2 CT Radio Legends Pass Away

Two area radio legends with ties to Connecticut died in recent days. New Canaan resident Fran Schneidau, the voice of Connecticut on WCBS-AM for nearly 40 years, died Tuesday, according to the station and The Laurel.

And Lou Adler, former WCBS-AM news director and former director of the Ed McMahon Mass Communications Center at Quinnipiac University, died in Meriden late last week, the New York Times reported.

After she retired earlier this year, Gov. Dannel Malloy declared the day, Feb. 3, as "Fran Schneidau Day."

The governor issued a statement Wednesday following Schneidau's death:

"For nearly forty years, Fran’s voice was heard delivering news from the State of Connecticut to millions of radio listeners throughout the greater New York City metropolitan area, and she did it with class, reputability, and her own trusted style. She dedicated her profession to journalism, and was respected by so many – including numerous young and upcoming reporters who consistently site her as an inspiration. We will miss Fran, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues at WCBS."

Prior to joining WCBS in the late 1970s, Schneidau was a stock broker; she also worked for a spell at Bridgeport's WICC.

Adler began at the station as an anchor in the late 1960s and was part of a famous morning team with the late Jim Donnelly in the 1970s and '80s, according to WCBS News.

He became news director in 1973 and served in that role until 1981. Additionally, Adler also worked at 1010 WINS, WOR-AM and ABC News. Adler also founded the radio station WQUN-AM, which is based at Quinnipiac.