Veteran WABC radio broadcaster Bernard McGuirk, who co-hosted the morning drive show Bernie & Sid, passed away at the age of 64.
McGuirk lost his fight with prostate cancer on Wednesday. Just a few weeks away from turning 65, the radio veteran.
“On behalf of John and Margo Catsimatidis and the entire #WABC family, it is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our beloved colleague and friend, Bernie McGuirk,” 77 WABC tweeted.
“We will all miss Bernie more than words can express.”
In an email to the 77 WABC team on Wednesday, Chad Lopez, President of Red Apple Media and 77 WABC, wrote: “Bernie was not just half of Bernie and Sid in the Morning; Bernie was part of the fabric of WABC.
“Listeners from all around the world started their days with Bernie’s charismatic wit and insight, from tragic events to American’s day to day life.
“His absence will leave a hole not just at WABC but across the airwaves and in America’s hearts.
“Bernie was our brother, our friend, our mentor, our colleague. We will all miss Bernie more than words can express.”
Prior to his time at 77 WABC, McGuirk worked for ten years as the man-on-the-street interviewer for Imus in the Morning on MSNBC TV.
In December 2007, the Imus in the Morning Show moved to WABC 77. McGuirk remained and took on the role of executive producer.
Bernie & Side, which airs on weekdays from 10am to noon, is co-hosted by McGuirk and Sid Rosenberg as of 2016.
The programme was so popular that, in April 2018, it was renamed Bernie & Sid in the Morning and moved to the morning drive time.
Rosenberg expressed his sorrow over the passing of his “partner and buddy,” expressing his gratitude for being “the guy next to him.”
“Bernie was both my friend and my partner. I was privileged to sit next to him because he was always the smartest person in the room, according to Rosenberg.
“I know our listeners join me in grieving the loss to radio and to New York.”
