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WJAR-TV NBC 10 meteorologist Gary Ley has given his last forecast at the Providence station.

Frank Colleta announced the retirement after Ley's first weather hit during the noon newscast on Friday.

"You know for many years Gary has put the weather in the spotlight, but right now Gary is in the spotlight" said Coletta.

"We want to let you know that this is his last newscast with us, after 31 years with us here at NBC 10, Gary is officially retiring" Coletta continued.

Gary Ley joined WJAR in 1984 as the chief meteorologist, and experienced his first big weather event a month into his new job. Hurricane Gloria hit Southern New England with a peak wind of 81 mph in Providence and 91 mph in Westerly.

Ley's position as chief meteorologist ended in March 2009 when the then Media General station let him go, along with 11 others. Weekend news anchor Kelley McGee and news director Betty-Jo Cugini were also part of the layoffs.

News of Ley's layoff drew criticism directed at WJAR from fans of the weatherman, who at that point had been with the station for 24 years. The following October, WJAR announced Ley's return as meteorologist for the expanded Weekend Sunrise shows. He later worked on the weekday Sunrise show, before going into "semi-retirement" and working as a fill-in meteorologist at the station.

In his time at WJAR, Ley has been honored with 10 Rhode Island Monthly magazine "Best of Rhode Island" awards for best male meteorologist.

Ley thanked viewers after a package voiced by Patrice Wood honoring him ran. "Thank you to everyone at home for allowing me to come into your home. It is a privilege for us and I really appreciate it, of course" he said. "I wouldn't have been here for 31 years if you didn't say 'Come on in, Gar - give is the weather!'" he joked.

Later in the newscast after his last weather hit, Coletta told Ley to enjoy retirement to which he joked "Yours will be just around the corner, right?" Coletta has been with WJAR since 1978.

Before joining WJAR, Ley spent two years at The Weather Channel, and was one of their original meteorologist when it launched in 1982. Prior to that he was a forecast specialist at the National Weather Service's National Meteorological Center in Washington, D.C.

Ley is also a retired commander, having served as a meteorologist in the United States Navy and the Naval Reserves for 20 years. He holds the Navy Achievement Medal for his time in the service.

Ley is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University where he earned a Bachelor's degree in meteorology. He also earned a Master's degree in meteorology from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Ley has also been designated a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist by the American Meteorological Society. He has been a member of the AMS since 1969, and has twice served a three-year term on the AMS Board of Broadcast Meteorology.

Ley will now have more time to "root on his beloved Nittany Lions, more time to play golf, and more time to spend with the family he loves - especially his grandchildren" according to WJAR.

WJAR looks back at Gary Ley's career, his last forecast and his goodbye

 

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