TONY PEPPER

PEPPER, Tony Longtime Broadcast Journalist and local WBZ-TV anchorman Tony Pepper passed away on Tuesday, April 3rd, at the age of 79 after complications due to diabetes and heart disease. When he came to Boston he initially worked with Tom Ellis but soon after and most memorably was partnered with Jack Williams, helping WBZ-TV be number one in Boston for many years. Tony was known for his great patriotism, wry sense of humor, huge laugh, and his beautifully modulated voice. He was passionately engaged in all manner of social and civic issues, especially equality and fairness. At the tender age of 17, he enlisted in the US Navy, serving 4 years as a photojournalist in the Far East. After his discharge, Tony attended Santa Barbara City College, was elected class president and graduated with an Associate of Arts degree while working nights at his first broadcast job on KDB Radio. Within months he was recruited to be the news director at KOVR-TV in Sacramento and then on-air talent as a sportscaster covering the Oakland Raiders, the Forty-Niners, the Giants and the A's. From there he was offered a job first as weekend anchor in Denver KBTV. At the same time he also had a daytime TV talk show and interviewed celebrities, musicians and authors. Among his most memorable included James Taylor, Ralph Lauren, Louis Armstrong, Roger Moore and Peter Blatty (The Exorcist author). He then moved to KOA-TV to become the weekday evening anchor and was most proud of his investigative journalism uncovering the contamination at Rocky Flats. It was there he became friends with and worked with R.D. Sahl who he always acknowledged as one of the best writers in the business. It didn't take long for Tony's talents to be recognized by major markets and he was sought after first by Detroit and then Boston, and WBZ-TV won. After leaving television in 1981, Tony offered his wit and wisdom to WRKO talk radio co-hosting morning drive-time with Janet Jeghelian. Tony is survived by his wife, Dorothy Butler of Newton, daughter, Deborah Pepper and her husband Doug of Milton, MA, brothers, Ross and Pete of San Luis Obispo, CA, sister, Penny Lionello of Carpentaria, CA, their spouses and children. He was predeceased by brother, Lowell, son, David, mother, Lucille Campbell and sister, Marcy. For those that would like to express their condolences, a Celebration of Tony's Life will be held on April 21st, from 2:00-5:00pm at Brelundi Ristorante, 185 Crescent St. in the Watch Factory, Waltham, MA. In lieu of flowers, Tony wished that donations be sent to Salvation Army, 25 Shawmut Road, Canton, MA 02021 or Angel Medical Center, c/o Dr. Douglas Brum, 350 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130.

View the online memorial for Tony PEPPER