Longtime 101.1 WCBS-FM New York personality Don ‘Bob Shannon’ Bombard passed away today at the age of 74 after a long illness.

The Syracuse NY native began his career in his hometown on 1260 WNDR and 1490 WOLF eventually rising to Program Director at the latter until departing in 1977. He would then go to Pittsburgh for a few years as Production Director and afternoon host at “13Q” 1320 WKTQ. In 1981 he would make the move to New York and worked on-air at AC 97.1 WYNY and doing some television announcing. He would join WCBS-FM the following year as a weekend and then evening host where he would take the ‘Bob Shannon’ on-air name. In 1986 he would make the move to afternoons where he would remain until the station’s ill-fated flip to Variety Hits “101.1 Jack-FM” in June 2005. Shannon would anchor the station’s return in July 2007 until departing for unknown medical reasons in early 2012. Between WCBS-FM stints, he would also host shows for 92.1 WLNG Sag Harbor NY, “107.1 The Breeze” WWZY Long Branch NJ, and various webcasters.

Bombard’s wife Connie Frances made the announcement of his passing earlier today writing, “It is with a heavy heart I share the passing of Donald Robert Shannon. Bob Shannon CBS-FM 101, Donald Bombard of Pittsburgh’s Sunday Night Oldies Party and Syracuse’s WOLF. RadioMaxMusic and WLNG were good to us both, giving us shows and lots of fun times. Please remember all the positive things he brought to all. I respectfully ask for privacy at this time of transition.”