The New Year is just days away, it’s a time for many to take stock, to think of better times ahead. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on those media people whom we lost this year.

Among them in our memory, radio lost a couple of pioneering personalities, TV lost a reporter, who quietly became a civil rights activist, and an executive who made his mark in public television in a second career.

Here’s a look at FishbowlNY In Memoriam: 2012

Robert Kotlowitz — After a long run in publishing, including the managing editor at Harper’s Magazine, Kotlowitz was tabbed to lead the upstart WNET/Channel 13. He was named the station’s first VP of programming and broadcasting in 1971.

• R. Peter Straus — He oversaw WMCA during its heyday, turning the family business into the number one station in New York in the late 1950s.
• Al Brady Law — A veteran radio programmer, who achieved his biggest brush with greatness as DJ and assistant program director at WNBC.
• Judith Crist — A renaissance woman, who could be a film critic for the TV Guide, or on TV, the Today Show. Earlier in her career, Crist was entertainment reporter for the now-defunct New York Herald Tribune.
• Warner Fusselle — The only Brooklyn Cyclones play-by-play announcer until his death, Fusselle was also known as the narrator for This Week in Baseball.
• Dom Valentino — Largely lost to history, Valentino was the Yankees, Nets, and Islanders radio voice in the mid-1970s.

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Dick Clark presiding over his final New Year's Eve (Dec. 31, 2011)

Dick Clark, who launched American Bandstand, and decades later gave millions a New Year’s Eve alternative, died today of a massive heart attack in California at age 82. The man long considered an influential figure in the world of broadcasting and rock music, was nicknamed “America’s Oldest Teenager” for his perpetual and youthful, good looks.

Clark suffered a stroke in 2004 causing partial paralysis. His speech was also affected as noticed each year since in his New Year’s Rockin’ Eve broadcast from Times Square. In 2005, he was joined by American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, who did the heavy lifting.

Clark was a standout talent behind the camera as well. He was the chairman and chief executive of the production company that bears his name.

“He was the absolute best,” Norm N. Nite, former WCBS-FM air personality, tells FishbowlNY. “Nobody did it better than Dick Clark. What can you say about a guy you know for 40 years?”

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He was a pioneering TV host and producer, but knowing Don Cornelius as the man of Soul Train only scratches the surface. Cornelius was found dead this morning at his Los Angeles home. The coroner’s office says it appears to be a suicide. Cornelius was 75.

He created Soul Train in 1970 at WCIU in Chicago. A year later, Americans jumped on board the train for a 35-year ride.

“Mr. Cornelius capitalized on an opportunity to serve a market that wasn’t being served,” WBLS program director Skip Dillard tells FishbowlNY. “While Soul Train focused on showcasing new African American artists and bands, a much larger audience than African Americans tuned in.”  

Bob Slade, an African American fixture in New York for four decades at KISS FM, and black music historian, recalls interviewing Cornelius many years ago.

“He told me his dream was to be a disc jockey,” Slade remembers.

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For the majority of people reading this article, the name Clay Cole  is unknown.

While everyone is familiar with Dick Clark, from 1959-1968, Cole was just as popular in New York. His eponymous show, in the American Bandstand mold, was first seen on Channel 13/WNTA (prior to it becoming a noncommercial station).

His popularity reached new heights when he moved to WPIX in 1963.

For the next five years, Cole’s show was the place to be–for viewers and artists alike. He gave the Rolling Stones their first TV audience in the states. Cole also introduced other artists to viewers, including the Four Seasons, Dion and Neil Diamond. He also gave comedians Richard Pryor and George Carlin their first break.

Cole died Saturday at his North Carolina home. He would have been 73 on New Years Day.

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On Tuesday, 11 media heavyweights were honored as “Giants of Broadcasting.” The event, orchestrated by the Library of American Broadcasting, was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan.

CBS News veteran correspondent Lesley Stahl and longtime ABC News reporter Sam Donaldson were among the notables on this year’s list.

Stahl told FishbowlNY that it’s a career highlight.

“It’s kind of a little bit overwhelming. But it’s nice, it feels good.”

Making it even nicer for Stahl is getting to share the honor with Donaldson, her former colleague from covering the White House.

Joining Stahl and Donaldson in the 2010 class of “Giants” is trailblazing radio announcer Hal Jackson. Jackson, 94, still hosts a weekly Sunday afternoon show on WBLS. 

• Legendary Dick Clark is synonymous for American Bandstand and his annual New Year’s Eve show. He didn’t attend the ceremony.
• Writer Norman Corwin, often referred to as the “Poet Laureate of Radio,” who turned 100 in May, was also unable to attend. 
• Soap opera pioneer Agnes Nixon was recognized for creating All My Children and One Life to Live.
• Edward Fritts is the former president of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB).

Four others who were awarded posthumously are listed after the jump.  Read more