By Hal Boedeker
Orlando Sentinel
Scott Harris, the veteran journalist who worked his entire career in this region and helped launch Central Florida News 13, died today. He had been battling kidney cancer for several months, and he was 64.
"Scott died peacefully this morning at Hospice of the Comforter," News 13 General Manager Robin Smythe said.
"He changed the way everyone did their jobs," said Jennifer Cook, who worked with him 11 years at News 13. "He was the mentor to everyone at the station. Everyone called him the Senator. He was the older statesman of the group."
Orlando attorney John Morgan spent time Saturday with Harris in hospice. "He was the journalists' journalist. Old school all the way," Morgan said. "His greatest qualities were his kindness and humility. That's why's so many of us are so sad."
Through the years, Harris worked as assistant news director and anchor at WESH-Channel 2 and as a reporter at WCPX-Channel 6 (now WKMG). He also worked as news anchor, reporter and producer for radio station 580 AM (WDBO)
But he was employed at News 13 twice as long as most places he worked. In March, his colleagues feted him at a Church Street Station restaurant on what had been proclaimed Scott Harris Day in Orlando. He talked about his affection for working at News 13.
"I have been able to change my role every several years and do something a little different," Harris said. He said he loved covering politics and the space program.
"It was my honor to work with Scott and be his friend for many, many years," said News 13's Smythe. "What he did for News 13 we will never forget. Our business and our lives are better because he was here. Our hearts are aching today."
Harris was crucial to the launch of News 13 in 1997, said Jane Healy, a former editor at the Orlando Sentinel. (The Sentinel and Time Warner Communications were equal partners when News 13 started; it is now owned by Bright House Networks.)
"He had a name in the market," Healy said. "It was critical to have him. It gave gravitas to 13."
Harris wasn't his real name, though. He was born Vincent McGough and took Harris as his stage name.
In March, Harris said he had a new role covering special events at News 13. But he only narrated several reports on the final shuttle launch and never appeared on camera again, Cook said.
"He was such a wonderful person," Healy said. "He never lost his zest for life or the journalism business. He had this insatiable curiosity about politics and the Space Coast. He went to the last shuttle liftoff. He loved sailing and golf."
Healy described Harris as optimistic and upbeat, even as he received chemotherapy. "He had smoked for years, and his lungs were clear," Healy said.
Healy co-anchored "For the Record" with Harris for seven years. The weekly program later became "The Agenda," which Harris anchored.
"He loved doing that show," Healy said. "He had a good relationship with politicians. His personality was more light than darkness. He didn't have a mean bone in his body. He knew more about politics than any other anchor in this market."
Harris was the frequent and popular moderator at League of Women Voters of Orange County debates.
He might not have been mean, but he was demanding. "He was known to drive producers crazy," colleague Cook said. "He'd ask: 'Why are we doing this? Who wrote this? Who cares?' Ninety-nine percent of the time he was right to question scripts. He became a teacher."
Harris was a graduate of Orlando's Edgewater High School and the University of Central Florida.
His two marriages ended in divorce. His survivors include a son, Emery McGough, who cared for him at the end. "It's pretty amazing to see how many people were affected by my father," Emery said.
Other survivors are three siblings: Jane McGough of New York City, Sue McGough of Central Florida and Tom McGough of Tallahassee. "My mom and dad taught us you do things because it's good," Tom said. "You teach, you help, you don't expect credit. … and that's how Vince lived," referring to his brother's original name.
There is no word yet on a memorial service.
Many colleagues visited Harris in hospice to thank him. Cook said, "A lot of reporters in the past several days came here and said, 'He's the reason I'm in this business.' "
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