HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The memory of radio personality Rick Shaw, who died more than a month ago at age 78, continues to be honored.
On Sunday, dozens gathered at Gulfstream Park's Sport of Kings to remember and honor the man who introduced South Florida to the Beatles by donating to a cause that was important to him -- the children in the community.
“He did not want a funeral. He didn’t want people standing around crying about him," Shaw's son, Sean Hummel, said. "He wanted people to celebrate. He wanted people to appreciate and remember his legacy and his life.”
The people who gathered were all friends, family and loved ones of Shaw, who introduced South Florida to the Beatles and helped launch so many successful careers.
"We're all here to remember a man that touched South Florida in so many ways," said radio personality Tom Caminiti, who is known as the Tell Italian. "He cared about the community, cared about the kids and was wonderful to all of us. He gave me my start in radio and so many others, and he was an icon to the radio industry in South Florida.”
Speeches were made, music was played and a number of tears were shed, but most importantly, money was raised and toys were collected for the organization Kids in Distress, a charity that provides shelter for victims of child abuse. It was a cause Shaw supported for many years.
"The children were his special thing," Hummel said. "I know that as a child, and he was a great father during my entire life, but he always had a really special soft spot in his heart.”