A Legend Lost: Toronto Mourns The Death Of Mark Dailey
Posted December 6, 2010 3:53 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
He was “The Voice” of Citytv, but for those who knew and loved iconic CityNews reporter and anchor Mark Dailey, it was his heart and soul that will resonate loudest.
After a long battle with cancer, Dailey passed away on Monday at Sunnybrook hospital. He was 57.
His storied career in news began in 1968, when he worked as a radio and television reporter in Ohio. He went on to cover the mean streets of Motor City as a radio anchor and crime reporter in Detroit before heading over the border and joining the CHUM family in 1974.
The rest, as they say, is history, with Dailey becoming one of the most recognizable, trusted, and revered newsmen in the city.
Before he reported on crime, Dailey was stopping it. He walked the beat as a police officer in Ohio, where he was born on August 1, 1953.
He also spent time working as a truck driver, and had various roles in the private security and music business — experiences which provided fodder for the many tales he was known to entertain friends and acquaintances with.
He joined CityPulse in 1979, serving as an assignment editor and producer before taking over the Crime Beat for more than ten years, often donning his signature fedora.
His no-nonsense, baritone delivery was an instant hit, and he went on to anchor CityPulse and CityNews, celebrating his 30th anniversary with the station in 2009.
“It’s a pretty tough day for us at Citytv,” said Vice President of News, Tina Cortese. “Mark was quite literally the voice of Citytv and CityNews, he was smart and funny, a brilliant broadcaster and a producer’s dream. He made it easy, he was the consummate professional.”
“He has the biggest, softest heart,” added longtime colleague and friend Kathryn Humphreys. “He knew when you were feeling down about something and he would ultimately make you laugh. I learned so much from Mark Dailey, he helped me in so many ways, in my career, in life, he was an incredible man.”
After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2004, Dailey went on to became a brave and vocal advocate for men’s health, raising awareness and money through his unyielding efforts.
In September, 2010, Dailey announced on air that he was suffering from kidney cancer. A few short months later, the cancer spread to his lungs, ending his remarkable life.
Dailey is survived by his wife, Kim, and his daughter Nicole.
Public Visitation Details:
Newbigging Funeral Home
733 Mount Pleasant Rd.
416-489-8811
Wednesday 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm
Thursday 2pm- 4pm and 7pm-9pm
Public Celebration of Mark’s Life:
Yorkminster Park Baptist Church
(1585 Yonge St./2 blocks north of St. Clair/NE corner of Yonge & Heath)
416-922-1167
Saturday December 11th-1pm
Donations can be made in his memory to Prostate Cancer Canada.
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