Harry Harrison Signs Off
• UPDATED: We are saddened to report that one of New York radio’s most legendary morning hosts, Harry Harrison, lovingly known as “The Morning Mayor Of New York,” died Tuesday, January 28, 2020 after a long battle with multiple health issues. He was 89 years old.
Harrison was only radio personality to have worked as a “WMCA Good Guy” and a “WABC All-American,” followed by a stint at WCBS-FM/New York, where he worked until his retirement on March 19, 2003. FYI: The last remaining original “WMCA Good Guy” is 92-year-old Burt Sherwood, who lives near Sarasota, FL.
Through the efforts of many of his friends, family and fans, Harry was finally inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame on November 8, 2019. He’s pictured here holding a DVD of his Hall of Fame induction, which was personally presented to him at his New Jersey home by Art Vuolo early last month. Needless to say, he loved seeing it!
Harry is survived by his daughter Patti and son Patrick. Two other children, BJ and Michael died in 1996 and 2017, and his wife, “Pretty Patty,” died in May 2003, three months after he left WCBS-FM.
In closing, Art would very much like us to share Harry’s trademark saying, which goes, “Every day should be unwrapped like a precious gift… that’s why they call it the Present.” Special thanks to “Radio’s Best Friend” — and our good friend, Art Vuolo for this information and photo of Harry. WCBS-FM has posted a tribute to Harry, and Art has thoughtfully assembled a video link to some of Harry’s work on WCBS-FM.
The Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2019, (l-r): Jim Rome, Sean “Hollywood” Hamilton, Ryan Seacrest, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Joe Madison, Kevin Ryder, Gene “Bean” Baxter, Harry Harrison and John Tesh. [HOF photo credit: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Radio Hall of Fame]
