SYRACUSE - Longtime local broadcaster Rick Gary is no longer be working in the studio that bears his name at Sunny 102 (WZUN). Station owner Galaxy Media Partners announced his departure today.
Here's the press release from Galaxy provided to CNYRadio.com today. (Links within the press release go to previous CNYRadio.com articles):
Syracuse, NY — Galaxy Media announces the departure of Rick Gary, a longtime and beloved radio host on Sunny 102, whose voice has been a staple of Central New York radio for decades. .
Rick Gary’s career in broadcasting spans generations of listeners who welcomed him into their homes, cars, and workplaces every day. Known for his genuine connection with audiences and his deep love for the community, Rick became much more than a radio host—he became a trusted voice and familiar presence across Central New York. Rick was inducted into the NYS Broadcasters Hall Of Fame in November 2009. Rick’s contributions will forever be part of Sunny 102 as we broadcast each day from the Rick Gary Studio.
“Rick Gary’s influence on our station and our community cannot be overstated,” said Ed Levine, CEO of Galaxy Media. “He helped define Sunny 102 for so many listeners and leaves behind a legacy of excellence in broadcasting.”
Galaxy Media extends its deepest gratitude for his years of dedication. While he will be greatly missed on the air, his legacy will continue to resonate with listeners and colleagues alike. Rick's therapy dog, Ringo, will be especially missed by the office staff.
Galaxy Media congratulates Rick Gary on an extraordinary career and wishes him all the best in this next chapter.
Two years after being added to the NYS Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Gary was inducted to the Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYS) Hall of Fame.
Prior to joining Sunny 102, Gary worked for years as at local ABC affiliate NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV), first as a weather presenter, then morning co-anchor for several years, before leaving the anchor desk in 2004 to become one of the original co-hosts of the talk show, "Bridge Street." For a few years, his "Rick's Recipes" cooking segments were syndicated to the ABC affiliates in Binghamton and Utica. Gary was already holding down afternoons at Sunny 102 and Utica sister station Mix 102.5 (WUMX) when he abruptly exited the TV station in 2009.
In addition to his time at Sunny 102 and NewsChannel 9, Gary has been on several other radio stations throughout Central New York. For years, Gary was one half of the edgy "Rick and Ron" morning show on WOLF until the station changed formats in 1981. He then hosted mornings on WSYR 570 until moving to Channel 9 in 1986. Immediately before joining Sunny 102, Gary spent some time co-hosting mornings with Kathy Rowe on Y94 (WYYY) until he was one of several people let go during one of ClearChannel's infamous waves of staffing cuts, in 2006.
Update 1/9/26: We've had an overwhelming number of comments supporting Rick and congratulating him on his career on the Facebook post sharing this article (see below). Some of those comments were included in Geoff Herbert's syracuse.com article on Gary's departure today; we appreciate the mention and link!
As for what's next, your editor monitored Sunny 102 during most of the 8AM hour today and there was no fill-in or replacement host: just songs, liners and commercials.
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