Former WHEN Radio Morning Man
Obituary
April 11, 2021
When Staff Sergeant, Dave Mann, who died April 11th, was fighting in WWII as a Combat
Engineer under the command of General George Patton, he and his squad stopped at a
vacant farmhouse in France to find much needed rest. Suddenly an enemy shell from an
88 tore through the farmhouse, killing every member of the squad, leaving just Dave as
the sole survivor. For the next 75+ years Dave wondered why he was the only one who
lived. This is why.
Dave was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, graduated from Emerson College in Boston, and
began what was to be a successful and rewarding 30 year broadcast career as a Morning
Man at radio stations in the Boston area, New Hampshire, New York, Worcester, and most
recently at WBLQ in Westerly where he enjoyed co-hosting the lifestyle show "Mann
About Town" with his wife. During those years he also was a much sought after voiceover
talent and recorded commercials, books, and travelogues locally, regionally, and
nationally, winning a CLIO award (equivalent of the Oscar for radio commercials)
nomination for Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Service.
However, what made him proudest was being a member of what Tom Brokaw called "The
Greatest Generation," those selfless soldiers who fought in WWII without rancor or
complaint because it was their job to keep America free. Dave never thought he did
anything special although he was much decorated, including being awarded three Purple
Hearts for injuries incurred in battle. He had an intense love of the American flag and
honored it in every way possible including writing a book, "What I Fought For," then
touring the country to lecture to schools and other groups because he felt he was a living
history book, and he wanted people to continue telling the stories of their own veterans
to their children so our history would never die.
In addition to his radio career, Dave also served for a short time as public relations
consort for New York State Senator John Hughes before moving on to managing one of the
four big FM stations in the Wertheimer owned Empire State FM Network which extended
from Buffalo to Albany. It was at that time in the early '70s that he hired a young girl
named Rona who had little radio experience, so he took her under his wing where she
remained for 45 years while he showed her the ropes. He did not realize at the time she
would become his future wife...but not until 1983. Dave was not exactly a fast mover!
Together Dave and Rona opened an advertising agency in Syracuse, NY specializing in
radio and TV commercials. Eleven years later, they left Central New York and moved to
the Midwest where Dave once again became a Morning Man in Ohio. After subsequent
broadcast stints at news-talk stations in New Hampshire and Worcester, the couple found
Westerly and the former WERI and have lived in the area since 1986.
Military and community service were always paramount. In New York Dave was a major
volunteer for the Onondaga County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, President of
the Syracuse (Eastwood) Rotary Club, and a very active member of the Military Order of
the Purple Heart, eventually becoming Chapter Commander. He was a lifetime member of
that organization nationally in addition to being a lifetime member of the DAV and is
enshrined in the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in Orange County, New York. In
2017 he was delighted and humbled to be selected to travel with his friend, Joe Nigrelli,
and a few other area veterans on the Honor Flight to Washington, DC to see the
monuments dedicated to their service.
That same year The Pawsox honored Dave as part of their "In Debt to a Vet" program,
with the entire stadium standing in tribute, and the Westerly Armory had chosen him as
one of their four Honored Citizens to be feted this August. Although it will be posthumous
due to postponements because of Covid, a small, private luncheon honoring these four
was held last summer and Dave was so proud to have as his special invited guest, Dr. Tom
Lanna. Their relationship always cut very deep, and he felt honored to have Dr. Lanna
there.
Because of his long and storied broadcast career Dave was inducted into the New York
Friars Club in the late '90s and enjoyed many a night there in the bar and dining room,
especially the bar!
Dave leaves his wife, business partner, partner in life, craziness, and ongoing adventures,
Rona, and his much loved and most annoying cats, Greenberg and Boeheim.
According to his wishes, there will be no funeral nor calling hours, but also according to
his wishes, there will be "a big party on July 31st (his 96th birthday), and they better say
nice things about me!"
So, why was he the only one who survived that attack on the farmhouse? That's why.
It was a great run.
Further information and guest book visit: csori.com
Donations may be made in Dave's name to the American Flag Committee, 83 Potter Hill Road, Westerly, RI 02891.
