AUBURN -- For many years, he hosted The Polka Party on Auburn's WAUB 1590. He was so well-liked in the community, he also spent plenty of time behind the mic off-air, as the emcee of many local events. Donald Fordham passed away on Wednesday at the age of 82.
A former producer of Fordham's, who wishes to remain anonymous, recalls The Polka Party also enjoyed a brief run in "syndication" of sorts, being carried by WSFW in Seneca Falls from 1997-1999. The producer also shared some of his memories:
Don had a very distinctive, familiar, gravely voice and was one of the kindest, most personable men around. I met him at WAUB in the mid 70s when I was part of an Explorer Post at the station. The WSFW version of The Polka Party had him voice-tracking and I would produce the show with all the records and his playlist he would leave me. (The number of polka records he had was astonishing!)
As of Saturday morning, the Auburn Citizen has a brief obituary posted online, with few details other than stating that calling hours will be held on Monday from 6-8pm at the Nicpon Funeral Home at 234 State Street in Auburn. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, the SCAT Van service or DeSales Regional High School in Geneva. (If a more detailed obituary follows, we'll update the link if necessary.)