NBC 10’s Art Lake dies

Legendary Southern New England broadcaster Art Lake has died, NBC 10 reported Sunday.

Lake passed away at midnight, surrounded by loved ones. He was 85 years old.

Lake spent more than 60 years at WJAR, beginning as a radio announcer in 1944 and making the transition to television five years later at WJAR-TV’s inception as a booth announcer, program host, news reader and ultimately, weather forecaster.

His interest in meteorology came about because Lake wasn’t satisfied with the quality of the forecasts he was getting from other sources when he was delivering the news.

“I would read this glorious forecast about sunny days and mild temperatures and would pack the station wagon and leave early in the morning for the beach with the kids and the wife and sit in fog for the rest of the day,“ Lake would say years later. “So, I decided I was going to find out what went wrong with weather forecasts.“

Over the years, he delivered forecasts on all of NBC 10’s news programs.  From 1985 and into the early 2000s, he forecast the weather on NBC 10 News Sunrise.

“Art was a lifelong learner who embraced all the technological changes that came our way.  He loved new computers, new forecasting tools and new weather toys.  I believe he truly found his calling and had many wonderful years on air loving what he did.  The affection was contagious and the audience returned the favor, loving Art as well,“ said NBC 10 President and General Manager Lisa Churchville.

Lake was honored by the New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in November 2004 with his induction into the Gold Circle. Members of the Gold Circle are recognized for their significant and long-term influence upon the broadcast industry.

Lake went on medical leave earlier in this decade, and then returned on a part-time basis to read the first birthday announcements on NBC 10 News Sunrise.  He retired about three years ago.

Lake is survived by his wife, Allie, three children and grandchildren.

Calling hours will be Tuesday at Tucker-Quinn funeral home in Greenville from 4 to 8 pm. The family has requested a private funeral service.