‘Good Morning America’ Mourns ‘Beloved’ Family Member

Good Morning America mourned the death of a family member during its September 3 episode.

To end its broadcast on Thursday, the ABC morning show shared a tribute to Francisco Antonio “Fran” Saldaña, a TV engineer and GMA employee, who died at 70 on August 29.

“Before we go today, we want to celebrate Francisco Saldaña, a beloved member of the GMA family,” Rebecca Jarvis said as photos of Saldaña were displayed.

She added, “Fran had an extraordinary career,” explaining how he began working in the Dominican Republic, his home nation. Additionally, Jarvis noted that Saldaña covered the Nicaraguan revolution before moving to the U.S.

Meanwhile, Whit Johnson pointed out, “He did everything from launching cable systems to teaching college before coming to ABC and becoming a treasured member of the GMA engineering team.”

He continued, “We’ll remember him for his curiosity, love of travel and gardening, and his humor. He will be missed.”

Gio Benitez ended the tribute by declaring, “We will miss him.”

According to an online obituary, died from congestive heart failure in Newark, New Jersey.

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Saldaña died of congestive heart failure at his home in Newark, N.J., according to an online obituary.

The obit also noted that he began his career in the ’70s at Tele-Inde, Channel 13 in the Dominican Republic. There, he became a news story himself when he and a reporter, Noris Desena, lost contact with the newsroom in the middle of covering the Nicaraguan revolution. During his time at Tele-Inde, the station won a gold medal as the best news program in Santo Domingo.

Saldaña is survived by his wife, Soraida Peres; two children, Charles Frank Saldaña and Lucas Francisco Saldaña; two grandchildren; and a niece.

Good Morning America, Weekdays, 7 a.m., ABC