Jon Anderson

I cannot think of Jon without smiling. And I think of him often. The recent passing of Tribune photog Val Mazzenga brought up even more memories. All good.

John, I miss your humor..we need it

Pam: my thoughts are with you. How often I have thought of you and Jon these past few years. I can still see him sitting in Molly's workshop and reading at Jimmy's in Hyde Park.

Jon sat across the aisle from me in the Chicago Tribune newsroom for many years. He was often subjected to spirited telephone conversations I became engaged in whenever City Hall or school board officials called and tried to kill a story on deadline -- enough to infuriate any reporter worth his or her ink. I felt bad a few times exposing my closest colleagues to such rough-and-tumble exchanges, especially with Jon because he was so gentlemanly and courtly. But I was wrong: he loved...

In this time of celebrating and remembering beloved Jon, we would like to express our deepest sympathy and wish strength to family and friends.
David and Emily Zappulla

Dearest Pam: Thank you for bringing Jon into our lives. The kids adored him and so did we. He was such a joyful presence, always ready with a smile and a story. I half expected him to offer up a toast at Kiki's today. That's how strong his life force is. You and all of Jon's loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers.

jon was a natural gentleman with a wicked sense of humor and fun without being mean. we shared a lot of great talk and adventures. an excellent writer with high ethical standards, the best of him was his infectious twinkle. i miss him

As my older brother, Jon had a tremendous influence on who I am today. He broke the path for me in many ways, and over the last 25 years, we became very close. Jon always wanted to know where my pin was on the map, always was excited to hear and share what we were doing, and Jon was always in my corner.

If Jon could say something to us now, he would probably say in his always optimistic way, "I'm in a good place, and everything is just as it should be"

But I will miss...

Dear Pam: My heart weeps with Jon's passing, both for you and the many lives he touched. He was a gentle man -- a gentleman -- always quick with a kind word, a beaming smile, no matter what. I was shocked one day to see him slumped in a wheelchair, pale, being rushed out to the hospital because of a chemo reaction. I wouldn't have believed he noticed me, yet when he was set aright and soon back on his feet he approached me in our lobby and thanked me for my concern, assuring me he was doing...