Edward J. Lynett Jr., publisher of The Scranton Times and The Times-Tribune for nearly 40 years and respected statewide as a visionary in the newspaper industry, has died. He was 84.
Renowned as a civic-minded businessman who supported charities and institutions, Lynett was just 24 when he took over as editor and publisher of The Scranton Times in 1966 after the sudden death of his father, Edward Lynett Sr. He and his brothers, George Lynett Sr. and William Lynett, made the family-owned newspaper the keystone of Times-Shamrock Communications, a media company that at one time owned and operated 43 print publications, including The Citizens’ Voice in Wilkes-Barre and The Standard-Speaker in Hazleton, and 17 radio stations across the country.
Their sister, Cecelia Lynett Haggerty, was a co-owner but declined to take a position in the company. She died in 2024.
Semiretired since 2005, Edward remained active in the family business for several years. In 2008, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association.
Details of Edward’s death were not immediately available. Check back for updates.
Timeline: A history of The Times-Tribune
Times-Shamrock ArchivesTom V. Nealon, seated, news director of the Times Radio Station WQAN, on roof of the Times Building on July 24, 1924, talks via ‘ether waves’ to the U.S.S. Shenandoah, the U.S. Navy’s dirigible, as it flies over Scranton. The Times erected a radio substance on the roof of its building and talked to the commander of the craft. Standing, from left are Adolph Oschmann, engineer and operator of WQAN; Edward J. Lynett Jr., assistant to publisher Edward J. Lynett; John D. Keator, Times managing editor; A.J. O’Malley, Times city editor; and Jim Walsh, Times cartoonist. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
Vice President Hubery Humphrey arriving at the Friendly Son’s of St. Patrick annual dinner on March 17, 1968. Standing behind VP Humphrey is Scranton Times publisher Edward J. Lynett Jr. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
Jean O’Hara Lynett starts the inaugural press run of The Sunday Times on Oct. 8, 1966. Joining her, from left: Frank Parry, Sunday Times managing editor; Frank J. Blewitt, general manager; Mrs. Lynett; Edward J. Lynett Jr., publisher and editor; and William R. Lynett, publisher. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
US Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass, center is presented photo taken during his appearance in Scranton as principal speaker at the Great Century Dinner on Feb.8, marking the official opening of the Scranton Centennial observance. Making the presentation yesterday in the Senate Office building in Washington DC, were Edward J. Lynett Jr, publisher of the Scranton Times, left, and Mayor James J Walsh, right. (ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE)
Bishop McCormick, second from right, head of the Scranton Catholic Diocese, observes operations of Associated Press teletype machines during a tour of the Scranton Times Building. From left, George V Lynett, copublisher, Msgr. James Timlin, Edward J Lynett Jr, copublisher; Bishop McCormick, and Rev. Joseph P. Gilgallon. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
Sister Elizabeth Maire standing, Mother Superior of Maloney Home in Scranton, outlines plans for construction of new home for aged at special reception for some 50 friends of Little Sisters of the Poor at the Scranton Club on September 12, 1972. The reception was hosted by Robert Keating, president of Parodi Cigar Corp. and Edward J. Lynett Jr., editor and co-publisher of The Scranton Times and The Sunday Times. Sisters announce plans for campaign to raise $2.6M for new residence to replace present home, built in 1908, which is unable to mew new safety regulations. From left: Mr. Lynett, Mr. Keating, Sister Elizabeth Marie, Sister Stephen Marie and Sister Clotilde. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
From left, Harold ‘Hal’ Marion Jr., former chief operating officer of Times-Shamrock Newspapers; Edward J. Lynett Jr., Times-Tribune publisher emeritus; George V. Lynett, Times-Tribune publisher emeritus; and William R. Lynett, Times-Tribune publisher emeritus, pose in the former pressroom at The Scranton Times. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
Marywood University Community Leadership Celebration honors the Lynett-Haggerty family with the “Lead On” award on Thursday, May 7, 2015. From left, William R. Lynett, Mary Jean Foley, Cecelia Lynett Haggerty, George V. Lynett, Sister Anne Munley IHM, Patricia Brady Lynett, Lynda Mulligan Lynett and Edward J. Lynett Jr. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
From left, William R. Lynett, Times-Tribune publisher emeritus, Edward J. Lynett Jr., Times-Tribune publisher emeritus, Cecelia Lynett Haggerty, partner of the The Scranton Times LP, Gerald Killian, newest member of the 50 Year Club, and George V. Lynett, Times-Tribune publisher emeritus. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
Officials of The Scranton Times and The Citizens’ Voice gather symbolically at the Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton International Airport to review final plans for Monday’s acquisition of The Voice by The Times, marking the first time newspapers in Northeastern Pennsylvania’s two largest cities have a common owner. From left: Harold F. Marion Jr., general manager of The Times-Tribune; Robert J. Manganiello, president and publisher of The Voice; Edward J. Lynett Jr., publisher of The Times-Tribune; Eberhard Faber, board chairman of The Voice, and William R. and George V. Lynett, publishers of The Times-Tribune. *TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
Edward J. Lynett Jr., Times-Tribune publisher emeritus, hands the championship banner to Dunmore’s #15 Maddie Martin and #5 Erika Bistran, after defeating Scranton Prep. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
Scranton Prep’s Tim Rose is embraced by his grandfather Edward J. Lynett Jr. after receiving his trophy for the game MVP after their victory over Holy Cross on Monday night. At right is Rose’s uncle Robert J. Lynett. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
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Times-Shamrock ArchivesTom V. Nealon, seated, news director of the Times Radio Station WQAN, on roof of the Times Building on July 24, 1924, talks via ‘ether waves’ to the U.S.S. Shenandoah, the U.S. Navy’s dirigible, as it flies over Scranton. The Times erected a radio substance on the roof of its building and talked to the commander of the craft. Standing, from left are Adolph Oschmann, engineer and operator of WQAN; Edward J. Lynett Jr., assistant to publisher Edward J. Lynett; John D. Keator, Times managing editor; A.J. O’Malley, Times city editor; and Jim Walsh, Times cartoonist. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)