Jonathan B. Weir, 72, retired Daily News copy editor

I T DIDN'T TAKE a whole lot to make Jon Weir happy: his wife's spaghetti-and-meatballs dinner, a souvenir hat from a sporting event, a stroll along State Street in Media, watching his children play sports, a bike ride on the Ocean City boardwalk.

For a man who was exposed as a newspaper copy editor to the frequently painful reality of breaking news for 46 years, his need for simple pleasures was understandable.

Colleagues remember a devoted professional who could keep his cool even when big news was breaking on deadline, and could be counted on to get the copy out, clean and clear.

Jonathan B. Weir, a retired Daily News copy editor of 30 years, who held the same position at the former Philadelphia Bulletin and Newark Evening News, died Monday of complications of melanoma. He was 72 and lived in Upper Providence, Delaware County.

"He was dedicated, industrious, helpful and humorous," said former Daily News colleague Vince Kasper. "He was almost unflappable, a rare trait for someone who had to deal with mercurial personalities and deadline pressures."

"Talk about a guy with the perfect temperament for such a high-pressure job," said Daily News sportswriter Ed Barkowitz. "Jonny was the coolest guy in the room when it mattered the most."

"Jon Weir was the most unassuming, hardworking, witty, classy guy I have ever come across," said Daily News assistant sports editor Drew McQuade. "I often used him as a sounding board in my decision-making because beneath that quiet veneer lived an astute character who didn't miss much and kept negative thoughts to himself.

"When he retired, the place was still quiet where he sat, but lost a chunk of its soul."

"He was one of the really good guys, just fun to be around in the office," said sportswriter Mike Kern. "I always made sure he was one of the folks I brought a hat back for from any major golf tournament I covered. That seemed to make him happy, which made me happy. Sometimes it's the simple things you remember most."

"In a newsroom full of characters, Jon stood out for having character," said Ellen Gray, Daily News television critic. "Grace under pressure doesn't begin to describe how calm he could seem on even the worst nights on the copy desk. Just thinking about his smile makes me smile, even now."

For news editor Joe Berkery, Jon was both a colleague and a mentor. "Jon was one of the most universally beloved people I ever worked with," he said. "I spent more than 20 years with him at the Daily News and never once saw him in a bad mood. I missed him terribly when he retired. What joy it was to work with Jon."

Reporter David Gambacorta cherished Jon's calming influence. "The newsroom tended to be a manic place at night, especially when we got within minutes of the deadline and stories came in later and longer than expected," he said. "I was often one of the reporters adding to the last-minute chaos, but Jon never seemed to be stressed by any of it. He was always calm, reassuring and incredibly witty."

Daily News managing editor Pat McLoone remembers the time at the Bulletin when Jon and the late copy editor Peggy Higgins were brought in to oversee young college kids answering the phones and summarizing high school sports.

"The young people couldn't have asked for a more kind and gentle pair to offer guidance," Pat said.

Jon was born in Germantown to Helen and R. Donald Weir. The family moved to North Jersey and he attended St. Michael's Parochial School in Netcong. After graduating from Delbarton High School, he returned to Philadelphia and attended St. Joseph's University.

He began his career at the Newark Evening News as a copy editor. When it closed in 1973, he moved to the Bulletin. When it closed in 1982, he went to the Daily News. He retired in 2012.

Jon married the former Marijane Doyle in 1966. She was a girl from West Philadelphia Catholic High School for girls, at 45th and Chestnut streets, whom he met on St. Joe's campus. She was a spectacular cook, specializing in his favorite dish, spaghetti and meatballs. She died May 31.

Jon enjoyed all sports and especially liked to attend games played by his four children. He also liked to keep in shape and worked out at the YMCA in Upper Darby.

He enjoyed walking the short distance from his home in Upper Providence into Media and just strolling around. He didn't have to stop at its many restaurants because his wife kept him well-fed.

The family rented the same house on St. James Beach in Ocean City for 40 years. He liked swimming in the surf and riding his bike on the boardwalk.

While attending St. Joe's, he joined the Marine ROTC, but when he tried to enlist, he was rejected for flat feet.

His son Donald Weir, who performs stand-up comedy, said his father had a remarkable sense of humor and perfect timing.

"He could deliver one line and wreck the room," Donald said. "His humor was so dry and never forced. He could level the place.

"He was never a big talker, but when he did talk, he seemed always to have the perfect thing to say."

Besides his son, he is survived by two other sons, Joseph and Christopher; a daughter, Jennifer Glazer; a brother, Jeremy Weir; a sister, Lucia Weir; and six grandchildren.

Services: Funeral Mass 11 a.m. Friday at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 30 E. Franklin St., Media. Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Media.

Donations may be made to the Media-Upper Providence Library by visiting mediauplibrary.org.