Reported by: WPTV Staff
Tuesday was a special day and bit of a sad day for us here at NewsChannel 5. It's the day one of our longest-serving and well-loved employees retired.
He's worked here for more than three decades and for many of us he's more than a colleague.
You probably don't know Tony Araujo, but a lot of what you've seen here on NewsChannel 5, Tony has captured on film and then videotape.
"They like the way I do spot news they call me the spot news guy," says Tony.
That's the way Tony enjoys referring to himself in a career that started with heavy, bulky equipment 33-years-ago.
"At the beginning. I hate it because it was a job put food on my table and try to save money for college but then somehow I start to love my job," says Tony.
"I think he epitomizes the tradition of success at Channel 5. 50 years of history and Tony has been with us for 33 of those years it has been his commitment his hard work his passion he comes into every day with his camera in hand ready to run ready to serve the community," says General Manager Brian Lawlor.
Bill Brooks, Former General Mangaer says, "I always referred to Tony as the 'can do guy' his English wasn't the best at all time but his attitude was the best."
Tony came to the United States from Cuba in 1962, with his wife and young son. With his wife of 50 years, Hilda, their family grew with two sons a daughter, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
"He and I would get into the car and go to Pahokee or Boca when we would have a 30 minute drive and and we would talk about his life how he and his wife met how much he loves his wife the ups and downs of marriage how they met when they were children and how they came to the U.S. and those are the stories that I value," says Chandra Bill.
While Tony has covered just about every story in our area, many at NewsChannel 5 think of him as more than a photographer. They often look to him for advice, and in one case, his suggestions turned into a happy marriage.
"Tony Araujo has a special place in my heart and always will. I refer to Tony as my Cuban match-maker," says Kelley Dunn. "He was very instrumental in my early days when I was dating my now husband John Perez who worked at Channel 5 when I started in 1986. John would talk to Tony, 'Will she go out with me?' And I would talk to Tony about 'Will he go out with me?' and so he was just the best person. He was the go between between for us."
Tony did it all: A photographer and a relationship counselor. His enthusiasm also got him in front of the camera.
Tony was the first reporter for the first Spanish television show in our area.
Over the years Tony has made his mark on NewsChannel 5 and in 2002 he was selected to carry the Olympic Torch on it's run through Florida.
"Doing this for the country that I love the country that gives me the opportunity to live my life with my family. You know I start to cry and I am not a guy who cry easily," says Tony.
But you can't talk about Tony, without mentioning his dancing.
Tania Rogers says,"Tony is a great dancer. One time we were at an event for Channel 5 and they started playing Spanish music and I'm already intimidated because I've seen Tony and his wife dance before. He starts making me do turns and he's jumping and doing all kinds of things the crowd watched to see him dance."
Tony has become like a member of the family and we're going to miss all that he's brought to the job.
"He's very good at giving advice one of his best tidbits he gave to me in the many mornings we talked is to always take care of your family because you can always find another job but you can't find another family that's the best tidbit and the most influential piece of advice he's ever given to me," says John Favole.
While Tony won't miss lugging the camera, there are some things he will miss.
"I'm going to miss you guys a lot. 33 years day by day see you guys won't be easy not seeing you guys maybe across the TV. Not like every morning we come here we talk for a little while that is something that won't be easy I'm going to miss you guys," says Tony.
