Legendary radio icon Pat O'Day facing brain surgery

BY Bill Swartz  on June 27, 2012 @ 7:56 am (Updated: 6:06 pm - 6/28/12 )

patoday.jpg
Northwest radio icon Pat O'Day faces brain surgery on Thursday. (Image courtesy Facebook) | Zoom
"Never underestimate Pat O'Day," is the message from the Northwest radio legend's family as he was scheduled to head into brain surgery on Thursday.

Reports say O'Day's surgery is now scheduled for Friday.

O'Day's family feared the worst on Monday when he lost memory and use of his fingers. He took a ferry from his San Juan island home to the emergency room in Anacortes.

Doctors discovered a benign tumor was pressing the right frontal lobe of his brain against the skull.

Medication has already improved 77-year-old O'Day's condition, and surgeons believe the tumor is easily removable.

What hasn't Pat O'day done in his life? In the 1950's and 60's, the man born as Paul Berg ruled Seattle's radio airwaves. The KJR afternoon disc jockey once got a 42 share of listeners. Later he ran that station and owned KYYX.

O'Day promoted popular teen dances at the Spanish Castle Ballroom, booking acts like the Wailers and Jimi Hendrix. He tells remarkable behind-the-scenes stories about concerts with Tony Orlando, Wayne Newton, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the Beach Boys.

O'Day entertains hundreds-of-thousands of hydroplane fans with his passionate play-by-play at Seafair. It was my privilege to share the microphone with him the last three years he called those thunderboat races on radio.

Nowadays, O'Day owns the John L. Scott Real Estate franchise on San Juan Island.

He's also raised thousands of dollars for community charities and organizations through his annual celebrity golf tournament.

Bill Swartz, 710 ESPN Seattle
Sports anchor, news reporter, emcee, and a man of many voices, Bill Swartz has been a jack-of-all trades during his career, especially at KIRO Radio and 710 ESPN Seattle since 2002.
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Comments (8)


  • Add A Comment

  • ron prevost wrote...
    Thank God for Pat O'Day
    June 27, 2012 9:15 am
    This story only tells a small part of Pat O'Day. It's no secret that he is the spokeman for Schick Shadel Hospital. And that they saved HIS life.

    But he, among several other former patients, was responsible for saving the hospital 10 years ago when the bought it from the Schick Co. and built it back into a very successful addiction treatment facility. For my money, the best in the world, because nearly 9 years ago, they saved MY life from booze. And in those 10 years, the lives of nearly 9000 others.

    I've never been big on heroes in my life. Ronald Reagan, Walt Disney and Pat O'Day are it for me. But of those, only Pat could I call a friend.

    God bless you Pat. And get better soon. There are a lot more people in this world who need your inspiration and hope.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • FormerMarineSgt wrote...
    Prayers for a rapid recovery there Pat.
    June 27, 2012 10:24 am
    Here's wishes for a rapid recovery Pat. You've been a true inspiration for many of us fans of yours - Good luck sir!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • jpetro wrote...
    Best Wishes
    June 27, 2012 10:32 am
    to Pat and Good Job to Ron Prevost
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • itiswhatitis wrote...
    Speedy Recovery Pat!
    June 27, 2012 3:59 pm
    You are a legend in the Northwest and you have always been a great radio guy to listen to. Wishing you and your family positive 'vibes' for a good prognosis!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Radio Icon does not even start to tell the story, Pat IS radio.
    June 27, 2012 8:58 pm
    Speedy recovery pal!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • John E wrote...
    Can't wait to get you back Pat
    June 27, 2012 10:03 pm
    The news sunk my heart but I have all the confidence well see you back roaming the halls of Schock giving encouragement to those who took your message to heart
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • artimus wrote...
    Best Wishes,
    June 28, 2012 9:25 am
    Pat. My fingers and toes are all crossed. You've brought so much enjoyment to the PNW.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • bingo name o wrote...
    re: correction
    June 29, 2012 5:47 pm
    Hi... to give a Pat Update. Pat is actually at PAT ODAY REAL ESTATE with WINDERMERE REAL ESTATE SAN JUAN ISLAND, 360.378.3600 / patodayrealestate.com. As for the surgery, made it through like a SUPERSTAR... and is currently working on his recovery. Cheers O'Day!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }