If you listen to The Michael Kay Show with any regularity, chances are you have heard the name Harry in Englewood Cliffs. The 99-year-old New Jersey resident was a frequent caller to the show and was a favorite of Kay, Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg. He passed away last week.
Harry Chakmakian was the caller’s real name. Kay revealed on Twitter that a member of the Chakmakian family emailed him to give him the sad news.
“Listeners to @TMKSESPN know Harry was a cherished part of our family and he will be terribly missed. Condolences to his family,” the host wrote. “RIP my friend.”
“Sorry to hear about the passing of Harry from Englewood,” La Greca added. “It was an honor to know him. We miss you and your passion for life.”
Peter Rosenberg paid tribute by posting a video of Chakmakian’s appearance on the show when it originated from the Jersey Shore.
La Greca and Rosenberg spoke to Harry on the air just last week. At that time, Chakmakian revealed he was sick and had been struggling to get better, but promised that he was “gonna beat it.”
Michael Kay admitted to The Bergen Record that news of Harry Chakmakian’s death brought him to tears.
“Over the years we all grew to love him and adored when he called in,” Kay said. “We became even closer to him when his son would drive him to our remotes and he would gleefully come on the air with us. He was that special, and we should all aspire to live life the way he lived it. He will be terribly missed by all of us.”
