Obituaries as of 4/27/2010   Patrick Wells Fagan / Pat Fagan Family and Friends mourn the loss of Veteran newscaster Pat Fagan who died of natural causes on Saturday April 24th in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was 83. A devoted father, grandfather and husband, Mr. Fagan was a native of Buffalo, New York and a graduate of the University of Buffalo. Fagan broke into radio in 1948 as a staff announcer on Buffalo’s WBNY. Later in Lockport, New York, he worked at WUSJ as a newsman and News Director. After leaving Lockport, Fagan joined WEBR in Buffalo where he was weekend News Editor and made WBEN-TV appearances in that station's dramatic series, The Clue. Pat joined Erie, PA's WICU-TV in 1952 and formed the news department; he was named News Director in 1953. If you grew up in Buffalo during the late 50s and early 60s you most likely watched one of the live music shows that originated from the Queen City. The TV Dance Party that was broadcast live from WGR-TV's Barton Street Studios was hosted by Pat Fagan, a WGR-TV announcer when the station signed on in 1954. Additionally, Pat over the years performed about every kind of assignment possible during his tenure at WGR-TV: he hosted various programs, The Dance Party as mentioned, and Anchored the 11 PM WGR news report for 12 years, building a solid reputation as a broadcast journalist. Other television credits included appearances in 1961 on NBC’s “Car 54 Where Are You” and CBS’s “The Defenders”. During the 1958 gubernatorial campaign, Pat was retained by the Nelson Rockefeller organization to appear in a series of radio and television programs promoting the Rockefeller cause. In 1968, Fagan made the move to New York City to become an announcer for NBC News and a broadcast Journalist for ABC News. He later joined WWRJ-FM in Southampton New York as News Director and progressed to become General Manager and Vice-President. Pat relocated to Palm Beach County, Florida and in 1981 became News Director at WJNO, WRMF & later WSBR. In 1988, he joined WDBF Radio in Delray Beach and helped promote the stations Big Band format before retiring in 1992 with 44 years of Radio and Television experience. Patrick Wells Fagan is survived by wife Judith Martyn Fagan, first wife Nancy DeCelle, children Chrissy Thornton Schmidt, Robin Schmidt, Katrina Thornton, Kathryn Fagan (Joseph Anselmo), Michael Fagan (Petrea Mainard), grandchildren Catrina Mazzanoble, Leah Schmidt, Amanda Schmidt, Kenny Schmidt, Michael W. Fagan and Connor R. Fagan.     Al Anscombe Western New York's broadcasting community has lost one of its last true pioneers.  Alfred E. Anscombe died this morning.  One of the rare "triple pioneers, he had almost 70 years of experience in the radio, television and cable industries as an on-air talent, manager and owner-operator. Anscombe was born in Buffalo, New York.  While still in high school he became the Junior Sports Announcer for Buffalo Broadcasting Corporation, which operated two Buffalo radio stations, WKBW-AM and WGR-AM.  After World War II, Mr. Anscombe rejoined WKBW-AM as Public Relations Director and in 1947.  He became a major player in that company, eventually rising to vice president and station manager of WKBW Radio. In that post, he presided over such widely diverse talents as Bill Mazur, Foster Brooks, Stan Jasinski, Jack Mahl and George "Hound Dog" Lorenz. He later was prominent in the management team that transformed KB into one of America's great rock radio stations. Anscombe's commercial and political efforts were paramount in securing the FCC license for WKBW-TV (Channel 7) in 1958.  After serving as  Vice President of WKBW-TV, he sold his ownership interest when the radio and television stations were sold to Capital Cities Broadcasting. Mr. Anscombe then joined John Kluge Enterprises (later known as Metromedia) as Executive Vice President.  After years of playing an integral role as executive vice president in the growth, development and success of John Kluge's multi-billion dollar broadcasting empire, Anscombe ventured in the ownership world himself, owning or being a partner in more than 40 radio, broadcast television and cable television companies, and cable networks throughout the United States.  During this time, Mr. Anscombe received construction permits and successfully built WBJA-TV in Binghamton, New York and WEPA-TV in Erie, Pennsylvania. He formed a Community Antenna Company known as Frontier Television, Inc., Amherst Cablevision, Inc., and Ken-Ton Cablevision, Inc.  After selling these cable television entities to International Cable, he formed First Columbia, Inc., a media investment group with radio and television stations throughout the country.  