Long time WFSB Hartford Anchor Denise D'Ascenzo passes at 61

[MarcB]

Long time WFSB Anchor Denise D'Ascenzo unexpectedly yesterday at age 61. She had been with WFSB for 34 years.

https://www.wfsb.com/news/longtime-...cle_0af2fa40-1954-11ea-b1f8-971f2a9eccbb.html

Note: It should be noted that all 4 news stations in the Hartford/New Haven market led their late news with this story.

The FOX 61 News at 10 on CW20.

News 8 at 11 which started their news at around 11:15 due to College Football. - Anchor Jocelyn Maminta was on the verge of tears reading the story.

WFSB Eyewitness News at 11 which also began around 11:15 due to earlier college football over runs.

NBC Connecticut News at 11.

 

[Don CT]

It was not the breaking news I was expecting last night right after football.

 

[KML0224]

I read the comments from Ann Nyberg (ABC channel 8 New Haven), Gerry Brooks (retired, worked for both NBC channel 30 New Britain and with Denise at channel 3) and Al Terzi (two stints at channel 3, a long run at channel 8 and a political discussion host at FOX channel 61 Hartford). I've checked the Twitter of Gayle King a few times. Nothing is there yet. Gayle worked at channel 3 from 1981 to 1999. Denise was on set with Gayle when she left in 1999. Denise set a record for an anchor being at the same station in the Hartford/New Haven market.

I never met her, but an old friend of mine did a couple of times. He said she was just as cordial off camera as she was on screen. A wonderful person and who genuinely cared about the viewers.

Rest in peace, Denise. We'll say hello to Wayne and your daughter Kathryn for you.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

When I was in middle school, I called up the Channel 3 newsroom out of the blue at totally random with a big set of brass balls and said.. I want to be in broadcasting someday, I'd like to come watch how you do it. I happened to have Gayle King on the line, she was who answered my call. I sat on the tv studio set just behind the cameras and got to watch Denise and Al do a newscast, then Gayle and I think Denis House might've been there too. I dont recall.

But nearly 25 years later, I still remember that. My interaction with Denise was fairly short, but she was pleasant and patient with 12-13 year old me when I asked a question or two and was confused by what she was telling me.

Denise was a part of my childhood growing up.. and its little things like my visit to channel 3 that continued to spur my interest in broadcasting and why I've been doing it for over 15 years.

 

[John Gallagher]

I remember her from WJW TV 8 in Cleveland, where she co-anchored with Tim Taylor from 1983-1986 before moving to Connecticut. May she rest in peace.

 

[crainbebo]

When I was in middle school, I called up the Channel 3 newsroom out of the blue at totally random with a big set of brass balls and said.. I want to be in broadcasting someday, I'd like to come watch how you do it. I happened to have Gayle King on the line, she was who answered my call. I sat on the tv studio set just behind the cameras and got to watch Denise and Al do a newscast, then Gayle and I think Denis House might've been there too. I dont recall.

But nearly 25 years later, I still remember that. My interaction with Denise was fairly short, but she was pleasant and patient with 12-13 year old me when I asked a question or two and was confused by what she was telling me.

Denise was a part of my childhood growing up.. and its little things like my visit to channel 3 that continued to spur my interest in broadcasting and why I've been doing it for over 15 years.

And now you've been all over the country. From the Alaskan Bush to Erie to Laramie and all points in between. I'm sure Denise is smiling up in the heavens. May she RIP.