Jerry Taft, ABC7 Chicago meteorologist for 33 years, remembered by colleagues

CHICAGO (WLS) – ABC7 Chicago colleagues remember former meteorologist Jerry Taft for his sense of humor, his ability to poke fun at his own mistakes, and his unique laugh.

Taft, who worked as an ABC7 meteorologist for more than three decades, died peacefully on Thursday night. He was 77 years old.

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Jerry had retired in 2018, announcing that he was ready to spend more time with his family and play golf in Florida. Jerry is survived by his wife Shana and their children Skylar, Storm, Dana and Jay.

When Jerry hit ABC7, he was on the first morning show with Alan Krashesky.

“What made him so nice to many of us is that every time he made a mistake in the air, every time he had that laugh and sometimes a laugh for us in the air, you couldn’t help but find and relate to him and Say, ‘I just want to go out with this guy,’ “Krashesky said.

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“Nothing tripped him up, and if he did, Jerry had the ability to get over it,” added Krashesky. “That transparency, just so we can relate. It was human. He didn’t try to hide it. He wasn’t ashamed.”

Meteorologist Tracy Butler said Jerry was instrumental in joining the ABC7 Chicago team.

“I can hear that laugh,” Butler said.

She recalled her work with the March of Dimes Sunshine Rally.

“Jerry was dedicated to the March of Dimes for decades and the Sunshine Rally was a rally where we all met in April and forecasters from around the Chicago area got together and gave a forecast for the great March of Dimes March. Jerry spearheaded this for years and I know he is also highly respected by meteorologists in this city and across the country, “Butler said.

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Butler recalls that Jerry was always “at the forefront of technology.”

“I think he was one of the first to tweet on our station, and boy were some of his early posts certainly comical. Many of us remember him for that laugh,” Butler said.

Traffic / transportation presenter Roz Varon also remembers Jerry’s famous laugh.

“I can hear it, I will always hear it. You will never forget it because it was so contagious. I would start laughing, you would start laughing and you couldn’t stop laughing,” said Varon.

LOOK: Windy City Live remembers Jerry Taft