David Diaz, Award-Winning TV Reporter For WCBS, WNBC, Dies David Diaz, Award-Winning TV Reporter For WCBS, WNBC, Dies
David Diaz, Award-Winning TV Reporter For Wcbs, Wnbc, Dies David Diaz, whose career as an award-winning TV news reporter in New York City spanned three decades, has died. He was 82.  His death, which occurred last week, was announced on Monday, March 17 by WCBS. Following 15 years with WNBC-TV, Diaz spent 12 years at CBS New York. A native of Puerto Rico, Diaz relocated to upper Manhattan during his childhood. He earned a master's degree from Columbia after graduating from City College and Fordham Prep. In a video tribute to Diaz, CBS Evening News co-anchor Maurice Dubois described Diaz as "a reporter's reporter," and a quintessential…
NY Fire Chief, Dad Killed In Train Collision Will Help Others Live: 'Friend To All' NY Fire Chief, Dad Killed In Train Collision Will Help Others Live: 'Friend To All'
NY Fire Chief, Dad Killed In Train Collision Will Help Others Live: 'Friend To All' Tributes are flooding in for a young assistant fire chief and dad who was killed in a train collision in upstate New York. Cattaraugus County resident Zach Golley, 24, was gravely injured when his truck was struck by a train in the village of Ellicottville on Thursday, Feb. 27, according to fire officials. Golley, a dedicated assistant fire chief for the Ellicottville Volunteer Fire Department, was found trapped inside his vehicle when his own fire crew arrived on scene, the agency said. They worked tirelessly to free their brother in service and rushed him to the hospital, where he succumb…
Former Flight Attendant, Philanthropist Killed In NY Murder-Suicide Remembered As 'Sweet Soul' Former Flight Attendant, Philanthropist Killed In NY Murder-Suicide Remembered As 'Sweet Soul'
Former Flight Attendant, Philanthropist Killed In NY Murder-Suicide Remembered As 'Sweet Soul' Loved ones are mourning the loss of a former American Airlines flight attendant and dedicated philanthropist from New York whose generosity and commitment to service touched countless lives. Eileen Clifford, 68, was shot to death by her husband, William, at the couple’s Islip home on Parsons Landing early Thursday, Feb. 20, Suffolk County Police said. Mr. Clifford, 73, then fatally shot himself, as Daily Voice reported. Investigators had not revealed a motive for the shootings as of Friday, Feb. 21. Colleagues and friends remembered Eileen Clifford as a beacon of warmth and compassion, kno…
NY Firefighter, Father Of 3 Killed In Blaze Remembered As 'Fearless, Dedicated' Public Servant NY Firefighter, Father Of 3 Killed In Blaze Remembered As 'Fearless, Dedicated' Public Servant
NY Firefighter, Father Of 3 Killed In Blaze Remembered As 'Fearless, Dedicated' Public Servant A firefighter and father of three who was killed battling a blaze in upstate New York is being remembered for his dedication to the community. Binghamton Fire Department member John “JR” Gaudet, 40, was gravely injured when a wall collapsed during a firefight on the city’s Main Street on Wednesday night, Feb. 12, the agency confirmed. The 11-year veteran of the department later died at Wilson Hospital. Two other firefighters were hospitalized and listed in stable condition. Gaudet’s untimely loss sparked a flood of tributes, including from his brothers and sisters in uniform. “JR embodied…
Sudden Death Of NY/CT Hockey Coach Cliff Gillman Spreads Shock Sudden Death Of NY/CT Hockey Coach Cliff Gillman Spreads Shock
Sudden Death Of NY/CT Hockey Coach Cliff Gillman Spreads Shock The hockey community across Connecticut and New York is reeling following the sudden loss Cliff Gillman, a coach who loved ones say leaves an indelible mark on young players. According to his obituary on the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home website, Gillman, 41, of Cheshire, "spent his final day doing what he loved with those who he loved most: playing with the children in the neighborhood, spending quality time with his family, coaching, and playing hockey." Born in Queens, NY, Gillman was raised in Mahopac, NY, and attended Trinity-Pawling Prep School, in Dutchess County, having developed …
Olympic Icon Dick Button Dies In NY: Figure Skating Great Was 95 Olympic Icon Dick Button Dies In NY: Figure Skating Great Was 95
Olympic Icon Dick Button Dies In NY: Figure Skating Great Was 95 American figure-skating icon Dick Button, who earned an Olympic gold medal twice and continued his career as an analyst on television broadcasts, died in Northern Westchester on Thursday, Jan. 30, according to reports.  Button, a longtime Westchester resident and twice Olympic Champion, died at his North Salem residence at the age of 95, The New York Times reported.   The figure-skating icon won his gold medals in 1948 and 1952 and was also a five-time World Champion. He was the only non-European man to become European Champion. Button became well-known for being the fi…
