Legendary Cape Cod Newsman, Francis Broadhurst, Dead at 82

CENTERVILLE – Francis I. Broadhurst, a legendary Cape Cod newsman and commentator, has died at the age of 82.

The Centerville resident passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on July 5, according to his obituary from the John Lawrence Funeral Home.

Broadhurst enjoyed a career that spanned decades on Cape Cod with newspapers, television and radio stations.

His iconic Broadhurst Reports were heard for many years on WQRC 99.9 FM.

The journalist also spent time working for the Cape Cod Times and the former Channel 58 television station.

“Frank was first and foremost a good man and talented, passionate journalist. His commitment, engaging sense of humor and laugh were an important part of the camaraderie and teamwork at WQRC for many years,” said Cape Cod Broadcasting Media Owner/General Partner Gregory Bone.

“The Broadhurst Reports were featured during 99.9, WQRC’s morning and afternoon drive and included everything from thoughtful political commentary to timely evaluation of important Cape issues facing our community,” said Bone.

Broadhurst was born in Becket on October 4, 1935, the youngest child of the late Charles J. and Kathleen Thecla Broadhurst.

According to his obituary, he served in the Navy before earning a BA in History from U-Mass Amherst in 1963.

Broadhurst began his career at the Holyoke Transcript before settling on Cape Cod in 1964 where he embarked on a long career as an award-winning journalist.

Second Barnstable State Representative Will Crocker (R-Centerville), who worked with Broadhurst in radio and television, praised his long career.

“Francis Broadhurst, many of us called him Mickey, was a true journalist, mentor, advisor, and friend in every sense. I had the pleasure of working with him in both radio and television and learned a great deal just from listening to him. I will miss him a great deal,” said Crocker.

Broadhurst enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and will be remembered for his passion for politics, cooking and gardening.

Dick Golden, a former announcer and program host at WQRC, remembered Broadhurst for his well-know work in community journalism.

“For a decade I produced a weekly one hour public affairs program, ‘Panorama’ and would often asked Francis to contribute features that called upon his gifts as story teller that often bordered on poetic,” said Golden.

“I did an annual Lincoln Birthday tribute which featured narration from Carl Sandburg and to hear Francis reading a Lincoln letter followed by Sandburg reading the Gettysburg address was, to my ears, a unique radio listening experience,” he remembered.

“He was a devoted dad and so proud of his children (they would often stop by the station and they were great kids!) and he had the best and most loyal supporter in his wife Carol,” Golden said.

Boardhurst is survived by his wife, Carol Jane (Cummings) Broadhurst; his daughter Catherine (Beth) Broadhurst, her partner Kenny Silva, her children Michael Garrity, Ashley and Bailey Campanini, and Spencer O’Connor and her grandchildren Jonah and Emerson of Cape Cod, MA; his son Jonathan Broadhurst and his children Tennyson, Julien and Winston Broadhurst of Charleston, SC; his daughter Tara Broadhurst of Boston, MA; his daughter Heather Broadhurst and her children Jacob Broadhurst, Elijah and Hannah Garcia of Charleston, SC; his daughter Jennifer (Broadhurst) Gerbino, her husband Tony Gerbino and their children Caleb and Jordan of Long Island, NY; his sister-in-law Lorraine Broadhurst of Dalton, MA; sister-in-law Barbara Dugan of Falmouth, MA; sister-in-law Polly and her husband Richard Moniz of Falmouth, MA; and his sister-in law Peggy Salthouse of Woods Hole, MA along with many nieces and nephews who knew him lovingly as Uncle Mick.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 pm on Sunday, July 8^th at the John-Lawrence Funeral Home, 3778 Falmouth Rd., Marsons Mills. A funeral home service will begin at 5pm in the funeral home.

Burial will be on Monday, July 9^th at 9:30 am at the VA National Cemetery in Bourne. A procession to the cemetery will begin at 8:30 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod, Development Office. 311 Service Road, East Sandwich, MA 02537 to support Spaulding Rock Steady Boxing.

By MATT PITTA, CapeCod.com News Director