I can’t believe it .I get ChicagoTribune.com news stories emailed to me through my online subscription. When I clicked on this story my heart plummeted.
A voice and face representing my early days in America is gone forever. He was a handsome man with a deep, steady voice. I loved his voice. I liked the crooked way he smiled with a twinkle in his eye. He looked like my grandfather, Baba Jaan, who passed away 2 years ago in Afghanistan. One day I'll scan Baba Jaan's photo and post it so you can see how much they resembled each other. I’m so sad to know John Drury had to pass away while in battle with a horrendous disease. My thoughts are with his family.
He was 80 years old when he passed. That's hard for me to believe. That would mean he was in his 50s when I came to America, but he looked so dashing and young. I waited for his broadcasts because he looked so much like my grandpa. Recently, I asked my Baba (my father) where John Drury had gone to since I still watch WGN Chicago while living out here in Cali. Baba told me he had retired, but I had no idea he was so ill.
We arrived in Chicago in the early 1980s. I learned English primarily from television and books. As far back as I can remember, I’ve been a total news hound. I watched the nightly news, listened to the morning news as I dressed for school/work, caught up with Nightline and 60 minutes as much as I could, and nowadays, read more than 12 different news sites to catch up on world events.
John Drury is a large part of the memories I have of growing up in Chicago. For over 17 years of my life I got my TV news from John Drury. For all those Chi-town friends of mine out there, you'll know what I mean when I say that Chicago is the only "big city" where you remain attached & loyal to such things as your local news anchor, which is a total "small town" thing to feel. Chicago is a small town-big city. John Drury was a huge part of life in Chicago for me. John Drury was just a huge part of life in Chicago, period.
Rest in peace, John Drury. I'll miss you. Say hello to my Baba Jaan for me.
1 comment:
I was so going to email both you and Laura, since I figured you two would want to know, then it slipped my mind. I spent all night watching every tribute to him on the news. Today, too, there have been several tributes. I completely share your sadness. I adored him. Wierd, huh, to feel that way about an anchorman? Some of my earliest memories are of sitting with my grandpa, his pipe in his mouth, filled with delicious cherry tobacco, and watching the news with John Drury. As soon as the news hit yesterday afternoon, I was in tears. What a horrible, painful way to die. I'm just glad his suffering is over. He'll surely be missed :(
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