Legendary Akron radio host Howie Chizek dies of heart attack

AKRON, Ohio - A long-time voice associated with the Cleveland Cavaliers, as well as a local radio legend, has been silenced. Howie Chizek died Saturday evening of a heart attack.

Chizek was the midday host for radio station WNIR in Akron.

Bob Klaus, president of WNIR, told NewsChannel5 that Chizek died of a heart attack while taking underprivileged children to Disney World. It is unclear if Chizek died on the plane ride to Florida, or while on the ground in Orlando.

"We have lost a great friend very saddened by it as are thousands of people in Northeast Ohio who spent hours and hours and years and years listening to Howie," said Bob Klaus.

Klaus also added  "He was a very humble man off the air, of course when the on air light went on his persona grew immensely. His charisma oozed out over the airwaves."

Bob Lewis who has worked with Howie since 1987 says " He was part of the community. He was your friend. He was there for you for forty years".

Chizek was well known as the long-time PA announcer for the Cavaliers, announcing some of the team’s greatest players.

Funeral arrangements for Howie Chizek are pending.

Howie Chizek was 65 years old.