Charles Peitz, 62, former Inquirer editor

Charles Peitz, 62, of Haddonfield, a career journalist and former editor at the Inquirer, died of complications from lung disease on Wednesday, Aug. 23.

A Haddonfield native, he graduated from Haddonfield Memorial High School in 1973, and then graduated cum laude from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1977 with a degree in English. After college, he returned to the area and embarked on a career as a writer and editor based in Philadelphia, beginning with a 10-year stint at the Farm Journal, where he rose to features editor for one of its national magazines.

From 2000 to 2007, he worked at the Inquirer, where he started on the copy desk and eventually was promoted to fine arts editor. He also worked at the Wall Street Journal, where he edited stories in the Personal Journal section.

By his own account, his proudest literary achievement was co-editing a book on St. Peter's Church, the 250-year-old Episcopal church at Third and Pine Streets.

"Charlie was incredibly knowledgeable on virtually any given subject; literature, fine art, architecture, antiques, music, history. He could do the New York Times crossword in 40 minutes with his Mont Blanc," said friend Sharyn Masullo, wife of Al Masullo, his best friend since third grade.

His near-daily visits to their home were announced with "Hey ho!" and a knock at the door as he came in,  dressed in his trademark  preppy attire, helping himself to a glass of wine, Sharyn Masullo said.

Mr. Peitz cared for his mother, Helen, who suffered from Parkinson's disease, for the last 10 years of her life, moving back to his childhood home to be with her. Shortly after she died, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He had stopped smoking seven years ago.

He is survived by sisters Anne Remetz, Mary Kelly, and Judy Patel, and nieces and nephews. Two sisters, Susan Peitz and  Beth Notredame, died earlier.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated last week.