My sincere sympathy's to the entire Pappa family and WPVI station . I have watched Gary since he came to channel 6 and when I heard he passed away I felt like it was a very dear friend that was lost. He fought a couragious battle; Channel six will never be the same; Gary had a one in a million personality. The way he interacted with his co-workers was so fun to watch. I can just imagine how he must have been with his loving family.

I was very saded to learn of the passing of Gary watched him every night surely he will be missed. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. You will be sadley missed. Devoted Action News Channel 6 veiwer. Jack Haws

In Our Home he appeared everyDAY, a big smile, good news, great laughs in his own WAY. a gentle voice, an accurate commentary, a delivery unlike no OTHER, Sir PaPa brought it to you in style, with class always watching like big BROTHER. thank you for opening up your heart - thus opening OURS, candid conversation of your deepest TRAILS. fighting the battle, never missing a beat, we were with you every step - every walk - every MILE. So as we bid a FAREWELL we express a special 'THANK YOU' for saying it out LOUD - GET TESTED - GET TESTED - DON'T BE TOO PROUD! TO THE PAPA FAMILY WE SEND OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCE AND HEARTFELT PRAYERS. WE HOPE THAT YOU FIND STRENGTH AND COMFORT KNOWING THE MANY LIVES HE HAS TOUCHED. MAY THE PEACE OF GOD BE FOREVER WITH YOU. Sincerely - Forever In Our Home The Bears-Bailey Family

Gary was my friend, when I lived in Philadelphia over 15 years ago. Over the years, I lost touch with him and Kathleen, but I thought of them often and fondly. Gary was sunny and full of love and life. He wasn't afraid to try new things. He was generous and open and made me laugh. I remember basking by his pool...going with him and his nephew to see "The Jungle Book"...talking with him about relationships...fantasizing about marrying my then boyfriend in his spectacular house (that had virtually no furniture in it, in my memory)...watching him play "Hamlet"... I remember that he had invited me to the now-famous Duke-Kentucky game in 1992, knowing that I'd gone to Duke and was a fan. When I found out that he'd be broadcasting, and I'd be alone in the press box, I got shy and bowed out, opting to go to a lame one-man show at Plays and Players (I think) instead. Who knew Christian Laettner would sink that last shot making it arguably the best game ever? God, I will miss him. I so regret having lost touch. My love and condolences go out to Kathleen and the boys.

Gary, Thanks for your example- job well done true and faithful servant. Love and God Bless to the Papa family.

Rest in peace Gary, rest in peace. You will surely be missed but not forgotten by your collegues, family, friends, and the millions of us viewers who looked forward to watching you every day. With God's Blessings, Corrine

I remember gary Papa very well, not just from his sports casts but from a chance encounter in 1983. I was a Manager for an electronics shop in Montgomeryville. Gary must have been covering a story in the area. Gary and his cameraman came into the shop looking for some video tape. I helped him out. We were playing the Rolling Stones in the Speaker room. He actually started to bop around to the music. He discovered that I had a love of Philadelphia Sports, in particular the Flyers. He stayed for a 1/2 hour disscussing the Flyers' lastest aquisition, Daryl Sittler. We had a great time. His last words to me, were that he thought the Flyers would win the Cup and they were gonna Rock and Roll.

My utmost sympathy to Gary's wife and children. Gary was such a inspiration to anyone with a chronic illness. May he find peace in heaven and continue to inspire as he did so well

I watch WPVI news every day with my wife...we loved Gary Papa. I feel strongly that the WPVI family team needs to honor Gary, in a tribute similar to what the Phillies did for Harry Kalas (the wearing of HK ). The Phillies really showed how much they thought of Harry Kalas and what they did was accepted and felt all over the world. I feel that Gary Papa was also a very outstanding man and that his memory should be seen each time we tune into WPVI TV. I think it would be really, really special for viewers to see everyone wearing "GP" when they watched WPVI. My wife and I are hoping that the WPVI family does something "remarkable" for Gary's memory because he was such a "remarkable" man. Sincerely, Chuck Ferry

Philadelphia lost a legend with the passing of Gary Papa....gone too soon. He taught us how to face lifes most difficult challenge with a positive attitude, dignity and strength. His enthusiasm was never ending nor was his incredible smile. He was the true definition of a man: strong, compassionate, true to himself and those he loved...what a legacy he has left to his sons. May God bless his family, friends and colleagues. He will never be forgotten for he will live in our hearts.

I know Gary took the expressway to heaven. thank u Gary for being a part of my family,s life.

Gary's family, friends and co-workers are in my thoughts. We will miss his enthusiasm and how he demostrated his love for Philadelphia and its sports teams every time he appeared on the air. Thinking of those who were close to him. Liz Brass Horsham, PA

I have many fond memories of Gary growing up in Western New York. We would often play baseball together (the BBC - Boys Baseball Club) or swim, and when we watched sports on TV together it was with the sound off so that Gary or Greg could do the play by play. We will all miss him greatly and all week long we will be filled with great memories of his laugh and his smile. Kathy, you and the boys are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Ken Flaglor (cousin)

Donnamarie Trani

15 years ago

His courage and tenacity to turn a bad situation into triumph, Gary never gave up. May his family find peace and solice in knowing the attention to the battle of cancer in our lives. I just lost a few people that were in my life to cancer and it is a tough situation however the more people realize that the environment is causing it, the better. Peace on Philly..... RIP Mr. Gary Papa, my best to his immediate family, friends and fellow broadcasters.

gary was an artist of his craft. bringing the sports into our homes nightly. his passion for broadcasting will be missed. we personally didn't know him, but even so gary felt like a close friend and neighbor. someone who make you smile.thank you for many years. we will miss you

I loved his smile, his laughter and his wonderful personality. No, I did not know him personally, but felt I did seeing him everyday, more than I see my own family, and when the news came about his Cancer, I was crushed. We all went through it with him, saddened to see him go through it all, miss him when he was not there, elated to see him return. He was so courageous. My condolences to his family, friends and co-workers at Channel 6. You were trruly blessed to have known him--With Deepest Sympathy.

i did not know gary as many of us did'nt i did meet him once what a nice person i will really miss him doing the sports on action news my thought's and prayers go out to his wife and children and his close friend's and family and his action news family linda

When I was growing up, I will always remember how much focus my parents placed on watching the news and it was always Channel 6 Action News. This began my introduction to Gary Papa; Gary provided a comfort zone and gave a 'true identity' to what Action News is all about - staying connected to your roots and being a good and honest individual. That is what Gary is all about. I know his memory has and will still continue to touch so many lives. He was so down-to-earth and anyone that had the opportunity to know him and be 'touched' by him in some way should feel honored. Gary, I salute and commend you for your brave strength for always seeing the positive before the negative. Others should only hope to adopt your style and the best is...it all came naturally to you. Love and God Bless, Denise Sarkis-Irish 'A LONG-TIME SOUTH JERSEY LISTENER'

I did not know him personally but you could tell he was a good person,and was very good at what he did. I'm 34 now.....On a brighter note as a kid all the girls in our house had a big crush on Gary Papa. My blessings go out to his family..... I'm sure he would not want anyone grieving over him...and now he is not in anymore pain.

Thanks for years of being there Gary. You were a real professional and you won't be forgotten