Longtime Radio Station Owner Thurston Dies
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Born in 1930, Thurston established the Berkshire Broadcasting Network at age 36 after a number of years working in radio in northern Vermont. Two years later, he purchased WSBS in Great Barrington.
The full obituary is here.
Under his direction, WNAW and the former WMNB on Curran Highway would become the must-listen-to stations in North Berkshire, covering local sports, community events and news, and broadcasting the popular "Opinon Show" each morning and the "Trading Post" on Saturdays, along with music.
He retired in 2004 after selling the network to Vox Communications and more than a half-century in radio.
Thurston was active in the community, including as president of the Northern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the board of trustees of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He also was president of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association and a former commissioner of the Massachusetts Cable Television Commission. He was grand marshal of the 1964 Fall Foliage Parade.
He was chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters Joing Board from 1977 to 1979 and served for many years on its board of directors. He also was chairman of the board of Broadcast Music Inc., which collects and distributes music license fees.
Services for Mr. Thurston will be Sunday, Oct. 11, at 2 at First Congregational Church. There will be no calling hours.
Editor: I saw the link to Mr. Collins' tribute Tuesday night but it didn't occur to me it was for our Donald Thurston or I would have included it in the story. It's a terrific tribute with wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing with us.
