Buffett Serenaded Cronkite in Final Weeks

Jimmy Buffett was a good friend of legendary broadcaster Walter Cronkite, who died July 17th at the age of 92. At Cronkite’s funeral today in Manhattan friends noted that Jimmy Buffett had recently visited him:

Sandy Socolow, Cronkite’s longtime executive producer and friend, took center stage. He told a series of affectionate anecdotes, highlighting Cronkite’s imperfections.

At one point, Mr. Socolow recalled that one day, towards the end of his life, Mr. Cronkite received a visit from the patron saint of beaches, sailing, and cocktails. Jimmy Buffett, he explained, had landed his waterplane on the East River, not far from Cronkite’s apartment. Mr. Buffett then proceeded to serenade the newsman turned sailor with a jamming ukulele.