Longtime Channel 9 Meteorologist Ray Boylan Dies

CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Former Channel 9 meteorologist Ray Boylan, who recently celebrated his 76th birthday, died Thursday in Palm Coast, Fla.

IMAGES: Ray Boylan Through The Years

His wife of 56 years, Gail, said he died at 8:30 a.m. Boylan had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and had been on liquid oxygen.

Boylan spent 11 years at WSOC, starting on Dec. 1, 1986. Boylan spent four years in the Navy in the 1970s as part of the "Hurricane Hunters" team, whose planes fly into hurricanes to gather information, and put his expertise to work when Hurricane Hugo hit Charlotte in September 1989.

Gail said Boylan received many letters and cards from community members after Hugo hit, telling him how much they appreciated his coverage.

"He was working; he was right where he felt he had to be because he had people that relied on him," Gail said. "He was right there in your living room with you."

Boylan never wanted to scare people, Gail said, but just wanted members of the community to be aware of their surroundings and be prepared.

Boylan was the first TV forecaster in Charlotte with formal meteorology credentials.

"I never remember him taking a day off," said WSOC News Director Robin Whitmeyer. "Ray was always working, always happy. Just a great guy. I never saw him get angry."

At the end of each newscast, Boylan, who volunteered with the hearing impaired, signed off by giving the sign language sign for love.

"That was just his sign-off and that was what he did," Gail said. "And his family all knew it, and that was part of him because he loved everybody."

Boylan retired from WSOC in 1997. He later left Charlotte for Florida to be closer to family.

Gail said Boylan truly enjoyed his job and his relationship with the community, keeping all the books, cards and gifts that Charlotte viewers sent him over the years.

"He loved the kids. He loved his job. He loved the people he worked with -- every one of them," she said. "And I just hope a little bit of him stays with everyone."

Gail added that she hopes her husband left behind a lasting legacy.

"Follow your dreams," she said. "If you want to be something, go for it. Go for it, and always do the best you can. Always do the best you can, and tell everyone that you love them."

Funeral arrangements for Boylan are incomplete. He is survived by his wife, Gail, five children, 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Please leave your memories of Boylan and condolences to his family in the comment section below.

WSOC