Longtime WJAR-TV morning anchor Frank Coletta has announced he plans to retire after nearly 41 years in local television. His last day on the air will be July 26. Coletta made the announcement at the conclusion of a special broadcast honoring WJAR’s 70 years on the air.
“I’ve worked with so many talented and creative broadcasters in my time at NBC 10. But I could not have lasted 41 years here without the constant loyalty, encouragement, and support of all of you in the TV audience, and more recently, on social media,” said Coletta.
“I’ll always be grateful to each of you for letting me so graciously into your homes. I’m looking forward to starting a new routine – one that involves sleeping well past that 2:30 a.m. wake-up call!”
Coletta has anchored the early morning program on Channel 10 since its launch in 1985. The Emerson College graduate first began his career in radio before joining WJAR behind the scenes in 1978 as an assignment editor. Coletta won numerous awards for his investigative and business reports.
“Frank is irreplaceable,” noted News Director Scott Isaacs. “His decades of institutional knowledge made him a tremendous resource for journalists young and old. The best way we can honor his career is by continuing to tell the stories that matter most to Southern New Englanders.”
“Viewers have invited Frank into their homes for more than 40 years,” said WJAR General Manager Vic Vetters. “He’s been a trusted friend and a local TV legend. We raise our coffee mugs in salute to a classic newsman.”
