Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Matthew H. Jr. MCKINNEY
Matthew H. "Matt" McKinney, retired publisher of The Guide, a Philadelphia neighborhood newspaper, died Sunday. He was 69 and lived in Media, Delaware County.
As publisher and editor, McKinney was associated with the Guide for 43 years. The Guide newspapers, headquartered at 2022 E. Allegheny Ave., have a total circulation of 51,000 and serve several neighborhoods, including Kensington, Richmond, Juniata Park, Fishtown, Bridesburg and Harrowgate.
"He was the epitome of the old-time editor who tried to do everything himself and really knew his readership and what they needed and wanted," said H. Robert "Bob" Jacobs Jr., whose father, H. Robert "Mr. J" Jacobs Sr., purchased the publishing firm from McKinney and co-owner Dorothy Mitosky in 1977. But McKinney continued to be involved with the newspaper throughout his ''retirement."
Bob Jacobs, who considered McKinney his mentor, said the former publisher ran his paper the way the newspaper business used to be, "a small town paper in a big town."
Judith A. "Judy" McKinney said her father "loved what he was doing and really cared a whole lot about the neighborhood. As long as I can remember, he was very involved with the community, trying to make the neighborhoods better."
He also was a prime mover behind the Miss Greater Northeast Pageant, and 14 years ago he and his wife, the former Elaine Wherry, founded the "Guide Gang," a large group of vacationers that took tours all over the world.
Originally from Millville, N.J., McKinney later lived in Cape May, N.J., West Philadelphia and Drexel Hill. He developed a lifelong interest in entertainment as a youngster when he sang on the radio on the old Major Bowes Amateur Hour.
He was a 1939 graduate of Upper Darby High School and graduated from Penn State University in 1943 with a degree in journalism. A stand-out pitcher and first baseman, he was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals and spent a year in the club's farm system before going into the service during World War II. He served first in the Marine Corps and later with the Army in the South Pacific.
In 1946 he joined the Guide as an editor and remained until 1954, when he left to manage his father's auto dealership in Chester until 1960. While at the dealership, he continued to handle promotions and serve as editorial adviser to the Guide and publisher Ralph Mitosky. He returned to the Guide in 1961 as Mitosky's partner and continued the partnership with Mitosky's wife, Dorothy, after Ralph died in 1964.
In a February 1989 interview for the newspaper's 50th anniversary edition, McKinney said, ". . . the many associations and friendships I've made have made it all worthwhile. I've never regretted one single day of coming to work at the Guide. The people of the area are like a family to me, and we've enjoyed our years together."
In a bylined article to be published this Thursday in a special edition of the Guide dedicated to McKinney, the newspaper's chairman, H. Robert Jacobs Sr., wrote, "Matt has touched the lives of so many people over the years; sports personalities, politicians, the folks on his trips, young ladies and their families in the pageants, his community in general. All will miss this genuine good guy.
"Goodbye 'Mr. Guide.' It was our pleasure.'
McKinney was a past president of the Optimist Club of Chester. A longtime handicapper, he was a member of the U.S. Harness Writers Association.
In addition to his wife and daughter Judith McKinney, he is survived by two other daughters, Bonnie Butler and Jennifer Dawn Rhood; a son, Matthew H. III; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Media Cemetery, Media.
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