Longtime news anchor who a lot of us grew up with dies at 82. https://nypost.com/2026/03/12/us-news/ernie-anastos-legendary-nyc-news-anchor-dead-at-82/
It's been a LONG time since I lived in NY, but I remembered that name. Then I clicked that link, and yeah.... RIP
He was by all accounts a terrific guy - very upbeat and positive about things. He was a constant presence on NYC TV news for decades. RIP. In a completely meaningless coincidence, he passed away at the same hospital at which my granddaughter was born last week.
That's an old Italian superstition that when somebody dies, someone becomes pregnant or a baby is born. Well, I mean, DUH, but it is always kind of freakish when it happens in your family. "You see that?!" "Yes, I see that." They are the most pagan culture in the world. I always laughed at the absurdity of my Grandpa wearing a medal of his patron saint, St. Jerome, with his crucifix and cornicello all on the same chain. Well, the truth is, it really isn't as absurd as it appears.
Long line of great NY local news anchors dating back to the 1960's: Bill Buetel...Roger Grimsby....Chuck Scarborough....Gabe Pressman.....Roseanne Scamardella (the inspiration for Gilda Radner's SNL "Roseanne Roseannadanna")....Michele Marsh....Jim Jensen...Jerry Girard....Pat and Bill Harper....John Roland...Bill Mcreary....Bill Jorgensen....and tons more !! Good memories, I remember them watching them when I stayed up late on the weekends or Friday nights.
