NEW YORK, NY –
His was a life very well lived. Ernie Anastos passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Thursday March 12th at the age of 82.
To millions of viewers in the greater NYC area, he was an iconic TV news anchor and reporter, but first and foremost Ernie was a wonderful family man – a devoted father, brother and husband. He and his wife Kelly met at the New Jersey church where her father served as priest and spent an incredible 57 years together as husband and wife. They raised two children, Nina and Phillip and have four grandchildren.
Nowhere was he happier than when he was surrounded by family – whether on the sandy shores of a beach vacation, at a school play or baseball game, or in the warmth of their home for a holiday gathering.
Ernie Anastos was born in Nashua, New Hampshire and even as a child it was clear to all what his career path would be. He set up a realistic looking radio station in the family basement, complete with turntables and microphones and from there his future was set.
He was graduated from Northeastern University and began his career in radio in Boston. But television was calling. Ernie became a news anchor at WPRI in Providence, RI. From there he went to the nation’s number one TV market, anchoring Eyewitness News at WABC. Ernie quickly became a New York City institution, going on to work the anchor desk at WCBS, WWOR and WNYW.
After his TV career he went to Harvard Business School to study leadership and management. He authored two books and received 30 Emmy awards and nominations. He is a member of the NYS Broadcasters Hall of Fame. For decades he dedicated himself to dozens of charities and causes, not for recognition, but simply because it mattered to him.
There may not have been a more beloved TV news anchor in New York – Ernie greeted everyone he met with a smile, a pat on the back and words of encouragement. He delivered the news, but he also delivered positivity. He had cards he would hand out that said “Live a Life that Matters”. In his later years he did feature segments and a podcast entitled Positively Ernie on 77WABC and a nationally syndicated TV show called Positively America.
Ernie was also extremely proud of his Greek heritage, and loved being an integral part of the Greek community in New York. He was an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and a member of Leadership 100.
A man of faith, the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in New Rochelle was a home away from home for Ernie and his family.
It’s been said people will forget what you said and did, but will never forget how you made them feel. Ernie spent each and every day making people feel good about themselves and the world around them.
Ernie is survived by his loving wife Kelly, his daughter Nina and son Phillip (Aliki Tompros), grandchildren Billy, Callie, Katherine and Alexander and his sister Georgia Jordan.
He was pre-deceased by his sister Maria Sutherland and their parents Phillip and Alexandra Anastos.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in New Rochelle, NY at https://www.holytrinitynr.org/
May his memory be eternal!
[Obituary published on Legacy.com]
