Jerry Taft, 33-year ABC7 Chicago meteorologist, dies at 77

CHICAGO (WLS) – Jerry Taft, who worked as a meteorologist at ABC7 for 33 years before retiring in January 2018, died peacefully on Thursday night surrounded by family members. He was 77 years old.

Jerry is survived by his wife Shana and their children Skylar, Storm, Dana and Jay.

While reflecting on his career when he retired from ABC7, Jerry said he had no intention of becoming a television meteorologist and became interested in the meteorology of flying aircraft.

He was a captain in the Texas Air Force when he took the local meteorologist to San Antonio for an advertising flight for the military. So that weather man turned the tables and put Jerry on the air.

RELATED: Reflecting on ABC7 Meteorologist Jerry Taft’s 33-Year Career

VIDEOS: ABC7 Chicago colleagues reflect on the life of Jerry Taft

“They said we would give him fourteen fifty. I calculated $ 1,450 a month, bought new suits. It was $ 14.50 per show. I got my first check, it was $ 62,” he said.

Jerry was known for his sense of humor and his ability to laugh at mistakes.

“We always talk about Jerry’s laugh and his great sense of humor, but the other thing is that he was genuinely a good soul,” said ABC7 traffic / transportation presenter Roz Varon. “I never heard him say something bad about anyone, and he was a great mentor.”

Jerry came to Chicago to work for NBC and moved to ABC7 in 1984.

Jerry Taft Remembrance: Looking back when he burst into uncontrollable laughter

At Jerry’s retirement Alan Krashesky said: “One of the things that makes him so accessible is the fact that he doesn’t take himself seriously, he takes seriously what he does professionally, never himself “

Also speaking when Jerry retired, Kathy Brock shared: “People remember laughter, I don’t know how many newscasts there have been where they get laughs.”

“One thing Jerry took very seriously was keeping ABC 7 viewers informed and safe during bad weather,” Krashesky said Friday. “An expert in science, while bringing lots of sunlight into our lives, even on the coldest cloudy days.”

VIDEOS: ABC7’s favorite moments on the air with Jerry Taft

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot also weighed in, saying “Jerry Taft was the definition of a class act. His love of weather and passion for our city always shone through.”

VIDEOS: Reflecting on Jerry Taft’s meteorological career

We extend our condolences to the Taft family.