Jan 22, 2009 9:04 pm US/Central
The Loss Of Randy Salerno: One Year Later
CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. (CBS) ―
This week marks a sad anniversary at CBS 2: the tragic death of morning anchor Randy Salerno in a snowmobiling accident.
We miss him dearly, his incredible story-telling skill, his wit and his humor. But no one feels the loss more than Randy's family.
CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez reports on their efforts to keep Randy's memory alive.
"He could just always make us laugh," Randy's wife, Irene Salerno, said. "If anybody was in a bad mood or having a bad day, he would always know the perfect thing to say to turn it around."
One year later, the void is still huge, but the Salerno kids have settled back into familiar routines without their dad, although at times they seem to channel his personality.
Irene says the most difficult part for her is trying to fill the roles of both a mom and a dad.
She's not just busy with the kids but also with efforts to keep Randy's memory alive. Irene says friends have really stepped up to the plate by donating a score board at the softball field where Randy and company spent so much time.
An event over the summer to launch the Randy Salerno Foundation raised more than $90,000 -- some of which Irene recently donated to Randy's old high school to create a journalism scholarship.
"It gives other students an opportunity to see someone successful who had a great career and help them to pursue their dreams," said Marsha Potthoff, principal of Crystal Lake South High School.
Foundation money will also be used to set up a center for bereaved children. It will be a place where they can share stories with other kids dealing with loss and not feel different.
"Just seeing my kids get through each day and knowing that they're going to be OK, that's what gives me peace," Irene Salerno said.
For an archive of stories about Randy, click
here.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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