FOX CT anchor Al Terzi, dubbed “the dean of Connecticut news,” is stepping down from the anchor desk effective March 31.
The 72-year-old award-winning television personality isn’t exactly retiring however, but rather scaling back his on-air duties at the station.
“I will continue to do my political show, “The Real Story,” he said, referring to the Sunday morning show he co-hosts with Fox CT’s Laurie Perez. “But I am getting off the daily anchor desk.”
Terzi has anchored the 5 p.m. newscast with Alison Morris since it was launched in January 2013.
Terzi said he plans to continue teaching at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting and is exploring teaching jobs at some area colleges and universities as well.
“I don’t think you can say I’m retiring, just retiring from the anchor desk,” he said.
Terzi said he began thinking about scaling back his career a few months ago when he and his wife Carolyn began making travel plans for their 50th wedding anniversary this year.
“She talked about a trip to Europe and cruise for three weeks and I said half-kiddingly, ‘maybe now is the time for me to step back from the day-to-day work,’” Terzi said.
Terzi, who began his career as a radio disc jockey in 1960, made the move to television in 1967 as a weatherman. He worked at WTNH for 14 years and WFSB for 28 years before coming to FOX CT in July 2012.
“He is truly one of a kind,” said FOX CT News Director Coleen Marren.
Marren said there will be a launch for his successor soon.
By MaryEllen Fillo, Hartford Courant