WASHINGTON (AP) -Dave Fay, a reporter for The Washington Times, who recently earned recognition in the Hockey Hall of Fame for his coverage of the sport over more than two decades, has died. He was 67.
Fay died at home with his family in Monrovia, Md., on Tuesday night after a 12-year battle with cancer, the newspaper said Wednesday.
“He has been a big part of hockey in Washington for so many years. It’s difficult to imagine a game being played in this city without Dave Fay there to write about it,” Times sports editor Mark Hartsell said.
“Dave was a dedicated reporter who really loved his job and the sport of hockey. He also was as tough as they come. As sick as he was, Dave never stopped working, never stopped volunteering for assignments. He just couldn’t wait to get back to his beat.”
Fay worked at The Washington Times from its start in 1982, mainly writing about the Washington Capitals. He also covered the Washington Redskins in the early 1990s.
“Dave was very knowledgeable,” Capitals general manager George McPhee said. “The most important thing was he just loved the game. He loved the sport.”
As quick with a quip as he was with insights about hockey, Fay won the Professional Hockey Writers Association’s Elmer Ferguson Award in May and will be honored permanently with a plaque at the Hall of Fame. His family will be presented with the award in November.
“I never thought a guy who was so grumpy could be so loved. He had a crusty exterior but he was one lovable guy,” said McPhee, Washington’s GM since the 1997-98 season. “Irrespective of how much he beat us up in the paper the day before, we always looked forward to seeing him the next day.”
Born March 5, 1940, in Brighton, Mass., Fay served in the U.S. Navy before beginning his journalism career in 1961. He worked at newspapers in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island before joining The Washington Times.
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