CONNECTICUT — Tom Monahan, a fixture on the Connecticut air waves for 45 years, has died at the age of 84, according to his former television station, NBC Connecticut, where he was a longtime political reporter.

Monahan suffered a stroke while in Florida on Sunday, his wife, Nancy, confirmed to the station. A Bristol native, Monahan retired from the station in 2010.

Before his legendary career at NBC Connecticut, Monahan was at Bristol radio station WBIS, The Laurel reported.

“Very saddened to learn this news,” Gov. Ned Lamont wrote on X. “Having been with @NBCConnecticut for 45 years, Tom was in all of our homes nearly every day telling us the latest news that was happening in Connecticut. He is TV news legend. My sympathies are with his family.”

Monahan was known for his friendly demeanor, but had unparalleled news instincts, which allowed him to break a plethora of stories.

For example, he was the first with the news that the Hartford Whalers were moving to the Carolinas, and also broke the news that the Patriots were considering a move to Hartford. Monahan was also first to report that the deal had fallen through.

Monahan started at NBC Connecticut in 1965 as an announcer, before moving to his reporter role.

“Monahan’s stint as a booth announcer led to opportunities to put his face on TV with that voice, and over the years he became one of the most beloved newsmen to viewers around Connecticut,” NBC Connecticut wrote.

Even during is retirement, Monahan kept up part-time work, “a day or two a week every few months or so,” in the political economic development arenas, according to his LinkedIn profile.