CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Jerry Taft, who worked as a meteorologist for 33 years at ABC 7 Chicago before retiring in January 2018, died Thursday night, according to the station. He was 77.
ABC 7 Chicago made the announcement Friday morning.
Jerry is survived by his wife Shana, their children Skylar and Storm and his other children Danna and Jay.
According to ABC 7 Chicago, while reflecting on his career before retiring, Taft said he did not intend to become a television meteorologist and became interested in meteorology from flying airplanes. He was a captain in the Air Force, in Texas when he took the local weatherman in San Antonio up for a publicity flight for the military. Then, that weatherman turned the tables and put Taft on the air.
"They said we'll give you fourteen-fifty. I figured $1,450 a month, bought new suits. It was $14.50 a show. Got my first check, it was $62," he said.
Jerry Taft was well-known for his sense of humor and his ability to laugh at mistakes.
His colleagues and other broadcast journalists in Chicago posted tributes on social media.
“I had the privilege of working along side him for more than 20 years,” FOX 32 meteorologist Mike Caplan said in a Facebook post Friday morning. “His infectious laugh and frequent giggles on air were legendary and endeared him to his audience and friends.”
ABC 7 reporter Roz Varon said in a Facebook post that she would also remember his “contagious laugh.”
“We’re sharing special memories this morning about this larger than life personality who had the largest heart,” Varon said in a post.