Condolences: Maria Garcia
• We were saddened to learn that veteran major market radio personality and news anchor Maria Garcia passed away on Friday, July 12. She was only 52 years old.
Garcia began her radio journey after graduating from the University of Florida, landing a reporting job at WINZ/Miami. Other Miami on-air stops included WIOD and WHQT (Hot 105).
In 1996, Garcia moved to New York City as a newswriter for WCBS-AM 880. Two years later, she joined WBLI/Long Island alongside Steve Harper, forming Steve and Maria in the Morning, which quickly went to No. 1, and she remained there for eight years.
Garcia also spent time at WALK-FM and WKJY-FM/Long Island (where she was later reunited with Harper), before returning to New York to work for 1010 WINS, WNYW-TV (Fox 5) and a freelance stint at 77 WABC. Her most recent radio position was as a news anchor with WCBS-AM 880/New York.
Garcia was a two-time Gracie Award winner, and the recipient of other honors and awards.
Maria’s greatest joy was her son, Ethan, who she shared with her former husband, Andrew Kalb of Skyview Networks.
Maria loved her animals and fostered many kittens through the years as well. If you desire to do something in her name, you might consider a donation to the North Shore Animal League. [Special thanks to Shawn Novatt]
