Joel Briggs Day passed away quietly on March 31, 2010 in Vero Beach.
He is survived by his wife, Lee Day; two daughters, Julia Day of Longmont Colo., and Neva Day of Manhattan Beach Calif.; son, Jonathan Day of Los Angeles and grandson Finneas Day.
Born in Bridgeport, Conn., in 1938, Joel graduated from Stratford High where he proudly lettered in football. Joel attended Colgate University (Class of 1960) following in the footsteps of his father, afterward he served his country in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany during the Cold War.
He was a highly respected TV and radio broadcaster with his specialty in small market broadcasting. His career included CBS TV New York. NY; Westinghouse KPIX TV San Francisco; General Electric Broadcasting, KOA TV and AM/FM Radio Denver, Colo.; Cox Broadcasting WIOD / WAIA Miami; and KADY TV Camarillo, Calif.
He founded Key Chain Inc. in the Florida Keys which included WFKZ, WAVK, WKRY. He sold Key Chain Inc. to Paxson Communications and served as Vice President and General Manager for both Paxson and Clear Channel.
In his latter years he turned from radio broadcasting to radio brokerage under the Cobb Corporation and later formed Day Broadcasting with the goal to further facilitate small market radio sales.
He was an avid outdoorsman including skiing, mountaineering and an award winning fisherman. Fishing was his lifetime passion; saltwater or freshwater, fly or light tackle, mutton snapper or trout. Outdoor activities propelled Joel along with family and friends around the world on spectacular adventures to far-flung destinations such as: Alaska, the Rocky Mountains, Trinidad, New Zealand and Cuba.
He was an active volunteer for many charitable organizations and boards, including: Metropolitan South Florida Fishing Tournament, Key West & Lower Keys Fishing Tournament, Miami Beach Rod and Reel Club, Pelican Island Audubon Society, Florida Conservation Association, Key West Botanical Garden, Atlantic Chamber Orchestra, Coast Guard Auxiliary, National Ski Patrol, CBS National Affiliates Board and ORCA.
A memorial service will be held in early May 2010 details to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to make a donation in Joel’s memory may send them to Pelican Island Audubon Society P.O. Box 1833 Vero Beach Florida, 32969.