Joel Daly, longtime ABC 7 anchor, remembered by colleagues, friends

CHICAGO (WLS) -- ABC 7 Chicago colleagues and friends and remembering Joel Daly, who worked at the station for 38 years, for his career, influence -- and yodeling.

Daly died Thursday morning after a long illness. He was 86.
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"Joel Daly was a household name in Chicago for nearly four decades. He represented the connection between generations of ABC 7 viewers," ABC7 President and General Manager John Idler said. "The bridge Joel created between the early days of the Flynn-Daly Report to what has become Eyewitness News set the standard for excellence. Joel will be missed for many things, chief among them was his proud Irish heritage that was always on full display during the station's St. Patrick's Day Parade broadcasts. Simply put, he is a legendary part of Chicago broadcast news history. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family."



Roz Varon said she had many happy memories of Daly.



"He just had a personality the size of Alaska," she said.
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He enjoyed being on stage and walking in St. Patrick's Day parades, Varon said Thursday.



Tonja Babich said Daly helped break down barriers among people.

Jim Rose said Daly welcomed him with open arms when he joined ABC 7 Chicago in 1982, and called Daly "one of the great titans of broadcasting."




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When Daly announced his retirement, fans across Chicago talked about how much he meant to them.



Meteorologist Tracy Butler remembered their "Soap Scoop" segment.