Anscombe has been active in many business organizations.  He is a founding member and Chairman Emeritus of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association.  He is past chairman of the Amherst Industrial Development Corporation and past president of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce.  Anscombe also served on the Board of Directors of: The Empire State Chamber of Commerce, Millard Fillmore Hospital, Daemen College, West Seneca State Hospital (a division of the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene), the National Board of the Episcopal Foundation for Radio and Television.  He has served as Chairman of the State University of New York at Buffalo Advisory Council, the Search Committee of Daemen College and the Canisius College Religious Studies Council. Click here for the Announcement in the Buffalo News.   Bernie Mitchell Marty Shimmel of Time Warner Cable passes along this note: Sorry to report the passing of longtime media rep Bernard Mitchell Friday, October 30th. There is a benefit in Bernard's honor planned on Saturday Nov. 14th at the Buffalo Convention Center (rm 106) from 6p-10p. Donation is $25 and proceeds are going to his family to offset medical bills that occurred during his illness.  If you are interested in attending or just want to make a donation you can make checks payable to "Buffalo Benefit for Bernard Mitchell" and send them to the address below. Thanks. Marty Shimmel Time Warner Cable, Media Sales General Manager 726 Exchange Street, Suite 522 Buffalo, NY 14210 Click here for the Announcement in the Buffalo News.   Gary Papa Word has been received that former WGRZ-TV Sports reporter Gary Papa has passed away at the age of 54.  Gary was born and raised in Buffalo.  He left town in 1981 to work in Philadelphia. Gary leaves behind a wife and two sons, and family here in Buffalo. Click here for the WPVI story.  Click here for the WGRZ story. Noah Krom Irv Weinstein sends along this note: A terrible tragedy has befallen our family.  Our grandson, Noah Jason Krom, was killed in a fall from an ocean front cliff near his apartment in Santa Barbara, California.  Noah, who was 22, was scheduled to graduate this weekend from UC Santa Barbara.  Funeral arrangements have not been completed. Thank you for your love and support. Irv & Elaine Weinstein Irv was just home recently and attended the Buffalo Broadcasters Media Mixer.  He spoke glowingly of his Grandchildren, and his Daughter Beth's run for a congressional seat.  Our thoughts are with both families at the difficult time. Dear Friends And Family, Elaine & I would like to thank you for the many kind expressions of sympathy we have received since the tragic loss of our grandson, Noah.  Many of you have asked if there is a special way to remember Noah.  Our daughter and son-in-law, Beth & Solly Krom, have established a foundation in Noah's name, to help needy young people to realize their dreams. Those wishing to honor Noah's memory, may do so by contributing to The Noah J. Krom Foundation c/o JCFOC (Jewish Community Froundation Of Orange county) Please make checks payable to: The Noah J. Krom Foundation c/o JCFOC and Mail to: The Noah J. Krom Foundation c/o JCFOC 1 Federation Way, Suite 210 Irvine, CA 92603-0174 Those wishing to make credit card donations, please contact Myrna Shields at the Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Orange County at (949) 435-3495. Thank you for your friendship and generosity. Irv and Elaine Weinstein Ron Arnold passed along this note: Fran Lucca’s son died in Florida over the weekend (6/06/09).  If you would like to send a card the address is: Fran Lucca 217 Grimsby Road Tonawanda, NY 14223 Earl Rowell We regret to inform you that Earl Rowell, a long–time former WIVB employee was deceased on Friday, July 17th.   Some of us will remember Earl from when he worked in the Engineering Department in the film editing and photo lab here at Ch. 4.  He retired back in 1988.  Earl was 86 years old. Visitation will be held at the Cichon-Borgosz Funeral Home, 4929 Broadway, on Monday 7/20 and Tuesday 7/21 2-4PM and 7-9PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to a funeral service to be held at the Lancaster Presbyterian Church, 5461 Broadway, Lancaster on Wednesday 7/22 at 10:30am. The family gratefully declines flowers. Our deepest sympathies go out to Earl’s wife, Jean and the rest of his family.  If you would like to send a card or note of sympathy, Earl’s family still lives at 46 Fairview Drive in Depew, 14043. Mary Jane Kelly   In a note to Larry Levite: You may not remember me; I am Martha (Kelly) Preckler, Warren Michael and Mary Jayne Kelly's daughter. I am writing to tell you that my mother died April 17th here in Ohio.  