Broadcasting veteran Harry Porterfield left an enduring imprint on the industry. His passion to storytelling, especially in his well-praised piece “Someone You Should Know,” helped bring many otherwise anonymous Chicagoans with exceptional stories to the forefront. We delve into the life of this Midwest media icon, recalling his dedication to journalism, his impact in Chicago and beyond, and his untimely death.
Harry Porterfield Obituary
Members of the family have said Veteran Harry Porterfield, a host on WLS-TV, passed away on Monday morning after a brief illness. He was 95 years old. His loved ones have said he passed away quietly in Munster. Chicago Monument, family burials. He was 55 years old and left behind a wife, four kids, a granddaughter, and a great-grandchild.
Take a look at below tweet:
Rest in peace to beloved Chicago reporter Harry Porterfield, who passed away this morning at the age of 95. pic.twitter.com/0PW66ryqqY
— Mayor Brandon Johnson (@ChicagosMayor) October 23, 2023
Harry Porterfield Jr. was born on August 29, 1928, in Saginaw, Michigan, according to family members. His early work experience was in broadcasting. Porterfield covered the 10 o’clock news in Michigan at 11. Porterfield left WBBM for WLS-TV in 1985, after 21 years there. After 24 years with WLS-TV, he made the switch to WBBM in 2009. In May of 2015, she turned 87.
Family members praised his work, including his article “Someone You Should Know,” which he published in the Midwest. The impact of Chicago’s regional story distribution went far beyond the city limits. Due to a lack of staff, weekend news coverage at WBBM was minimal.
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Harry Porterfield Cause of Death
The passing of this media icon due to natural causes has left a chasm in the lives of many. His family made sure that his followers and well-wishers could pay their respects by announcing his death and providing details on the circumstances of his departure as well as a scheduled public memorial gathering in Chicago.
The outpouring of sympathy from people all around the country confirmed Porterfield’s prominence. He was a popular figure, not just a weekend anchor or feature presenter. His sincerity and commitment to uncovering forgotten tales from Chicago’s backstreets made him a household celebrity.
Check out the below tweet about Harry Porterfield death:
Harry Porterfield the longtime news anchor and reporter for WBBM-TV Channel 2, and WLS-TV Channel 7, in Chicago, has passed away. He was 95. I will discuss my memories of watching him on TV in the next episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast. It’s coming soon! R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/cik7xxhOCn
— Vanished Chicagoland (@vanishedchicago) October 23, 2023
How Will Porterfield’s Absence Be Felt in the World of WLS-TV?
The broadcasting industry was rocked by the tragic news of Porterfield’s death on the morning of October 23, 2023. The longtime host of WLS-TV, who was 95 years old, passed away after a brief illness. The news of Porterfield’s death sent shockwaves through the tight-knit media world as well as the millions of viewers who had welcomed him into their homes for decades.
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