By Dan Murphy
The people of Westchester lost one of their great media giants and legendary figures when the announcement came that William O’Shaughnessy passed away at the age of 84.
“Dear Friends, Bill O’Shaughnessy, our beloved paragon and inspiration, who always amplified and enriched our lives, has died at his home today in Litchfield, Ct. He was 84.
“Services will take place at Lloyd Maxcy, 16 Shea Place in New Rochelle, N.Y. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony of Padua, 49 South Street, Litchfield, CT. (Details to follow).
“The O’Shaughnessy family and his WVOX & WVIP colleagues invite you to join us in celebrating Bill’s long, “sweet,” generous, and highly impactful life,” wrote The O’Shaughnessy Family in making the announcement on May 27.
O’Shaughnessy is a former president of the New York State Broadcasters and chairman of Public Affairs for the National Association of Broadcasters. He presently serves as chairman of the Guardian Fund of the Broadcasters Foundation of America and operates two of the last independent stations in the New York area: WVOX and WVIP.
He is the author of “many books, including AirWAVES” (1999) … “It All Comes Back to Me Now” (2001) … and “More Riffs, Rants and Raves” (2004.
O’Shaughnessy owned and operated 1460 WVOX, which served as the Westhcester talk show spot for any mover and shaker in the county. This reporter had the honor of being asked to volunteer as a talk show host and had an hour program for more than five years. I enjoyed every minute of it, and enjoyed it most of all when Mr. O was in the offices. He used to tell me, “You have something special,” after many of my shows. That made me feel special; years later I wondered if he said that to everyone.
O’Shaghnessy’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in New Rochelle were also memorable and a must visit for all of his friends, which numbered in the thousands.
His friendship with former Governor Mario Cuomo were legendary, as the Governor would pay a visit to the WVOX studios for a chat, usually on the air. One of Mr. O’s last columns was titled Don’t Mess with the Mario Cuomo Bridge. wvox.com/2021/11/15/dont-mess-with-the-mario-cuomo-bridge/
Westchester County Executive George Latiimer said, “Bill O’Shaughnessy was a giant in Westchester. He single handedly kept WVOX as the last local media voice…. he was the chronicler and compadre of the famous in this County. He knew them all, interviewed them all. He waxed poetically about them all. He reported on their comings and going’s, and especially their final departures. He knew, perhaps alone, the impacts they had on his home Heath. And now, he is with those he knew so well from Hughie Doyle to Alfred Benedict DelBello, hoisting a beverage in remembrance of a Westchester now gone, but not yet forgotten. Rest In Peace, Bill.”
One thing about O’Shaughnessy that showed his true independence was his ability to endorse candidates from both parties. One year he supported Astorino for County Executive, and then it was Latimer.
He was the only person I knew that loved and admired Mario Cuomo and Andrew Cuomo, but later in his life was 100% in support of President Donald Trump.
Mr. O’s favorite column, many of which I had the pleasure and honor of printing in our Rising newspapers and online at YonkersTimes.com was titled Why Trump Won. yonkerstimes.com/why-trump-won-updated/.
He leaves behind many words, and columns and books, and many recorded episodes from his beloved radio stations. And many may not know that O’Shaughnessy also owned and operated an FM Station, 93.5, which has been playing Carribean Music for some time.
I’m trying to remember the last time I saw Mr. O. It was too long. God Bless you William O’Shaughnessy. And thanks for all that you gave to the people of Westchester.
