Saugus radio personality dies awaiting new heart

SAUGUS – Former neighbors, fans and co-workers shared the legacy that radio personality Andy Blacksmith, 50, formerly of Saugus, left behind as a longtime member of “Greg and The Morning Buzz” on WHEB 100.3 FM in Portsmouth, N.H.Blacksmith died while waiting for a heart transplant at Brigham and Women?s Hospital in Boston.Comments flooded his Facebook wall from friends and fans, who listened to the radio show, but local fans wanted to pay their final respects.John Sanford, who grew up in Saugus, just five houses away from Steve Celata (Blacksmith?s birth name), said Blacksmith died after a tough five-year struggle. They shared many childhood moments together.?We loved the same music,” Sanford said. “We always talked music and the newest bands way back in the day. He will be missed but always remembered. He left us much too soon.”Sanford said Blacksmith was an all-around fantastic guy and will be remembered by those whose day he made better by hearing his antics on morning radio. He said Blacksmith?s love for music was prominent as young as 15 years old.?Even when we were teens growing up on the same street, he would always ask when we bumped into each other, ?Hey John, did you hear about this new record release or this new artist? Check them out!? Sanford said.Yvonne Henry Story was a fan who listened to Blacksmith daily during her commute from Rockport to Lynn. She cited Blacksmith as the reason she became an organ donor. Blacksmith openly discussed his health condition, including his quest to receive a donor heart, and encouraged donors.?Andy was a voice from home, frequently referencing places I grew up with – the Palace, Giggles, the Hilltop and Kelly?s Roast Beef on Revere Beach,” Story said. “I laughed (or shook my head) daily. He made me smile, even as I was sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic trying to get to work on time.”Story said he made a difference and is missed.Fan Jeremy Cook, who had the chance to meet Blacksmith once, said he was funny and enjoyed listening to him daily.Co-host of “Greg & The Morning Buzz” Greg Kretschmar shared his feelings after receiving the news.?Naturally, we were devastated,” Kretschmar said. “Even though Andy?s condition was always front and center – and he was the first to joke about it – the reality of him not being here is still hard to believe. We are a family – and like most families, we loved each other and drove each other crazy – all at the same time. Andy was truly a one-of-a-kind personality whose absence will be felt for a long time. On behalf of myself, Laura, Scott, Kelly and Kayla (the remaining members of “The Morning Buzz”), we send our thoughts and prayers to Andy?s family and friends.”His wake will be held Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Homes at 549 Lincoln Ave., Kretschmar said.Like Blacksmith, Kretschmar encourages eligible people to become an organ donor at DonateLifeNewEngland.org.Operations manager and program director Jeffrey Pierce said it is a rough time for him and the radio crew. Immediate family members said they are also distraught.Blacksmith liked The Fools band (hailing from Ipswich) so much that he forgot singer Mike Girard?s name during his first on-air radio interview as a Salem State University student in the 1980s.?The last time I saw him he said something that included my band in his all-time favorites,” Girard said. “I was so honored, because if he didn?t dig you he wouldn?t play the roll. He was a total original.”