Former Phila. publishing executive killed in Fla. accident

A former Philadelphia publishing company owner and his companion were struck and killed by a car Wednesday night while crossing the street near their new home in Deerfield Beach, Fla.

The Broward County Sheriff's Office said Philip J. Kendall, 85, former president of Packard Press, and Francine Freedman, 80, had moved to the beachside community near Boca Raton this week.

At 7:06 p.m., the two were crossing Ocean Drive at mid-block when a 2007 Lexus RX350 driven by Mark Lasman, 64, of Boca Raton, hit them, the Sheriff's Office said.

Ms. Freedman was pronounced dead at the scene by Boca Raton Fire Rescue. Mr. Kendall was pronounced dead at Delray Medical Center, the Sheriff's Office said.

No charges had been filed against the driver, who remained at the scene, a spokeswoman for the office said. Traffic homicide detectives were investigating.

Gina Carter, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff's Office, said a streetlight that was out may have played a role in the accident.

"It is dark, there is no cross street here, so it may have been difficult for the driver to see the couple as they crossed the road," she said.

A native Philadelphian who lived on Rittenhouse Square, Mr. Kendall was a graduate of Central High School, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and Gratz College.

He was president of Packard Press, owner and publisher of the Legal Intelligencer and Dorland's Medical Directory, and achieved great success in the printing and software industries, his family said.

Packard Press was sold to Curtis Publishing Co., where Kendall served as vice president in charge of the commercial printing division in 1967. He repurchased the firm in 1969 and resold it in 1978 to a NYSE company, Basic Resources.

Mr. Kendall also served as president and chief executive of Global Financial Press; chairman and CEO of GCOM2 Solutions; and vice chairman of the Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation.

He was known for his philanthropy. "He was a lifelong Philadelphian and a close and wonderful friend," said Sam Katz, the businessman, politician, and filmmaker. "This is very tragic."

Mr. Kendall was married for 57 years to Bunny Kendall, who died in 2012.

Surviving are a son, Richard; a daughter, Iris K. Berkowitz; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

A private graveside funeral is planned. Shiva will be observed in Philadelphia.

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