Philadelphia TV sports anchor Gary Papa was declared dead after a prolonged and challenging battle with prostate cancer. Gary Papa was 54 years old at the time of his death.
Gary Papa used to me my favorite sports announcer and had his own unique lovable style of telling the commentary. He is one of the last greats in my opinion. They don’t make ‘em like that any more.
Gary Papa became an employee of Action News in back in 1981 and he did his time there as a news sportscaster. After working on the job for nine years, he was promoted as the sports director. He deserved it truly.
Gary Papa is now survived by his wife, Kathy, and two sons.
Gary Papa Funeral
Gary Papa’s funeral arrangements are pending but as and when the family schedules it, I will post it here.
Were you a fan of Gary Papa and are you going to miss him? Write your condolence messages below and show some love.
Was this guy related to NY Giants radio announcer Bob Papa?
Gary will be truly missed. he was a great guy, fun loving and his personal courage in the face of cancer will never be forgotten. A giant. God bless you Gary
Gary Papa was an Early friend of Mine…. We Played in Little League Baseball when we were 12 years old together…I was a pitcher.. He was a catcher….for the Pirates….We Came in Second Place…
We then went on to Canisius High School… 2 years behind Tim Russert…Gary had an easy smile and was always laughing back then…and he had / sponsored one of the greatest pool parties Amherst NY ever knew….You were great when you were little baby.!…and you just got better…Love DramaTom
Gary is my cousin. I knew little about his career and life in Philadelphia. Lately I would only see him at family events. We were close but not current. When I did have the chance to see him on TV some years ago, I realized just how much he hadn’t changed. His enthusiasm and excitement were just as they were when I did my “over nights” at Aunt Teresa and Uncle Frank’s, when my mom and brother and sister visited our grandparents in Buffalo. He could have me so excited about his Little League games that I felt like I was on the team with him.
I wouldn’t have thought that having a cousin achieve the level of fame and celebrity would result in him being no different than he was when we were kids. Gary was a real as any human can be and his achievement did not change that in the least. It gave him a venue to be himself to such a wonderful extent. I will miss him.
Paul Sgalia
Vermont
I’m so sorry you had to go, you will be greatly missed!! Thank you for making Philly a brigther place Gary!!
Gary was so full of life. My mother lost her husband to cancer and she looked at Gary last week on t.v. and knew he was going to go home soon. My lil’ sister (Kee) really admired him because it was her father who died of cancer. Gary and my step dad were fighters. I don’t feel like he lost his battle. He was given to us for a while and he won eternal life to be home with the Lord. Through his hard work many may never know the evil of cancer; one day there will be a cure, and we will have the Lord to thank for using Gary as our angel of change. May God bless his soul and his wife, and two sons, and all of us who loved him.
WE await the Papa Family and their honorarium of Gary. We… 7 brothers and close friends from Canisius High School and from before from Christ the King Parish await Garys’ return….We will honor the family as well as regale them with our individual true tales of Gary Papa..and hopefully give gifts of remembrance to his children,nieces and nephews, that they can carry into the future and so remember this great human being who did grace us with his smile,his voice and his tremendous analytical repartee…Thomas Drew….. also for… Daniel Wopperer MD, Gerald Peer MD,Henry Lieber MD,Willy Wiles,Lawyer,and a bunch of others as Gary used to be willingly the TAXI… Gary did’nt mind drivin all around…DramaTom
There are no words to explain, my feelings for the loss of Gary. He was the nicest man on Philly news. The tears are streaming as I key this.
God Bless you Gary Papa. God bless your wife and two sons.
Love you Gary,
Beth