| Gary LaPierre | |
| Birth Date: | 14 April 1942[1] |
| Birth Place: | Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts |
| Death Place: | Ipswich, Massachusetts |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation: | Radio broadcaster |
| Years Active: | 1961–2006 |
| Known For: | WBZ (AM) radio news anchor |
| Alma Mater: | Grahm Junior College |
Gary LaPierre (April 14, 1942 – February 4, 2019) was a radio and television journalist, who spent most of his career with WBZ, an all-news radio station in Boston, Massachusetts. He also made appearances on WBZ-TV's news broadcasts, often filling in as a substitute anchor. LaPierre retired in 2006 after 40 years at the anchor desk.[2] He had started at WBZ in 1964 as a general news reporter. One of his first assignments was covering the arrival of the Beatles, when they came to greater Boston to perform. [3]
Born in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, LaPierre graduated from Grahm Junior College and attended the University of New Hampshire and Boston University.[4] His first job in radio was with WHAV in Haverhill, Massachusetts, in 1961.[5] He then worked briefly in New Hampshire before joining WBZ, where he would work for a total of 43 years.[5]
LaPierre was heard on WBZ for a number of years giving a daily commentary, "LaPierre on the Loose". He was also heard doing commercials for various advertisers. In 1999, he played Ebenezer Scrooge in WBZ's adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. This version has been played every Christmas Eve since then.
LaPierre was married, and had two sons.[6] He underwent heart bypass surgery in 2005.[7] He died at his home in Ipswich, Massachusetts, on February 4, 2019, from leukemia at age 76.[8]
In 1998, LaPierre received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Emerson College.[4] He was also inducted in the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame,[9] in 2010.[10] Other awards include:[4]