Whitney Ellsworth, Journal stalwart and N.Y. publishing figure (1936 - 2011)

SALISBURY — A. Whitney Ellsworth, 75, managing partner, corporate secretary and treasurer of The Lakeville Journal Company, died Saturday, June 18, at his home in Salisbury. He is survived by his wife, Priscilla (Wear) Ellsworth. A full obituary appears on Page A2.Ellsworth was a resident of Salisbury, New York City and Grafton, Vt. He was the son of Esther (Stevens) and Duncan Stuart Ellsworth and the stepson of the late Sally Ellsworth of Salisbury. Ellsworth was the first publisher of the New York Review of Books and remained in that role for more than two decades. In his retirement, he took on work for nonprofits focused on human rights, including Human Rights First, Independent Diplomat, the Andrei Sakharov Foundation USA and Amnesty International. He also became an owner and, first, publisher and then managing partner of The Lakeville Journal Company in 1995 as part of an investor group led by William E. Little Jr. of Salisbury and New York City. The company publishes The Lakeville Journal, The Millerton News, The Winsted Journal and www.tricornernews.com, as well as a range of other special sections.Ellsworth was diagnosed in early 2011 with pancreatic cancer. Following his diagnosis, he devoted his time to his family and limited the extent of his work to Independent Diplomat and The Lakeville Journal Company. Ellsworth gave much energy and inspiration to the publications of The Lakeville Journal. His unwavering support for community journalism, and his belief in its importance to quality of life, helped define the mission of the Lakeville Journal publications. He was part of a team of ex-publishing executives and journalists (including two former Washington Post reporters) who came together to sustain The Lakeville Journal as a model of local or “pure” community, small town journalism in an age of media conglomeration and changing journalism standards.He wrote the company’s mission statement, as follows:Our goal is to report the news of our communities accurately and fairly, fostering democracy and an atmosphere of open communication.“It was a wonderful pleasure to have been a friend and associate of Whitney’s these past 16 years. He is irreplaceable,” said Little, chairman of The Lakeville Journal Co. LLC.“Although only five years my senior, Whitney was a kind of father figure for me. He had the highest journalistic and ethical standards: wisdom, balance, common sense.“At our Lakeville Journal Company meeting earlier this month, he was physically weak but, oh, that intellect, that spirit, strong as ever.”Editor and Publisher Emeritus Robert Estabrook said, “Whitney was a man of bold vision for The Lakeville Journal Company.”Salisbury First Selectman Curtis Rand said, “Whitney was everything one could hope for in a friend; loyal, creative, generous to all, and with a big and caring heart. Salisbury has lost a great one, and while it makes us very sad, we have learned from him and his spirit will always be here. Our best wishes to all of his wonderful family, and thank you, Whitney, for sharing so much with us.”“Whitney Ellsworth had a profound knowledge of journalism, publishing, human rights and global politics, which he shared freely with all,” said Lakeville Journal publisher and editor-in-chief Janet Manko. “He always inspired us to do better, to report on the Northwest Corner towns and their fascinating residents as vigorously as possible. His wisdom will continue to give all of us at The Lakeville Journal, and all those many whose lives he touched, the inspiration and a true model for living ethical and interesting lives. He gave us much that we will retain.”