The Central New York radio community said goodbye to two broadcast veterans this year.
Gary Kennerknecht
A former Utica-Rome radio and television journalist, Gary died of cancer at the age of 52 on February 24 in the Bronx. Kennerknecht, who got his start in broadcasting as a jock at WOUR, moved on to news, first as news director at WRUN and WTLB, then switching over to television at WUTR. He later moved to Rochester and then to CBS television in New York City.
Chester Whiteside
Chet Whiteside was Syracuse's first black disc jockey, working at 570 WSYR and 1260 WNDR during the 1960s, the city's first black television commentator, and its first black firefighter. He also played a key role in establishing the Jerry Rescue monument in Clinton Square. Whiteside died on November 12 from cancer at 82 in Montrose, Alabama.
I am a distant relative of Mr Chester Whiteside. I have pictures of Chester, and my grandmother. They were cousins. He would come home and visit us every year. We miss you!