Ed O’Brien, longtime reporter and morning anchor at Albany CBS affiliate WRGB, has died. He was 59, and had cancer, reports the Albany Times-Union.
“Ed was quite simply one of the best broadcast journalists the Capital Region has ever seen,” said WRGB anchor Greg Floyd. “As both a friend and a newsman, Eddie had wit and charm, intelligence and charisma. Ed had gravitas.”
“Ed O’Brien was the smartest newsman I have ever worked with, a detail guy who lived for the big story and then followed it all the way to its conclusion,” said WRGB anchor Liz Bishop. “And in an era of big personalities in local news, he still managed to set himself apart with his trademark gruff exterior that hid this funny, warm, genuine guy who embraced life. He was a great team player who generously shared his knowledge and humor. Ed held himself to a very high standard, and that made all of us around the better for it.”