Longtime CBS New York reporter John Slattery dies at 63 [video]
NEW YORK — A longtime CBS New York reporter who covered major stories for more than 30 years and was one of the most recognizable faces in local television has died.
John Slattery died unexpectedly Wednesday night after suffering what his family believes was a heart attack at his Westchester home, his daughter said. He was 63.
Slattery was a four-time Emmy Award winner and covered some of the biggest stories of the last century, according to his official company bio.
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He was one of the first reporters on the scene after the World Trade Center attack and covered the commercial airplane water landing on the Hudson River and Superstorm Sandy. He also reported from Saudi Arabia, Ireland and the Vatican.
"He was a deeply religious man with an irreverent sense of humor. But he was happiest when he was with his family and especially his three granddaughters," said his oldest daughter, Kathleen Hirdt. "We will miss him dearly."
Known for his dry wit, kindness and humility, Slattery had gone to work on Wednesday as usual. Friends and colleagues took to social media Thursday expressing their shock and grief.
CBS 2 President and General Manager Peter Dunn praised Slattery's reporting in a statement Thursday morning.
"We are saddened by the unexpected passing of our friend and colleague John Slattery. During his nearly 30-year career at WCBS, he was great at reporting the news and was someone we counted on to cover big stories for us, both here in New York and around the world," he said.
Dunn offered his colleagues' thoughts and prayers to Slattery's wife, three children and grandchildren.
Slattery joined the channel in 1984 and previous worked as a general assignment correspondent for WABC-TV in New York and a reporter and weekend anchor for WCAU-TV in Philadelphia. A funeral will be held Tuesday in Larchmont.
