Sad news: A Floridian I cared about for decades is near death tonight:

[Radio_Lady]

If you are from South Florida, chances are you know him too. If the name Skipper Chuck means anything to you, please read on for the update.

He was a TV announcer who became a big star in Dade and Broward County. He retired this year at age 80, but apparently is near death in a hospice in Boca Raton, Florida, tonight. The last contact I had with him was in 1987, but this news has come like a bolt out of the blue. I had hoped he would retire and get to enjoy the fruits of his labors. But, sadly, that was not to be. His wife, also 80 years old, is one of few visitors he has during these last days of his life. (He was unable to have children due to contracting malaria in the South Pacific during World War II.) Here's the link:

http://origin.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/broward_county/13477348.htm

Here he is, in younger days, with me. I was his co-host from 1957-58 at WTVJ, Miami, Florida. Peace, love and happiness and hope you traverse the end game of life without pain. RIP, Skipper...