RI Leaders and Colleagues on the Passing of Jim Taricani
GoLocalProv News Team
RI Leaders and Colleagues on the Passing of Jim Taricani
He was a musician, an artist, a writer, and public relations guy.
Taricani won numerous awards and was widely recognized by journalists when he refused to reveal who leaked a controversial surveillance tape to him during a federal trial. He was later convicted of criminal contempt of court on November 18, 2004, and sentenced on December 9, 2004 to six months of home confinement for not identifying his source.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHe held strong views about the field of journalism. In 2013 while he was still at WJAR he called out his own station.
He wrote on Facebook, "Some tv reporters like to draw attention to themselves...its an insult to most of us trying to be professional."
Taricani said the viral bear video produced by his fellow news reporter Julie Tremmel was "a smudge on our station's reputation."
He called them as he saw them.
Read from a collection of remembrances of Jim Taricani from friends and colleague below.
RI Leaders and Colleagues on the Passing of Jim Taricani
Governor Gina Raimondo
“Jim Taricani was a Rhode Island icon. His passion for his work, his tenacity and his integrity over his more than three decades in journalism earned the respect of Rhode Islanders everywhere. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”
Dan Barry, New York Times
"The great investigative reporter Jim Taricani has died. Covered Rhode Island organized crime like no one else. Fearless and thoughtful, competitive and generous: a true and kind gentleman. Honor is due."
Charlie Bakst, Former Providence Journal Columnist
"Jim Taricani was the best. A reporter’s reporter. Restless, relentless, tough as they come. But self-deprecating, sunny, uncomplaining despite a life of health challenges. Fabulous friend. May his memory be for a blessing, and may God bless his wife, Laurie White."
Bob Ward, Boston 25
"This is devastating news. Jim Taricani was a mentor and a true friend. One of the greatest reporters I have ever known. Fearless, fair, and kind too. This is tough. Peace to his family and his countless friends. Rest Easy, Jim. God Bless You."
Ken Bell, Retired ABC 6, Sports Director
"Sad to learn of the passing of Channel 10 investigative reporter Jim Taricani. A talented reporter and a man of courage following a heart transplant. My prayers are with his wife Laurie and family."
U.S. Senator Jack Reed
"Saddened by loss of Jim Taricani. Jim was such a trusted voice because he worked tirelessly to uncover the facts, report the truth, & inform the public. His exposure of corruption strengthened our community & his protection of confidential sources upheld core journalistic values."
Laurie White, Jim's Wife via Facebook
"Rest in peace, my dearest angel."
Sean Daly, former local TV reporter
"There I was, absorbing the news reverberating throughout Little Rhody on this Saturday, the death of longtime TV newsman Jim Taricani.
Then, popping up on the sound system, Aaron Neville’s unmistakable voice, inadvertently capturing Jim’s lifelong journalistic mission:
“Tell it like it is - let your conscience be your guide”
Jim, your conscience guided you rather quite well as you told it like it was all those years. You were a beacon for those of us who came after you, and particularly to this young reporter who, by coincidence when we met in 1981, had just arrived from TV news in Aaron Neville’s New Orleans.
“Life is too short to have sorrow
You may be here today and gone tomorrow”
RIP James Taricani, and deep condolences to the love of your life, Laurie White.
David Zapatka, Photojournalist Journalist, via Facebook
"As word filters out about the death of Jim Taricani, accolades are posting from the Providence TV market. He was a legend in these parts, and as a young newbie in TV, he was one of the first reporters I ever worked with. We hit it off right away, even though I'm sure he must have felt he was hand-holding for this new guy. Our working time together was a short 8 months as I went to a competing station before leaving the market 30 years ago. Whenever we'd bump into each other, he'd always say "Zap!" unless he was too intensely working on a story. Our love and prayers go out to his wife Laurie White, another former TV colleague. He will be greatly missed."
Josh Fenton, CEO and Co-Founder of GoLocal 24
"Jim covered me when I fought with Buddy Cianci as a Providence City Councilman. I later worked with him when he was press secretary to Governor Lincoln Almond, and sought his opinion when he retired from WJAR-10. He was tough, feisty, talented and relentless. A life well lived."
