Irish values: NYC luminaries remember Bernard McGuirk at emotional funeral
Hundreds gathered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Tuesday to bid a final farewell to late WABC radio host Bernard McGuirk on what would have been his 65th birthday.
The co-host of “Bernie & Sid i𒁏n the Morning” died Oct. 5 after a battle with prostate cancer, leaving behind his wife Carol, children Melanie and Brendan and countless devoted fans of his top-rated show.
McGuirk had been on the air in the ♓city since 1986 and was the longtime executive producer of the nationally syndicated program “Imus in the Morning.”
The former Catholic altar boy, who was raised in the South Bronx’s Monroe Houses before moving to Long Beach, NY, was eulogized by a who’s who of New York broadcasters, lawmakers and candidates, as well as religious dignitaries.
Political commentator Bill O’Reilly reflected on the “tough” Irish-American upbringing he and McGuirk had in common, which he said was marked by “tight-knit family values.”
“That ethic and that upbringing instilled in McGuirk values … values. Values that are common to the Irish; honesty, loyalty, respect for those who deserve respect,” O’Reilly said of the Cardinal Hayes High School graduate.
“Whenever in the future people think of Bernard McGuirk, they are going to smile, and no greater compliment can be paid to a person.”
Former Long Island Rep. Peter King sha🐎red a similar𝄹 sentiment as he addressed the grieving crowd that filled the pews and the some 2,700 who streamed the service .
“Often in politics or in media or public life, a person has a public life and then behind the scenes, they’re not so good. As good and as friendly and as decent as Bernie was on the air, he was even better in person,” the Republican said.
More than 500 mourners were on hand in the Midtown house of worship, including other bold-face names like Rudy Giuliani, John Catsimatidis, Anthony Weiner, Geraldo Rivera and൩ Bruce Blakeman.
“I feel like I know him because I’ve heard so many magnificent stories about him, many of which could not be repeatable in church,” Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan joked as the funeral mass got underway.
Former NYPD detective and candidate for mayor Bo Dietl remembered his strength a𒁃nd professionalism as WABC colleague and𝄹 prostate cancer survivor Curtis Sliwa urged men to get tested for the deadly disease.
Mayor Eric Adams called Catsimatidis, the owner of WABC, to send his regrets for missing funeral due t🌺o a prior commiཧtment.
Weiner, meanwhile, remembered McGuirk once stood up for him during the sex scandal that ended 🅺his political caꦍreer.
“There really wasn’t a mean bone in his body. I remember back when I was filling in on the ‘Curtis & Kuby’ show and I heard they had made an off-color remark, you know Carlos Danger, and he called and told me he had heard it and that he was sorry and that he would make sure it didn’t happen again,” the former Democratic congressman said after the service.
“And that was surprising. I mean, he was just a very kind, very decent man.”
The funeral’s most emotional moment was delivered by Sid Rosenberg, McGuirk’s co-host since 2016.
“Bernard McGuirk was the best man I’ve ever met, and that includes my father and some other great people,” said Rosenberg as he delivered the final eulogy.
“For what it’s worth, everybody here today should take some solace and be happy that whether you knew him or you’re here today to honor him, we’re all very lucky.”
Through tears, the host then looked toward the cathedral’s rafters and delivered a final message while waving.
“I love you,” Rosenberg said.
