WABC Boss: Bernard McGuirk, 'Fabric Of The Morning Show,' Laid To Rest

LONG BEACH, NY — Family and friends are giving a final farewell to popular radio personality Bernard McGuirk, whose funeral was being held Tuesday morning at a Long Beach church. He was 64.

McGuirk, who died of prostate cancer last week, grew up in the Bronx and called Long Beach home as an adult.

His other home was WABC Radio, where he manned mornings with co-host Sid Rosenberg since 2018.

"Bernie loved radio and shared his life with the listeners of New York City since 1986," WABC Radio/Red Apple Media president Chad Lopez told Patch. "He entertained millions across the country working with Imus in the Morning, making you laugh one moment and making you think the next."

McGuirk joined Imus, when he resurrected his career at WABC in 2007. Lopez said McGuirk, the show producer, often heard on the air, was an important hire for the station.

"His personality from day one dramatically improved the camaraderie and morale of the entire radio station," Lopez said.

The traits that Lopez saw from McGwirk were: comedy, including his famed take as the Cardinal, and professionalism, which Lopez called "immeasurable."

But the WABC boss saved the best for last: "His character [was] without peer."

"Bernie & Sid" this year was ranked the number one radio news talk morning show in New York, Lopez said proudly that "Bernie once again succeeded."

McGuirk is survived by his wife Carol and children Melanie and Brendan.

"He will be missed by all that knew him," Lopez said. "He is the fabric of the morning show. He is the morning show."

Lopez said WABC will have a special tribute show on Wednesday, Oct. 12, honoring McGuirk's life.