Shaun Ganley, a longtime digital journalist who spent more than a decade working for Hearst Television’s WCVB in Boston, died Friday following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 45.
His death was announced earlier this week in a news story published by WCVB (Channel 5, ABC), where Ganley spent 12 years working on the station’s digital news team before departing in 2024.
“With profound sadness, we share the passing of longtime, dedicated WCVB employee Shaun Ganley, who gave more than a decade of service to NewsCenter 5 and our coverage of Greater Boston,” the station said in a statement.
Ganley was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer over the summer, according to a close personal friend who was familiar with his medical condition.
Ganley grew up in Brooklyn and attended the State University of New York (SUNY) in Oswego, where he initially studied meteorology before developing an interest in television production through the school’s student-run television station, WTOP (Channel 10). He switched his major to broadcasting and eventually became the General Manager of WTOP. (The TV station is not affiliated with the Washington, D.C. radio outlet with the same call letters.)
During his final semester of college, Ganley was hired as a weekend producer at WSYR (Channel 9, ABC) in Syracuse, then known as WIXT. Following his graduation in 2003, he became a full-time producer, working on the station’s morning newscasts.
He later moved to the station’s 11 p.m. newscast before becoming its first full-time web producer, helping WSYR expand its digital news operations.
After a brief stint with NBC WeatherPlus in the New York City area, Ganley returned to WSYR as Webmaster for nearly two years.
He subsequently joined Hearst Television, spending nearly two years managing digital media at WTAE (Channel 4, ABC) in Pittsburgh before transferring to WCVB in Boston.
At WCVB, Ganley became an important part of the station’s digital news operation, helping support its coverage of Greater Boston over more than a decade.
Outside journalism, Ganley was an avid traveler, skier and photographer who frequently documented his experiences around the world. His photography sometimes found its way into news coverage, according to former colleagues.
Ganley was proud of his First Nation heritage and maintained close relationships with family members in Kahnawake, Canada. He remained a lifelong fan of the New York Mets and New York Jets despite spending much of his professional career covering sports and news in other markets.
WCVB said Ganley remained in contact with former colleagues during the final weeks of his life.
“Although he left WCVB in 2024, his legacy continues to influence our work, and he will always be part of the NewsCenter 5 family,” the station said.
Ganley is survived by his parents, Bob and Vicki, and extended family. His family said no funeral services will be held.
