Philadelphia Television Weatherman Dies

New Jersey resident David Frankel during a 6 ABC Weathercast on WPVI-TV. Image: WPVI-TV / 6 ABC

Philadelphia Television Weatherman Dave Frankel of Channel 6 ABC fame has died. The television weatherman passed at the age of 67 after suffering from Primary Progressive Aphasia, a form of Frontotemporal Dementia.

His family wrote on his Facebook page today the following message:

With a heavy heart, we’re sharing that Dave passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by his loved ones.

We are very grateful for your ongoing love and support. The remembrances and stories you shared in response to our last post brought us much-needed moments of happiness and laughter during this difficult time.

Funeral services are being planned for Sunday in Villanova.

Thank you for keeping all of us in your thoughts and for being part of Dave’s Wonderful Life.

With love and gratitude, Marjie, Bailey, Scott, and Charlie

Marjie was his wife while Bailey, Scott, and Charlie are his three adult children.

Frankel worked with the Philadelphia ABC affiliate, WPVI-TV, from the mid 1980’s through the mid 1990’s. He joined the station as an investigative reporter. And on one fateful night in 1989 when the evening newscast needed someone to fill in to do weather, Frankel stepped forward and volunteered. An instant hit, he then permanently moved to the role of weathercaster until 1996 when his role morphed into reporting on technology and the rise of the internet. He eventually left television all together in 2000 and pursued a new career in law.

As a lawyer, Frankel’s specialty was working with families and kids including cases dealing with Special Education Law.

Earlier this month, Marjie Frankel provided an update on her husband’s health situation on Facebook:

Several years ago, he discovered that he could no longer recall the names that had once so readily come to him. I took notice one summer evening, when the issue broadened to word comprehension, as he no longer knew what “firefly” meant. Thus, our journey began to figure out what was going on.

Beginning at Penn, the initial diagnosis was unremarkable. As his condition worsened, Penn re-diagnosed him with Primary Progressive Aphasia, a form of Frontotemporal Dementia. Penn could not offer an explanation for the origin of this lesser-known form of dementia, and had no means of stopping its progression. At the time, Dave could still articulate that he wanted to do “anything and everything” to slow or reverse the condition.

Our family dove in, beginning the years-long assignment of connecting with brilliant minds involved in the research and treatment of lesser-understood neurodegenerative disease. I can’t tell you how many devoted, talented, and caring researchers, physicians, and healers we found, deep in the world of both western medicine and those in the alternative space. I will be forever grateful that our family had the rare opportunity to leave no stone unturned when it came to accessing the most innovative working theories and treatment approaches.

How sad it has been for me to realize that the dynamic, funny, bright, proud, warm, open-hearted human with whom I raised our children, slowly fades away. We have accepted that this disease has taken so much of him from us, but feel endlessly grateful to have the privilege of being his family. And, not to sound trite, but while so much has been taken away, so much has been given: Dave is responsible for making and shaping three beautiful, funny, smart humans who adore him. Watching Dave welcome six grandchildren over the past three years keeps life good.

And, what about me? I’ve been one of the luckiest people on the planet as his best friend and wife. I know he would want me to continue living, which miraculously I am able to do with the support of the most loving and dedicated team of caregivers.

According to the family, Dave Frankel’s Memorial Service will take place at noon on Sunday, March 2nd at the Inn at Villanova University, 601 County Line Rd., Wayne, PA. His burial will take place prior to the Memorial Service on Sunday morning, and the family will sit shiva on Monday evening.

“Dave was one of Alex’s Lemonade Stand’s biggest supporters. For many years, he proudly emceed Alex’s “Original” Lemonade Stand (ALSF) and was the auctioneer at The Lemon Ball. Dave cherished his moments with Alex Scott and his friendship with Alex’s parents, Jay and Liz,” his wife wrote. Due to that bond, donations can be made to ALSF in his memory: https://www.alexslemonade.org/memorial/dave-frankel