So, this is the final day in Indianapolis for @RayCortopassi , as he leaves @FOX59 for his hm, Chicago. I had the pleasure of working w/Ray in the early part of his career, and have been fortunate to know him throughout.
The dude has not changed one iota. Never did. Thread👇
When I first met Ray, I was a grunt in the @wrtv sports office, and he had just been hired as a new anchor. He was walking through The Fashion Mall with his wife, and their newborn in a stroller. I walked up, introduced myself and we chatted. He was excited to come to Indy
from Las Vegas. Who is excited to leave Las Vegas for Indianapolis? Ray was, because while he was, like all of us, a driven broadcaster trying to climb the markets, he was more so a family guy. A guy closer to his Chicago roots, while planting his own right here in Indianapolis.
He brought his kids to the station often, and having them do their own 4th of July show in our parking lot was always fun. Eventually, Ray made his way to the Channel 6 anchor desk. That was part of the reason I have always found my favorite memory involving him is so endearing.
I was walking past the news room one night, & Ray was pacing back and forth on his cell phone. Turns out, ABC Nightline had a reporter using our news room for a live talkback. Ray was on the phone with his Mom in Chicago, asking her turn on ABC to see him in the background. The
dude was becoming an emerging star in Indianapolis TV, but he just wanted the chance for his Mom to see him from her living room. I loved that.
Eventually, Ray moved to @FOX59 where he perfectly meshed with @angelaganote in becoming beloved fixtures in the Indy fabric.
I don’t know if people realize how hard that is to do, particularly when not from our city.
The last time I saw Ray was this winter, I was Christmas shopping. He came up to to tell me he was proud of the career I’d carved for myself in the market. Where were we? Fashion Mall.
It was a fitting full circle. For a guy who came to my hometown, raised his family, and became family to the city I’ve always called home. Fitting because, damn. I’m proud of him, too.
He’ll be proudly claimed & missed by Indianapolis.
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