R.I.P.: Longtime Rochester NY Broadcaster Nick Nickson

Nick Nickson

Nick Nickson, a familiar and popular voice on WBBF radio in Rochester for two decades, has died.

The Rochester Music Hall of Fame member celebrated his 93rd birthday in December, according to Democrat and Chronicle.

Shows with the "Ole' Professor" on WBBF-AM during the 1950s and 60s had, at times, the attention of at least 60 percent of the listening market, a mega-share in the radio industry.

"The way he approached his job, he not only wanted to talk to people on the air, he wanted to meet them off the air,'' Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster and son Nick Nickson Jr. said. "I think that mindset made him popular.

"People could see the face behind the voice.''

Mr. Nickson's 20 years on air was just the beginning in a career that spanned six decades. The Brighton resident was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame during 2013, with a class that included performers Lou Gramm, Bat McGrath and Don Potter.

Nickson, born Nick Nickitiades in New York City, entered radio in 1944 during World War II. He was with the Army Medical Corps in New Guinea. After the war, Mr. Nickson went to work for a station on Long Island, before he arrived in Rochester in 1947.

Nickson went off the off-air in 1967 and became WBBF's sales manager. He later became general sales manager of WBBF and its FM sister station WBFB, where he also was the station manager.

In 1985, he became sales manager at WHAM 1180 AM. He retired in 2007.