Remembering Randy Salerno

Remembering Randy: Keeping His Memory Alive

CHICAGO (CBS) ― This past January CBS 2 suffered a heartbreaking loss when morning anchor Randy Salerno was killed in a snowmobile accident.

The station received thousands of heartfelt condolences, and many of you continue to ask about the Salerno family.

Roseanne Tellez, Randy's co-anchor and longtime friend, updates us on how family and friends are remembering Randy.

No one is feeling the loss more than Randy's wife of 10 years, Irene, especially now, during what was Randy's favorite time of the year – the start of spring and summer sports.

"Randy was such a big part of that with softball, kids' baseball," Irene Salerno said. "At first the kids didn't want to participate. Then they decided they wanted to. Part of them feels he's there in some way. We just miss him..."

In addition to husband and dad, he was everything from pitcher to cameraman.

"Randy was such a great husband and father," said friend John Hanley. "That's what I respected most. Everything was the kids. It was great."

Hanley painted a portrait of Randy that now hangs in the Salerno living room.

He's one of a tight-knit group of friends helping with an effort to forever remember Randy, with a celebrity golf outing and fundraising party in Crystal Lake this July.

"When you lose someone so quickly, you go to a place in the brain to try to keep elements of them alive," said Salerno family friend Carol Hanley.

Funds raised will create a scholarship at Crystal Lake South, intended to help a student at Randy's old high school study journalism.

"The scholarships aren't grade-based," Irene said, laughing.

So Randy wasn't known for his grades. He was known for living life to its fullest, and appreciating every moment.

"Be with the people you love, keep your priorities straight, do the things you love," Irene said.

That's why a golf outing, paired with a get-together of friends and neighbors on a warm summer night seemed like the perfect event to remember Randy.

"It's fabulous. It's grown beyond our wildest dreams," said friend John Macklin.

"It's unbelievable the time and effort friends and neighbors have put into this," said Randy's father, Don Salerno.

Randy's mother says it's the support of the public that's astounded her ever since Randy's funeral.

"The mass of people there, it was awesome," Donna Salerno said.

The Salernos want to thank everyone once again for the touching e-mails and support. Randy's mom says she's thrilled that donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Randy's name totaled more than $10,000. The folks at the MDA say they've never seen anything like it. Then again, Randy always did bring out the best in people.

You're invited to join the party in Crystal Lake this July 18, and help launch the Randy Salerno Foundation.

Mac McAnally from Jimmy Buffet's Coral Reefer Band, Randy's favorite, is performing. Click here for more information.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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