Joe Dignan, a freelance journalist for several LGBT and mainstream publications – including the Bay Area Reporter – died unexpectedly Thursday, June 29. He was 49.

Mr. Dignan apparently suffered a heart attack; he collapsed at a gym in San Francisco last Thursday afternoon. A spokesman at the San Francisco Medical Examiner's office said that an investigation was continuing.

A native San Franciscan, Mr. Dignan decided to become a journalist later in life, said Phil Bailey, who had known Mr. Dignan since they were young.

"It was an unexpected career," Bailey told the B.A.R. last week.

Mr. Dignan was a general assignment reporter for the B.A.R. from 2001-2003. Among other assignments, he covered the LGBT Community Center's early financial troubles. The center's budget deficits ultimately led to the resignation of former director Brian Cheu and the hiring of Thom Lynch.

"Joe was the first reporter to talk to me when I became the director of the center," Lynch told the B.A.R. "There were many times that Joe frustrated me, and we often didn't see things in the same light. However, he was always kind and had an obvious passion for the community. He will be missed."

In addition to the B.A.R., Mr. Dignan wrote for the San Francisco Bay Times , the San Francisco Bay Guardian , Gay City News (New York City), and the Washington Post.

"He was so proud to see his byline in the Post ," Bailey said.

At the time of his death, Mr. Dignan had just covered the Compton's Cafeteria commemoration in San Francisco for Gay City News .

"I'm terribly shocked," Gay City News editor Paul Schindler told the B.A.R. Tuesday. Schindler said he had spoken by phone with Mr. Dignan last Thursday morning. "Joe had been a significant contributor of ours for the last three years."

Schindler said that Mr. Dignan covered events in San Francisco for the New York City paper, including the same-sex marriages permitted by Mayor Gavin Newsom and the ensuing court fight. He also covered the Democratic convention in Boston in 2004.

"He was a very solid citizen," Schindler added.

Community members also mourned his death.

"Joe was a great gentleman and a wonderful reporter with a keen interest in LGBT politics in San Francisco as well as the queer movement," said Cecilia Chung, deputy director of the Transgender Law Center.

Prior to beginning work as a reporter, Mr. Dignan volunteered for then-Supervisor Mark Leno, now a state assemblyman.

Several people, including this reporter, spoke with Mr. Dignan at the Pride media party June 22. He seemed happy and well.

Mr. Dignan is survived by his daughter, Mary, 13, of whom he was very proud. Bailey said that Mary, who frequently stayed with Mr. Dignan in the city, was now with family outside the Bay Area.

"I was very touched by the great love he had for his daughter," Lynch said. "You could see what a great kid she is, and she will clearly be a grand legacy for him."

"Joe was quite a character," Leno told the B.A.R. "He was often irreverent. But Joe was always passionate in his devotion to his daughter Mary, to his writing, and to saving his beloved St. Brigid Church."

"I know he was a devoted dad," Schindler said.

Siu-Mei Wong, another of Mr. Dignan's friends, said he was "very dedicated to the gay and lesbian community and always on top of issues."

One of Mr. Dignan's other passions was working for the preservation of St. Brigid Catholic Church, and he was chair pro-tem of the Committee to Save St. Brigid Church. The church was sold last summer to the Academy of Art University. The committee is seeking to have the building landmarked. Mr. Dignan worshipped at St. Brigid as a youth and his daughter had been baptized there. Wong also was involved in the preservation effort. In fact, it was Wong who had been trying to get a hold of Mr. Dignan when she called his cell phone and someone else answered. That's when she learned of his death.

Mr. Dignan graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and Thacher High School in Ojai, in Ventura County. After college, he worked in theater as a stage manager and did other technical jobs, Bailey said.

Bailey said that a memorial might take place later this month.