\u201cRick Gary\u2019s influence on our station and our community cannot be overstated,\u201d Galaxy CEO Ed Levine said in a statement. \u201cHe helped define Sunny 102 for so many listeners and leaves behind a legacy of excellence in broadcasting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Born and raised in Syracuse, Gary worked at 11 radio stations in four different states, including Y94FM (WYYY-FM), Sunny 102 and Utica\u2019s Mix 102.5 (WUMX-FM). He started his career at WBKY while attending the University of Kentucky.<\/p>\n
CNYRadio.com<\/a> reports his early days included the \u201cRick and Ron\u201d morning show on WOLF in the 1970s until the station changed formats in 1981. He also hosted mornings on WSYR 570 AM before joining WSYR\u2019s television station in 1986.<\/p>\n He spent 23 years on NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) from 1986 to 2009, serving as a weather presenter and morning news anchor; co-hosting \u201cBridge Street Live\u201d from 2004 to 2009; and sharing \u201cRick\u2019s Recipes\u201d cooking segments.<\/p>\n Gary was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYS) Hall of Fame in 2011.<\/p>\n \u201cRick\u2019s contributions will forever be part of Sunny 102 as we broadcast each day from the Rick Gary Studio,\u201d Galaxy Media said in a press release. \u201cGalaxy Media extends its deepest gratitude for his years of dedication. While he will be greatly missed on the air, his legacy will continue to resonate with listeners and colleagues alike. Rick\u2019s therapy dog, Ringo, will be especially missed by the office staff. Galaxy Media congratulates Rick Gary on an extraordinary career and wishes him all the best in this next chapter.\u201d<\/p>\n syracuse.com | The Post-Standard has contacted Gary for comment.<\/p>\n A large number of fans and colleagues shared tributes to Gary on social media.<\/p>\n \u201cI was probably 14 when I first heard him on the radio, 1973 or so. It was 2 guys actually, one a deep voice guy named Ron, and the funny frantic guy Rick. Rick and Ron in the morning,\u201d Syracuse radio veteran Jim Reith<\/a> wrote on Facebook. \u201cI had the privilege of working with Rick as one of his morning news anchors on WSYR. He taught me by example what a professional is. I\u2019m happy to honor him this way while he\u2019s still alive and kicking!! If a stranger asked me about Rick I\u2019d say this: Dude is legend. Dude is icon. Dude IS SYRACUSE RADIO.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcellence in broadcasting indeed,\u201d said Kathy Rowe, Gary\u2019s former co-host on Y94FM. \u201cWishing you the best Rick. Fill up the tank and go enjoy yourself. What an incredible run.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Rick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/C2HR7HPKLZE67KSBHN6INIZLM4.JPG\")
In this 2017 file photo, Rick Gary, right, and his dog Ringo visit Syracuse University’s Bird Library to encourage students to take a break from studying and pet therapy dogs from The GO Team Therapy Dogs of Syracuse. Michael Greenlar | syracuse.comMichael Greenlar | syracuse.com<\/p>\n