Gary Papa Passed Away

Action News sports director Gary Papa, 54, died today at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, more than five years after telling viewers that he was losing his hair due to treatment for prostate cancer. His last appearance on Action News was May 13.

Mr. Papa, a Buffalo, N.Y., native who lived in St. Davids, joined WPVI-TV in April 1981 as a weekend sportscaster. His first story was a recap of a 76ers playoff game from Milwaukee. He became Action News' sports director in 1990.

Sunday's annual Run 4 Your Life, a Father's Day benefit on the Parkway for the Foundation for Breast and Prostate Health, will take on additional significance, and his colleagues are expected to attend en masse. Part of the event is known as the Gary Papa Challenge.

Mr. Papa, who was diagnosed with cancer in August 2003, became involved with the foundation in 2004, and "from that minute on, he was the co-chairman of the run," said founder Shelley Schwartz. "He's just been adorable and helpful and creative and up. When he did something, he did it 500 percent. He was a full-of-life fighter."

Full Story by Michael Klein


Relevant News :-

6abc is mourning the loss of Action News Sports Director Gary Papa, who passed away Friday, June 19, 2009. Remembering Gary Papa