Gabe Pressman has died at the age of 93. The veteran reporter covered politics in New York for six decades, becoming one of the most iconic and peerless voices on the scene. Reporters, journalists, politicians, and New York natives were among those who were publicly mourning the loss of Pressman on Friday morning. At the time of his death, he was still serving as a senior correspondent for NBC 4 New York.
Pressman's legendary career
Pressman became a reporter for the local NBC radio affiliate in 1954 before moving over to television in 1956. He was one of the first few pioneering reporters to move out of the studio and onto the street to find stories, quotes, and information.
He covered the sinking of the SS Andrea Doria in 1956, the arrival of The Beatles in the United States in 1964, and the assassination of Malcolm X. He was also present during the aftermath of the assassination of several other major figures of the time.
Pressman showed up at other major events during his time with WNBC, including Woodstock. One of his last public appearances was covering the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in New York a few months ago. Over the course of his career, his best-known work was his coverage of the city's homeless population and their day-to-day struggles. His work earned him eight Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and an Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in journalism.
Peers remember Gabe Pressman
People from across the various areas Pressman affected paid tribute to him on Friday morning. WNBC president Eric Lerner called it "an incredibly sad day" in a statement. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio - who didn't have the opportunity to clash with Pressman as much as previous mayors - sent out condolences via Twitter.
New York Press Club president Steve Scott also paid tribute to the journalism legend in a heartfelt statement.
Keith Olbermann, Katy Tur, and Rosanna Scotto also paid homage to their peer on Twitter. Various television and radio networks also used their social media platforms to generate a discussion about Pressman following conversations on their traditional media platforms about his legacy and impact in the industry.
He leaves behind a wife, four children, and eight grandchildren. He also leaves behind a legacy as a dogged journalist, always making an incredible effort to get the story first and get the story right, setting up the television news industry for decades.
