Gerry Molina, 61, newspaper editor

MERRIMAC -- Gerry F. Molina, a longtime journalist with the Newburyport Daily News and Eagle-Tribune newspapers, died Friday at Country Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Newburyport after a two-year battle with melanoma. He was 61.

Mr. Molina graduated from Harvard and took a job as city hall reporter for the Daily News in 1964. A Merrimac resident, he joined the Eagle-Tribune in 1973 and held several posts, including metro editor, Sunday editor, and managing editor. He became editor of the Haverhill Gazette in 1998, when that paper was acquired by Eagle-Tribune Publishing Co.

Mr. Molina leaves his wife of 30 years, Margaret Jean Hay; and a son, Christopher.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday.