Former Sun-Times columnist Raymond Coffey dies

Raymond Coffey, a former Chicago Sun-Times columnist, has died at age 79.

His daughter Brigid Zachar says Coffey died Friday in Tucson, Arizona, of complications from Alzheimers disease.

Coffey, a native of Racine, Wisconsin, was an editor and columnist at the Sun-Times from 1987 to 1999. He was also a managing editor and editorial page editor.

He began his career in 1953 and worked with newspapers including the Chicago Daily News and the Chicago Tribune before coming to the Sun-Times.

Sun-Times columnist Steve Huntley says Coffey brought a keen insight to his journalism with intelligence and fairness.

Coffey is survived by his wife, six children and 12 grandchildren.

Private funeral services are planned.