Mark Barash, former WPXI Program manager

Mark Barash, 70, passed away last week surrounded by his family. Described as “an extremely creative and innovative individual who never lacked for ideas,” Barash had his own sports newspaper in New York as a young man. He soon took on a job as a radio DJ along with play-by-play announcing for the New York Cosmos soccer team and voice of the New York stars football team. He was also a sportscaster in Fresno, California and Detroit Michigan.

WWSW PM Drive host, Mike Frazer, tells PBRTV, “he was the guy who ‘introduced me to radio’ at this time, 53 years ago at *our* high school radio station… ‘WKBC’ (Kennedy Broadcasting Club), Plainview, NY. He was a senior, the GM and ‘morning star.’ Had he NOT been there, my life would have absolutely been VERY different.”

Frazer also remarked of their reunion of sorts when he came to Pittsburgh in 1989. Barash had been with WPXI since 1984 where he ended up spending a total of 31 years as Program Director and Operations Manager. His contributions included the Pittsburgh Cable News Channel, syndicated programs such as “Judge Judy” and even snagging “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune” from KDKA-TV. He also secured the rights to local events such as the Three Rivers Regatta, the Celebrate the Season Parade (originally sponsored by Kaufmann’s Department Store), and the annual WPXI Carol Sing in December.

Since leaving WPXI in 2015, he was a Partner at Barash Productions in Pittsburgh.

Mr. Barash is survived by his wife, two children, three grandchildren, and a sister.