John Joseph Lane, a distinguished print and television journalist, died on April 22, 2020, after a long illness. He was 89 and had lived in Rye, N.Y. since 1972.
He received a Jesuit education at Loyola Academy and Loyola University-Chicago, from which he also received an honorary degree from the School of Journalism in recognition of his principled service to the field. Mr. Lane served in the Army infantry during the Korean War before embarking upon a 45-year career in print and then broadcast journalism.
He began at Chicago’s City News Bureau, moved to the Chicago Daily News where his father had retired as City Editor, then moved to CBS News where he eventually became senior producer of the “CBS Evening News” with Walter Cronkite for seven years. Lane joined CNN in 1990 as a senior producer on a news magazine show and a few years later became vice-president and senior editorial producer for the show. He retired from CNN in 1998.
A daily communicant, Mr. Lane was actively engaged in the Catholic Church and a generous contributor to its social ministry. For decades, he and his family helped prepare Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the guests of P.O.T.S., a soup kitchen and shelter for the homeless and hungry in the Bronx, on which he also served as a board member.
Mr. Lane was distinguished by the delight he took in making and sustaining friendships over many, many years, no matter the distance or circumstance. His kindness and selflessness made a lasting mark on all who had the privilege to meet him.
He was the beloved husband of Elizabeth June, proud father of Clem, Virginia, Diana, and Mary Kate, and even prouder grandfather of Harrison, Currie, Gwen, Jack, Finn, Teag, Kinzie, Billy, Maggie, and Mary Ita.
Donations in John Lane’s memory may be made to P.O.T.S., 2759 Webster Avenue, Bronx, New York 10458, www.potsbronx.org.
