The first anniversary of Scott McKenzie's death is Thursday. But his family and friends on Saturday unveiled a permanent tribute to the WOMX 105.1 FM Mix 105.1 radio host -- a park bench -- in downtown Orlando's Lake Eola Park, reports The Orlando Sentinel.
"Come out and sit down with your buddy Scott. Take a break and enjoy this beautiful city," urged Jay Edwards, McKenzie's colleague on "The Morning Mix."
Nearly 60 attended the event that celebrated McKenzie's quick wit, steady enthusiasm and love of Beatles music."It's bittersweet," said Erica Lee, McKenzie's former on-air partner at Mix. "I love the outpouring of love that always surrounds Scott, always will surround Scott. As Jay said, now we have a place to sit and remember him by. I think Scott would get perverse pleasure to know we come and sit on him."
McKenzie's three siblings wanted a place where people could remember him, Edwards said, and one of the late host's favorite events, the Downtown Food & Wine Fest, happens nearby.
McKenzie’s widow, Dr. Fran Lesser Friedman, selected the scenic spot for the bench near Robinson Street and Hillman Avenue. A plaque salutes McKenzie’s "waking up Orlando" for 24 years. (He was born Scott Alan Friedman and chose Scott McKenzie as a radio name.)
“The Morning Mix” current team -- Edwards, Dana Taylor and Adam Alexander -- will discuss the bench on Monday’s show. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has taped an interview for that day.
On Thursday, “The Morning Mix” will replay McKenzie clips through the years, talk about his contributions to the community and ask listeners to share their memories. Beyond radio, McKenzie won admirers for his charitable work for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Children's Miracle Network and Florida Easter Seals.
McKenzie died at 59 on Aug. 11, 2015, after a seven-year fight against cancer. He had told listeners about his three battles against non-Hodgkin lymphoma. His family on Saturday asked people to keep up the fight against cancer.
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