CNN.com 'Godfather' dies at 63 after battle with cancer
February 11th, 2011
07:44 PM ET

CNN.com 'Godfather' dies at 63 after battle with cancer

Jon Petrovich greenlighted funding for CNN.com in 1994 and became known as its "Godfather," a title he relished as the site became the most-read news site in the world.

Petrovich, a former CNN executive, died Thursday in New York after a battle with cancer and diabetes. He would have turned 64 at the end of this month.

"Jon was a big presence at our company and in the media industry," Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide, said in an e-mail sent to CNN staff. "He was a builder, an innovator and a journalist, first and last."

Petrovich was known for his impeccable tailored suits, his optimistic outlook on life and solid news judgment. He hobnobbed with the likes of Ted Turner. He just as easily struck up conversations with interns, entry-level staffers and the rank-and-file.

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soundoff (13 Responses)
  1. Guido

    Godfather? I think not. More like the "the arm"

    February 11, 2011 at 8:15 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Lilo

    Lol!

    February 11, 2011 at 8:30 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Lilo

    I'm sorry he's dead, but why is this in the blogs? It's not really newsworthy to anyone other CNN. Unless we are to grieve because he helped to establish CNN blogs in the first place.
    Oh, that's it. Got it.

    February 11, 2011 at 8:38 pm | Report abuse |
  4. drap

    @ Guido I thought we resolved your issues.Now now play nice... .

    February 11, 2011 at 9:53 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Fortleavenworthkansas

    is he related to the military? So many are related. Meanwhile the u.s. Army is in deep digrace as all their choosen abusers are falling worldwide which leads to trials like a trail of breadcrumbs to worlds formost abusers of children and nations. wow.. I can see why they are worried. Nuremberg is a picnic compared to these daylight revelations. armies are never good leaders.. They are only servants of democratic evolution. When they lead then abuse is rampant as is now obvious.

    February 11, 2011 at 10:19 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Whynoreaganatmtrushmore

    Thank you,someone gets it!wipe out all taxes,drill for oil off calif,and lets get Reagan on Mt.Rushmore

    February 11, 2011 at 11:26 pm | Report abuse |
  7. raven

    Huh ? I feel like Im in the wrong place...oh well...my thoughts go out to his family. Also his CNN colleagues,sounds like he was a good man .

    February 12, 2011 at 2:26 am | Report abuse |
  8. juliemartine12

    Companies do give out samples. They are looking to put their products in potential consumers' hands. They wouldn't do it if it didn't work one of the place that always worked is "123 Get Samples" search online

    February 12, 2011 at 7:04 am | Report abuse |
  9. Lisababy

    Always sad to hear of some good creative innovative persons death. it sounds as though he will be greatly missed. my condolences for his friends and family. also thanks to him for this venue that brings many people together as we try to sort out the news and vent about issues we all have a stake in. Rest in peace sir we'll take it from here.

    February 12, 2011 at 9:17 am | Report abuse |
  10. banasy

    Condolences to his family.

    February 12, 2011 at 10:36 am | Report abuse |
  11. Agent 420

    I hope he had some purple larry in his last days to ease the pain... .

    February 12, 2011 at 5:38 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Mmmmm

    About time CNN...you know

    February 12, 2011 at 6:11 pm | Report abuse |
  13. R.Tucker

    What is "purple larry"?

    February 13, 2011 at 6:18 pm | Report abuse |
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