Baltimore broadcast legend Tom Marr has passed away early Thursday after suffering a stroke from a recent surgery.
Marr, a long-time talk show host at Talk Radio 680 WCBM and former Orioles broadcaster, was 73.
WCBM announced earlier in the week that Marr would be on medical hiatus indefinitely after suffering the stroke. WCBM shared a statementfrom the Marr family announcing his passing:
“At 10:36 this morning (7/7/16) our family patriarch, Thomas Aquinas Marr passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. While we all prayed that he would make an eventual recovery, the severity of the stroke was insurmountable. We are thankful that he passed quickly and without suffering. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sharon, five children and 10 grandchildren.
We cannot convey how touched we were to hear and read the overwhelming words of support that came in over the past several days. We know he was special to so many throughout Maryland, as well as his audiences and media colleagues across the nation, and overseas. But he was even more special to us as a husband, father, and grandfather. He was our hero, and we will miss him dearly.”
Marr has been on Baltimore airwaves since 1967, beginning as a newsman at the former WFBR, a job he held for twenty years. In the 1970s, he made the move into sports broadcasting as a weekend sports anchor at WMAR-TV as well as a radio play-by-play announcer for the Orioles in 1979.
In 1988, he jumped behind the microphone at WCBM and has been the host of his own show ever since, working with his long-time executive producer Gary St. Ours, offering commentary on the news of the day, talking with local and national newsmakers, as well as dedicating a huge portion of the show to callers.
Marr frequented the “Talkers Magazine” Top 100 Radio Talk Show Hosts list and regularly appeared as a panelist on fellow broadcast veteran Richard Sher’s “Square Off” program discussing local and national news.
Marr proudly served as a member of the United States Marine Corps.
Sean Casey, fellow-host and WCBM’s Director of Programming and Operations, issued the following statement:
“Tom Marr was one of the founding fathers of WCBM. He helped to build this news-talk radio station into the force that it is today. He has had a successful career while, informing and entertaining listeners in Baltimore and worldwide. Tom was one of a kind and I considered myself to be very fortunate and blessed to have known him and worked with him. On behalf of the Mangione family and Station Manager Marc Beaven, our thoughts, prayers and condolences are extended to the Marr Family. Semper Fidelis, Tom.”
No services information has been announced at this time.
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