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This is from Howard's wife:
This is Howard’s wife, Amy Nathan. I am heartbroken to share my brilliant and extraordinary husband passed away late last night surrounded by those he loved most, his family. He valiantly battled pancreatic cancer for 2 years. He couldn’t have been adored more. The world was a better place because he lived in it and wrote about it.
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Ted Erfer
Ted Erfer
Gerry Katz
Thanks for passing along this sad news. I had been wondering why we stopped seeing him on MSNBC during this, the height of the political season, with Howard’s sweet spot – a presidential election – coming up in just a matter of months.
Howard always spoke proudly about his formative years in Pittsburgh as well as his early years as a journalist in Louisville. I began to pay attention to his work when he became a frequent guest on PBS’s “Washington Week in Review”. I admired dozens of his cover stories for Newsweek and later his online stories for the Huffington Post.
But once he landed at MSNBC, he became more than a writer – he became one of the most insightful of their many on-camera contributors. And it wasn’t just his incredibly perceptive insights – it was the clever and pithy way in which he expressed them. I always looked forward to his appearances, and was in awe of the fact that one of our classmates rode in limousines while interviewing seven Presidents of the United States!
I was sorry that he had to cancel his attendance at our 50th reunion at the last minute, because I was looking forward to teasing him about the time he want from jet-black hair to a distinguished gray in the space of a week, what I interpreted as his acceptance that we are all getting older now and that his TV persona wouldn’t be hurt by that fact.
I never knew him as a husband and father, but I’ll always remember him as a truly nice guy in high school who went on to a great career as a writer and TV commentator.
David Sobel
Though not unexpected, the loss of Howard is still shocking. He managed two "extra" family-filled years after an incidental but devasting diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. We were friends and Marquis brothers since elementary school and summer camp. I just saw this tribute to Howard and wanted to share:
Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of Howard Fineman
Great journalists hold a mirror up to the Nation to reveal the good, the bad, and the truth of who we are as Americans. For four decades, Howard Fineman was one of the great journalists of our time.
His career covered much of mine, and throughout the debates over big issues and historic campaigns, I respected his reporting and insights whether I agreed or disagreed with him.
Where I believe all politics is personal, Howard believed all journalism is personal. No matter the issue or who he was interviewing, he always thought about the people he grew up with in his cherished Pittsburgh, or where he first started as a reporter in Louisville.
He understood the fundamental role of journalism in our democracy is to illuminate, educate, and shed light. With his focus on the facts and ability to tell a great story, it’s no surprise why Howard was a trusted and respected voice for millions of Americans, and true friend and mentor to countless colleagues.
Above all, in the decades we knew each other, it was clear that his love of family was the greatest story he ever told. Jill and I send our love to Amy and their children Nick and Meredith. We know what it’s like when canc
er takes away the life of a beloved family member. But no matter where you are, he will always be with you.
Iren Pober
Howard's brilliance,insightfulness, was never in question. When I came to Colfax entering in the fourth grade from the Yeshiva School I was lost at sea. Howard quietly helped this shy awkward overwhelmed kid feel the love. While I was never a Marquis Howard continued to reach out in a manner not typical of adolescents who had their own circle of friends, I have no doubt that sweet nature was in his DNA throughout his illustrious career. His family and friends were blessed to have his aura shine upon them. My sincerest condolences to all who knew him as family, friend or colleague.
IJ Pober
JoAnn Weinstein (Erfer)
One of the most striking things about the tributes to Howard is how everyone says how kind he was. Chris Hayes called him a mensch and indeed he was. He had time for everyone. He was brilliant and astute, but most of all, he was kind. Bless his heart.
Edward George
Very very sorry to hear about Howard. He was the best of us!!!
Daniel Arnheim
While I never got to know Howard as much as I would have liked during our years at Colfax and Allderdice I have followed his career and listened to his insightful truisms in the political sphere over many years since then. While we all miss him already in so many different and personal ways, and send our best wishes to all his family members who he cherished so much, and thankfully with whom he was able to spend together his precious last years, for family is the most important thing there is in life, let us all be thankful for having had the opportunity and privilege to know such an honorable, intelligent, and caring person, as conveyed in the messages from all who knew Howard, including friends, coworkers, politicians,and even the President. He will be missed by all for an eternity. Bless him and his family, cherish the memories of the good times and the positive impact Howard had on the cultural and political life in the US through his work and his interpersonal relations with all.