Leonard J. Fisher, a highly respected old-school reporter who served as the Star-Ledger's assistant editor during its heyday, died June 18. He was 80.

Fisher was one of a number of journalistic greats who worked for the Star-Ledger during its golden era. Fisher retired just as the paper was winning the Pulitzer Prize, and a period of significant decline immediately followed.

He joined the Star-Ledger in 1968 after covering race riots in Detroit and Mayor Richard Daley in Chicago for United Press International. Fisher became a political reporter at the Statehouse and Trenton bureau chief, covering Governors Richard J. Hughes, William T. Cahill and Brendan T. Byrne, the New Jersey Legislature, and statewide and legislative campaigns. He covered future Governor Thomas Kean and future Chief Justice Robert Wilentz when they were freshmen in the Legislature in the late 1960s.

Fisher also reported on spectacular trials to combat corruption in politics and organized crime at the federal level.

Fisher later became local editor of the Star-Ledger in Newark and managed special projects for the state's largest newspaper.

He was the first Star-Ledger reporter on the scene after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

“Truly one of a kind. Lenny was a great asset to the paper no matter what position he held, whether it was as Trenton bureau chief or local editor in Newark, and there was no one who enjoyed a good time more than he did,” said former Star-Ledger reporter Guy Sterling. Goodbye, old friend. May the party go on, wherever you are.”

Fisher leaves behind his wife Susanna and his twin children Ari and Rachel.

Fisher's funeral will be held on Sunday, June 23, at the Riverside Memorial Chapel in Manhattan, followed by three days of shiva in Manhattan, New Jersey and the Hamptons.