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Carl Day dedicates Walk of Fame induction to memory of his wife

Carl Day former Channel 2 anchor/reporter, got a kiss from his wife Donna as he recuperated at home from a fall. Donna Day passed away early Thursday, September 24, 2009.

Staff photo by Jan Underwood Carl Day former Channel 2 anchor/reporter, got a kiss from his wife Donna as he recuperated at home from a fall. Donna Day passed away early Thursday, September 24, 2009.

Staff photo by Jim Witmer Donna and Carl Day walk together hand in hand in 1998. Donna Day passed away early Thursday, September 24, 2009.

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Retired Dayton television anchorman Carl Day kisses a photo of his wife, Donna, while he is supported at the podium by his daughter and son-in-law, Holly and John Eggert, as Day is inducted into the Dayton Walk of Fame on Thursday, Sept. 24. Day's wife, Donna, had died earlier Thursday morning.

Staff photo by Chris Stewart Retired Dayton television anchorman Carl Day kisses a photo of his wife, Donna, while he is supported at the podium by his daughter and son-in-law, Holly and John Eggert, as Day is inducted into the Dayton Walk of Fame on Thursday, Sept. 24. Day's wife, Donna, had died earlier Thursday morning.

By Dale Huffman, Staff Writer Updated 10:12 PM Thursday, September 24, 2009

With a heavy heart, a voice thick with emotion, and tears flowing freely, Carl Day accepted his place in the Dayton Walk of Fame on Thursday morning, Sept. 24, and dedicated it to the memory of his wife Donna.

Day, a retired news anchor for WDTN-TV, Channel 2, was supported by his daughter Holly Eggert, as he told the 150 well-wishers gathered for the ceremony, “This is not the occasion I thought it would be. My wife was so excited. She bought a new dress. She planned to be here with me. This is not what we expected. This is a rough day.”

Day was the final of five Daytonians inducted into the Walk of Fame during ceremonies at the Center for Regional Cooperation auditorium .

The ceremony had long been planned, and Day, a four-time leukemia survivor, had hoped his wife of 48 years would be at his side . Before he took the stage, Day, in a quiet conversation, said his wife collapsed earlier in the day in the family room of their Centerville home.

“We went out with friends for dinner last night, and she was fine,” he said.

Day said he was awakened about 3:30 a.m. when he heard his wife’s voice. “I slipped into my robe and went to the family room and she was sitting there,” he said. “She said 'Papa, Papa’ and seemed to pass out. I tried to revive her and called 911 right away.”

He said he was deeply shocked when he arrived at Southview Hospital, where it was confirmed his wife had died from an apparent heart attack.

To the audience , his eyes filled with tears, he said, “Remember to live every day to the fullest. You never know what tomorrow brings.”

Day, 71, pulled up a photograph of his wife , kissed it, and said, “We spent a loving life together, 48 years.” Then he thanked those gathered for a standing ovation and added, “It ain’t over yet. I’ve got a lot more to do.”

Day was honored for his long years as a broadcaster, and his civic good works. He has served as a community fundraiser for dozens of area charities.

Funeral arrangements for Donna Day, 67, have not been finalized.

The other inductees to the 2009 Walk of Fame were Laverne Kenon Sci, site manager of the Paul Laurence Dunbar home; Lucinda Adams, an Olympic gold medal winner in track and a Dayton educator; the late Vincent Apple, an inventor, engineer and businessman; and the late Rev. DeSoto Bass, a founder of the Dayton chapter of the International Ministerial Alliance.

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