ObituariesMaria Garcia, Former LI Morning Show Radio Co-Host, Dies: ReportsThe veteran broadcaster was 52.

Jerry Barmash, Patch Staff

Posted Wed, Jul 17, 2024 at 11:41 am ET|Updated Wed, Jul 17, 2024 at 12:32 pm ET

LONG ISLAND, NY — A veteran broadcaster with ties to Long Island has died. Maria Garcia was 52.

For nearly a decade, Garcia was part of the popular "Steve and Maria in the Morning" on WBLI Radio.

"I'm still in shock. It is with a very heavy heart and much reflection I share that Maria Garcia has suddenly passed," her former co-host Steve Harper wrote on Facebook. "I'm still trying to process the loss of her and what we shared together."

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According to her LinkedIn page, she was at the Long Island station from 1997 to 2006.

"I was at WBLI with her when she first started on Steve and Maria in the morning. Later down the road, she and I worked in the same building for CBS Radio in NYC," former colleague Jarrett Galeno told Patch. "I always knew her to be smart, quick and a go-getter. She hustled and worked hard. I am shocked, and she will be missed and remembered for sure."

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No cause of death was immediately shared.

Garcia is survived by son Ethan, who she shared with her former husband Andrew Kalb. She had a love for animals that included , Talkers magazine said.

According to RadioInsight, Garcia was a native of Miami and began her career in her hometown at 940 WINZ, 610 WIOD, and 105.1 WHQT. She moved to New York in 1996 as a news writer and traffic reporter for 880 WCBS before joining Cox CHR 106.1 WBLI in October 1997 as morning co-host alongside Harper, the outlet said.

Garcia brought her on-air skills to WINS and WABC Radio as an anchor. She also had a short stint on Fox 5, reports indicated.

She's held other positions in Miami, Long Island, and New York, and was also a two-time Gracie Award winner, Radio Insight said.

Garcia was a two-time Gracie Award winner, and recipient of other industry honors and awards.

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