Former Knicks Exec Chris Bernard Dies, 47 Former Knicks Exec Chris Bernard Dies, 47
Former Knicks Exec Chris Bernard Dies, 47 Chris Bernard, a Bergen County, NJ dad, former Adelphi University Hall of Fame basketball star and CEO who once worked in a VP role for the NY Knicks, has died. He was 47 years old. As of Wednesday, Jan. 8, more than $220,000 had been raised on a GoFundMe launched to support Chris' wife, Amanda, and their three children, Roman, Jude, and Chloe, of Englewood. The campaign was launched by Dan Gladstone, a senior VP at the National Basketball Players Association. Chris' death spread shock and sadness through the basketball community on a national level. Tom Thibodeau on the passing of…
Remembering Matthew H. King: A Legacy Of Service And Brotherhood In Albany County Remembering Matthew H. King: A Legacy Of Service And Brotherhood In Albany County
Remembering Matthew H. King: A Legacy Of Service And Brotherhood In Albany County Family and friends are remembering a 38-year-old Capital Region man who died earlier this month. Senior Master Sgt Matthew H. King of Sand Lake in Rensselaer County died on Thursday, Dec. 5. According to his obituary, he was born August 17, 1986, in Albany, to David and Denise King.  Matt attended Averill Park schools, graduating in 2005 surrounded by lifelong friends.  When he was 18, he joined the New York Air National Guard, building another family with the 109th Airlift Wing. He graduated from Schenectady Community College with a degree in firefighting and later became …
NY 17-Year-Old Who Died During Hockey Game Was 'Beacon Of Sportsmanship, Leadership' NY 17-Year-Old Who Died During Hockey Game Was 'Beacon Of Sportsmanship, Leadership'
NY 17-Year-Old Who Died During Hockey Game Was 'Beacon Of Sportsmanship, Leadership' The Long Island hockey community is mourning the loss of a rising young star who collapsed and died during a charity game over Thanksgiving weekend. Connor Kasin, age 17, lost consciousness at around 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, during an intermission at the Town of Oyster Bay Skating Center on Stewart Avenue in Bethpage, Nassau County Police said. Kasin, a senior defenseman at Massapequa High School, was given CPR by bystanders and, later, Nassau County Police medics. He was pronounced dead a short time later at a hospital. Earlier Report: ID Released For Massapequa HS Senior Who Died…
ID Released For NY HS Senior Who Died During Hockey Game ID Released For NY HS Senior Who Died During Hockey Game
ID Released For NY HS Senior Who Died During Hockey Game The identity has been released of a hockey player who died after losing consciousness during a hockey game on Long Island overnight. Click here for a new, updated story: Long Island 17-Year-Old Who Died During Hockey Game Was 'Beacon Of Sportsmanship, Leadership' The incident occurred around 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Town of Oyster Bay Skating Center on Stewart Avenue in Bethpage, Nassau County Police said.  Connor Kasin, a senior defenseman at Massapequa High School, collapsed during an intermission of a hockey game, prompting bystanders to begin CPR. Nassau Count…
Beloved Deputy Sheriff In Region Known For His Love Of Dinosaurs Dies Beloved Deputy Sheriff In Region Known For His Love Of Dinosaurs Dies
Beloved Deputy Sheriff In Region Known For His Love Of Dinosaurs Dies A much beloved deputy sheriff in the region known for being a part-time comedian and his love of dinosaurs has died after a courageous battle with cancer. Nicholas Gasparre, age 36, a lifelong Hudson Valley resident, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, Nov. 15, surrounded by his family, friends, and his brothers and sisters of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office. He began serving the country as a volunteer firefighter for the Beekman Fire District. According to his obituary, he also served in the US Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Lance Corporal during the war on terrorism. …
Van Ritshie, Beloved MTA Announcer, ‘Voice Of Hudson Valley’ Radio Host, Dies Van Ritshie, Beloved MTA Announcer, ‘Voice Of Hudson Valley’ Radio Host, Dies
Van Ritshie, Beloved MTA Announcer, ‘Voice Of Hudson Valley’ Radio Host, Dies If you’ve ever hopped a train or scanned a radio in these parts, chances are good you’ve heard the velvety smooth voice of Van Ritshie. The longtime Hudson Valley radio host and voiceover artist, whose voice guided MTA commuters for decades, died Sunday, Nov. 3, at a Dutchess County hospice center in Poughkeepsie. He was 80 years old. “The Family of Van Ritshie is sad to announce that ‘The Voice of the Hudson Valley’ has passed on to be with Jesus after a brief illness surrounded by family,” reads his obituary. After earning his communications degree at Queensborough Community College in Q…