Dear Editor,

I wish to send my heartfelt sympathies to the family of the children's television pioneer and comic actor Chuck McCann.

I recall his shows “Let's Have Fun” on WPIX-11 New York, “The Chuck McCann Show” on WNEW-5 New York, Chuck McCann's Laurel & Hardy TV Show, as well his memorable impersonations of Oliver Hardy and the puppetry of his mentor, puppeteer Paul Ashley.

So impressive was Chuck that I developed an intense interest in marionettes at the time, with my dad buying me a collection from Abraham & Strauss, stages through mail order, and a Webcor reel-to-real tape recorder to produce shows for my schoolmates.

We had no computers, no cells, no iPods or iPads, no cable or satellites. Just a simple television and Chuck weekly

Thanks a million, Chuck McCann! May you rest in eternal peace,

Sincerely,

Joseph N. Manago

Flushing