‘Legendary’ NYC Fox Anchor Dies at Age 81

A man who was the voice of the news to New York City for more than 30 years has died.

John Roland, a longtime anchor of the “10 O’clock News” for WNYW, died Sunday at the age of 81, according to WNYW, which described him as “legendary.”

“He taught me about fairness in presenting the news. I felt his passion and respect for the audience who watched his nightly broadcast,” said Rosanna Scotto, the anchor for “Good Day NY.”

“Sitting next to John was always a learning lesson,” Scotto said.

“He took pride in his writing and his down-to-earth communicating. It was never more evident than anchoring next to him during the 9/11 attacks.”

Roland covered the news on both of America’s coasts during his long career. He worked for NBC in Los Angeles, later covering the Robert F. Kennedy assassination and the Charles Manson murder trial for KTTV.

Roland crossed the country to join WNEW-TV in 1969. The station was owned by MetroMedia at the time, but later became WNYW. Roland remained with the station until his 2004 retirement, according to Fox News.

Upon arriving in New York City, Roland was a political Reporter