BATON ROUGE - Veteran news anchor John Mahaffey died overnight. He was 77.

Mahaffey is remembered as one of the most popular faces of television in Baton Rouge, leading the WBRZ news team during the Golden Years of TV – from the 1970s until he retired in May 1999. Prior to working at Channel 2, Mahaffey worked as a studio cameraman in Texas and also had stints as a technical director, film director and marketing manager.

In the WBRZ studio, Mahaffey is remembered as being the personality that held the news team together. He brought more life to the already lively television news industry.

“I chose this work because it wasn't dull,” Mahaffey said in 1999 when he was awarded the first Lifetime Achievement Award by the Southeastern Louisiana University Broadcasting Society - proof Mahaffey was loved by all; he was a graduate of the University of Texas.

When he retired, Mahaffey anchored the noon and 5 p.m. broadcasts at WBRZ.

Mahaffey died at Our Lady of the Lake following surgery earlier Thursday on a blood clot.

Watch for more on Mahaffey's legacy on all Friday editions of WBRZ News 2. If you have a fond memory, leave it in the comment sections below.

You can view an interview in three parts that Mahaffey performed with his father as he neared retirement by following the links below:

Part One

Part Two

Part Three