Longtime WGAL photographer Phil Drayden dies
FILE PHOTO
(Lancaster) — Longtime WGAL-TV photographer Phil Drayden has died, according to WGAL anchor and longtime friend Ron Martin.
Drayden, who worked for WGAL-TV for 26 years until 2007, died at York Hospital last weekend after a battle with colon cancer. He was 60.
He also was a long-time freelancer at WITF.
A William Penn Senior High School graduate, he began his career at the former WSBA-TV, now WPMT, in the late 1970s. He went to work for WGAL in 1981 and soon after that became the photographer in the York bureau working with Martin. He and Martin had known each other in high school — Drayden was a year ahead of Martin.
“Phil made me look good for 20 years,” Martin said Tuesday. “I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”
Often when Drayden and Martin would be out in the field reporting on a story, people flocked to Drayden. He seemed to know everybody, Martin said.
He was also known for his sense of humor. Martin said he was would introduce Drayden as “his photographer,” and Drayden would correct him.
“You’re my reporter,” he would say.
This article is part of a content-sharing partnership between WITF and the York Daily Record
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
