Pinky Kravitz, A.C. radio icon

By Amy S. Rosenberg

Ah, Pinky, we all knew this day would come, but somehow, it seemed like it never would. Pinky Kravitz, a radio icon, Atlantic City booster, man about town, every reporter's friend, every politician's egger-on-er, the ultimate insider, the ultimate symbol to the outside, a guy who outlasted all others to become, by his last chapter, the ultimate go-to guy, the voice of Atlantic City, died Saturday night (right on deadline, way to go, champ!) at the age of 88.

I first met Pinky coming off one of the indoor tennis courts in West Atlantic City, where he was in a regular doubles game. I later met Pinky at Atlantic City events, over and over again. He was everywhere; he went to everything. His Saturday night TV spots had real information. I made a point of periodically calling Pinky up to find out what he knew, and he knew a lot. He could save you on deadline.

Pinky was proudly the tall guy in the sweater in the front of the press conference or the first row of the ribbon cutting, the first questioner, the guy with the final word, the guy blocking your view. But to call Pinky merely a booster sells him short.

Pinky knew stuff, he worked sources, even after he became the best source of them all (rivaled these days maybe only by another tall guy with a signature style who always tells you more than you anticipated, the mayor himself, Don Guardian). Pinky lobbied for the Salute to America's Armed Forces Parade, then did running commentary on the radio. He was angry when Miss America left town for Vegas in 2006 but was instrumental in bringing it back, graciously. He survived the tragic death of his daughter, Cherri, a teacher in Atlantic City's public schools, who died of breast cancer on May 6, 2006. Pinky created a foundation in her memory that gives scholarships to Atlantic City graduating students every year. And there's a bench on the Boardwalk. And once again, I apologize for accidentally breaking my Pinky bobblehead, which raised money for Gilda's Club first, then for the Cherri Kravitz Foundation.

Atlantic City's great casino collapse of 2014 was tough to bear, but Pinky stayed upbeat and looked toward the future. There were always another six ideas to consider. He is even forgiven for the painted wooden Boardwalk Empire backdrop prop that sits on the real Boardwalk as a photo op, his obsession for years, which never quite lived up to the hype. And it must be said, he lived in Ventnor. But right on the border! In the last year, he was dealing with his own health issues after heart surgery. He finally missed a show after all those decades. Then his retirement was announced, but sadly not by Pinky. Time had finally caught up with the timeless Pinky Kravitz.

Atlantic City is many things, but absolutely a great talk radio town. You can spend all day listening to two local talk stations, WOND and WPG, 1400 and 1450 on your AM dial or your radio app, and every issue, every development, every newspaper story, every comment, every rumor, is dissected again and again. Pinky tapped into that, and his Pinky's Corner was must-listening. It bounced around, broadcasting from tennis courts, hotels, theaters, a burlesque house, comically, putting roots down in casinos that then went under, finally settling on the Borgata, which seemed like a good bet.

And while people keep saying there will never be another Pinky, I see Pinkys all around this town, where people show up, stay awhile, and fall in love with the place, constantly try to make it act like its best self. Here's looking at you, Frank Becktel (Jitney Guy), or Mike Hauke of Tony Baloney's, who walked the New Yorker through the place's quirks (Pinky himself got a star turn in USA Today), or Pinky's fine replacement in the radio slot, entertainment writer Scott Cronick, whose 50 Bites promotion for AC Weekly has us all running around from bar to bar to bar to bar. Pinky would be proud.

Every five years, people wanted to celebrate Pinky's anniversary of being on the air and, incredibly, never missing a show. I resisted the 40th, then the 45th, but I broke down for Pinky's 50th, writing a love letter to the guy. (I mean, I started the story "This is a love letter to a guy named Pinky.") He never let me forget it!

Sure enough, when his 55th rolled around, I got lobbied to pay tribute, again. There is no way to adequately do that job, so all I can say is, RIP Pinky, thanks for all the help, all the friendship, all the good tips, all the love for Atlantic City. You made it fun being part of the ever-motley but ever-devoted Atlantic City press corps.

As Wayne Parry of the Associated Press wrote on Twitter, "You were a gem of a human being." You were an original.

A public memorial service is planned for Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at Temple Beth El, Margate.

Amy S. Rosenberg is an Inquirer staff writer. arosenberg@phillynews.com