Jerry Taft, who served as a meteorologist at ABC7 for 33 years earlier than retiring in January 2018, died peacefully Thursday night time surrounded by means of family members. He was 77 years antique.
Jerry is survived by means of his spouse Shana and his children Skylar, Storm, Dana and Jay.
While reflecting on his profession while he retired from ABC7, Jerry said he did no longer intend to grow to be a tv meteorologist and became interested in meteorology from flying airplanes.
He changed into a captain within the Air Force in Texas whilst he took the neighborhood weatherman in San Antonio up for a publicity flight for the military. Then, that weatherman became the tables and put Jerry at the air.
"They stated we'll give you fourteen-fifty. I figured $1,450 a month, offered new fits. It became $14.50 a show. Got my first test, it changed into $62," he stated.
Jerry was well-known for his sense of humor and his ability to laugh at mistakes.
Jerry's colleagues at ABC7 shared some of their reminiscences of him Friday morning.
Tracy Butler recalled his work with the March of Dimes Sunshine Rally.
"Jerry was dedicated to the March of Dimes for decades and the Sunshine Rally turned into a rally in which we might all accumulate within the month of April and meteorologists from throughout the Chicago place would come together and supply a forecast for the huge March of Dimes Walk. Jerry spearheaded this for years and I recognize he is so properly respected via meteorologists on this town and across the united states as properly.
Roz Varon recalled his famous snort.
"I can hear it, I will constantly pay attention it. You will never forget it because it became so infectious. He'd begin giggling, you'll begin laughing and you couldn't forestall giggling," Varon said.
At the time of Jerry's retirement, Alan Krashesky stated "One of the things that makes him so approachable is the reality that he doesn't take himself critically, he's taking what he does professionally critically, never himself."
Also speakme while Jerry retired, Kathy Brock shared, "People keep in mind the snort, I don't know what number of newscasts there were where he receives the giggles."
Jerry got here to Chicago to work for NBC and moved over to ABC7 in 1984.
We extend our condolences to the Taft family.
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