I don't know...seems all the good ones are going. I grew up listening
to Pat, Ben and most of the WCBS AM crew since the days of " Music
Til Dawn" way back when. Pat was a great role model for anyone in
radio, past and present. May his legacy live on. ( not to mention a
fine name! )

My Condolences to Pat's family and to all at WCBS radio.

Pat Alder
WRNN-TV
Kingston


Retired WCBS anchor Pat Parson dead at 65

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) - Retired WCBS news anchor Pat Parson,
whose rich baritone informed and entertained radio audiences in the
New York metropolitan area for 20 years, died Thursday at St.
Peter's University Hospital. He was 65.
The cause of death was cancer.
The Newark native, whose real name was Pasquale D. Tominaro,
joined the all-news station in 1970 and co-hosted the afternoon
news until he retired in 1990.
Much of that time, he shared the microphone with Ben Farnsworth,
who now co-anchors the morning news on business-talk station WBBR.
"In New York radio, Pat was a legend," Farnsworth said. "He
was an extremely talented perfectionist who always wanted to do
things to the highest standards."
Parson was " a radio god," to WCBS afternoon anchor Wayne
Cabot, who was 15 years old when he wrote Parson for advice on how
to get into broadcasting. Cabot still has the letter Parson wrote
back and said he followed the pro's suggestions.
"His flair, his debonair style, was like watching a guy in a
nightclub act," Cabot said.
In a statement, WCBS Vice President and General Manager Steve
Swenson said, "Pat was the consummate professional journalist but
also was a great radio communicator. His voice and style were
comforting and friendly, yet also authoritative and credible."
Parson graduated in 1960 from Seton Hall University, where he
worked at the school's radio station. He was inducted in WSOU-FM's
hall of fame in 1992.
He began his career as a newscaster at WNBF in Binghamton, N.Y.,
and later became news director at WERA in Plainfield.
After retiring from WCBS, Parson built and owned WQNJ-FM in
Stafford Township, where he also anchored the morning newscasts
until selling the station in 1996.
The Bridgewater and Beach Haven resident moved to Barnegat in
2001.
He volunteered his voice to Recording for the Blind and
Dyslexic, served with Big Brothers of Bridgewater and was involved
with Literacy Volunteers of Ocean County.
Parson is survived by his wife of 41 years, Dorothy; his
daughter, Dana; and her husband.
Visitation is scheduled for Monday at the Cusick Funeral Home in
Somverville. A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at
Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville.
Instead of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the
American Cancer Society of Somerset County.