In memoriam: Ron Jaye
March 14, 2021WPXI-TV reported this morning that former anchor/reporter Ron Jaye has died. The Buffalo, New York native was born in 1934 and was a veteran of local TV from 1965 until his retirement in 2000 – most of those years at Channel 11. His radio career began in his hometown and moved to Cleveland before Pittsburgh. Like so many he considered this his “adopted” home town.
Jaye was known for being a part of two Pittsburgh broadcasting “firsts”. He was the host of “Hotline” on then-WIIC – the first nighttime TV talk show, and the anchor for the first 5:30 p.m. newscast on WPXI. According to John Poister, between Jaye’s two stints at Channel 11, he went over to WTAE-AM (1250) and would show up at multiple news events each day for the station.
Mr. Jaye is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, four children, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
I had the pleasure of working with Ron at WPXI. Ron was a very nice man and a pleasure to work along side. I also had the pleasure of working with him and Chilly Billy on the morning news, It was like working on the set of Grumpy Old Men. They really liked each other and enjoyed needling each other. Ron, you will be missed. Thanks for helping shape my TV career!