We are coming to town for a memorial service Saturday, July 25th and would very much love to see you. If you could let Mom and Dad's remainng pals know I would appreciate it.  There will be a piece in the obituaries in the Buffalo News Sunday edition for details.  Also, I will tell you here; 11 A.M. at Blessed Sacrament Church at 1035 Delaware Ave, Buffalo on Saturday, July 25th.   Edward Reilly   Edward Reilly worked at various broadcast outlets in his long career, including WJJL, WHLD, and WKBW-TV.  He is also the father of longtime Channel 7 Photographer/Reporter Ed Reilly, Jr.  Friends may call on Monday and Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the M.J. COLUCCI and SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY, where funeral services will begin on Wednesday, July 22th at 10:00 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM in St. Vincent DePaul Parish at St. Leo's Church, 2748 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY, with Rev. Robert Hughson officiating.  Click here for his obituary. Tim White Published on January 14, 2009 © The Buffalo News Inc. Timothy C. "Tim" White lost his long fight against kidney disease Tuesday. The highly regarded Buffalo actor, theater director and radio personality died unexpectedly in his Buffalo home, days after completing preview performances of "American Rhapsody" at MusicalFare Theatre in Snyder. He was 49. Mr. White received a kidney transplant in August but had recently undergone renewed dialysis treatments three times a week. He did not let that taxing routine affect his performances "in the least," said Randall Kramer, MusicalFare executive and artistic director, who said he was shocked by news of the actor's death. Mr. White played an older piano player who helps the central character, a pianist played by Kramer, understand how composer George Gershwin was influenced by such musical lions as Stephen Foster, Irving Berlin, W.C. Handy and Eubie Blake. In Friday's editions of The Buffalo News, reviewer Colin Dabkowski called the one-act revue "a tightly constructed exploration of the early 20th century's underappreciated and revelatory music" that also "serves as a poignant statement about the inextricable links among American musical, racial and political progress." "We had eight performances last week, and Tim did a great job," Kramer said. Mr. White acted in many locally produced plays over nearly two decades and was formerly artistic director of Buffalo Ensemble Theatre. He was co-founder and managing party of Business Theatre Works, which explored workplace scenarios for corporate clients, and had extensive experience in commercial voice-over work. Mr. White was a 26-year broadcast veteran who performed and played soft pop music during the 1980s and 1990s on WECK-AM 1230, where he consistently rated among the top 10 morning personalities. He also worked briefly at WJYE. He was an associate minister at Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Buffalo and a board member of Upstate New York Transplant Services. MusicalFare canceled performances of "American Rhapsody" scheduled for tonight and Thursday. The show will resume Friday. Jack Armstong   Below is a posting from his daughter taken from his MySpace page: Extremely saddening news... I hoped I never had to write... Our extremely amazing Dad and your friend Jack Armstrong aka John C. Larsh passed away yesterday March 22, 2008 at his home in North Carolina. I wish there was a better way to get the word out but this seems to be the fastest means of communication that he favored. If you knew him at all, you would know that he wouldn't want you to be sad for a moment. He would want you to remember all the good times, what he gave to radio and to the world. He would also want you to help fight to bring back the personality in radio if at all possible. He loved being a DJ almost as much as he loved being a father and that says A LOT. He put his blood, sweat and tears into both and never gave up what he believed in. He was honest, brave and could tell a joke like no other!! He was the best at everything he did and I know that he touched each and every one of us. I dont know how he would sign off this letter, maybe it would be "Yoooooouuuuurrr LLLlleeeadaaa!" or just straight up "Jack it up" either which way he would have done it better than anyone. Please remember him in all that you do, pass on kindness, be true to yourself and to those you love. If you have any questions, please email me at JackArmstrong08@gmail.com Very sad, devon larsh fischer ....Jack's middle daughter who loves him greatly - he was an exceptional person Jack was a radio announcer (DJ) for over 47 years!

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