New Bedford DJ, Former WBSM Jock Gene Daniels Passes Away
A legendary voice in New Bedford has been silenced, as the man known to audiences across the SouthCoast as “Gene Daniels” has passed away.
Bernie Fagundes, Sr. – who went by the professional name Gene Daniels – died this morning at the age of 70, peacefully, at home, with his family by his side. His son called into The Phil Paleologos Show to share the news with the audience.
Fagundes worked as a disc jockey with a popular oldies show on WBSM from 1976 to 1982, and also served as the station’s music director during that time. He ran a very successful entertainment business in the city for more than 40 years, DJing weddings, banquets, dance parties and other types of events.
"Gene was a kind, gentle man and just a good all-around family," City Councilor at Large Brian Gomes said today on The Barry Richard Show. "A cordial man who will be missed by this community deeply."
According to his Facebook page, Fagundes attended Holy Name Grammar School and what was then New Bedford Vocational from 1965-68. He then went back and completed his high school education and earned his diploma in 1986.
WBSM’s Jim Phillips notes that while Fagundes was hosting a Saturday afternoon oldies show on the station, he “also played an excellent left field on the WBSM softball team during the late 70s and early 80s.”
We leave you, at Gene's request, with the same song he ended each of his broadcasts with during his time on the air.
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