When I tuned in yesterday to the 'Don & Mike Radio Show' I was stunned to hear that Freda Sorce, wife of co-host Don Geronimo (whose real name is Mike Sorce) had been killed in a auto accident in the Ocean City, MD area. At first I was hoping that it was some kind of terrible joke, but then I googled her name and found confirmation from dcrtv.com, which is a great source for news on tv and radio media here in the Washington Metro area. Here is what was posted on dcrtv.com:
Geronimo's Wife Killed In Car Crash - 7/11 - Freda Wright-Sorce, the wife of WJFK-FM afternoon man Don Geronimo, was killed in an automobile accident on Route 90 near Ocean City MD on Sunday. Neither her husband, whose real name is Mike Sorce, or their college-age son, Bart, were with her when the tragedy occurred. She was traveling eastbound on Route 90 at about 2 PM, when a vehicle avoiding a westbound accident swerved into the eastbound lanes and hit her Lexus head-on. Freda, who was a frequent presence on her husband's radio show, was taken to University Of Maryland's Shock Trauma Unit in Baltimore where she died. She was 50. Before marrying Geronimo some 23 years ago, Freda had worked at a number of radio stations in the DC area, including WASH. She and her husband resided in Great Falls VA and maintained a vacation home in Ocean City.
This is terrible terrible news. Everyone who listens to the Don & Mike Show knows Freda. Don called her or took calls from her all the time and she always added a fun and special element to the show. Listening to Don and Freda debate back and forth over one issue or another was, in my mind, a form of "reality radio." It was just fun and it was one of those little things that made the D&M Show unique among all the other shows out there.
I began listening to Don & Mike in the 1980's, when they first became a team and aired on WAVA, which was then a progressive rock station. My wife, Julie, actually began listening to Don when he was working in Chicago as a DJ for a radio station there.
My sincerest condolences go out to Mike Sorce and his son Bart. I still have a difficult time believing this has happened and I know it must be incredibly hard for Mike and Bart right now.
David Flanagan
Viewpointjournal.com
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Matt
I used to listen to D&M when they were played on KQBZ in Seattle. While KQBZ's midday guy BJ Shea had disagreements and disliked D&M for the way they trashed his station and Tom Leykis, BJ still was decent enough to, after confirming the news with various sources, give Freda a Moment of Silence before break.
Condolences go out to Mike (Don) and Bart.
2 - niki
i was deeply saddened as well.
i've been listening for about 15 years. i thought that yesterday, when mike, buzz and rob were attempting to "move on," it was too soon. the fans, although admittedly removed, need time to adjust to freda's death as well and adjust to how devastating this is for don.
3 - Zethon
The question is: is this the end of the D&M show?
4 - Theresa
Not since 9-11 have I felt such loss for someone I have never met...sounds dramatic, but it's true. Yet another reminder of the fragility of life...Freda's commentary was always enjoyable and I loved the dynamics between everyone. I especially liked when she would call her husband some kind of endearing pet name - showing that he was a real sweetie-pie underneath. Initially, I was shocked to hear them live yesterday. However, I remembered what I requested of those left behind if I were to go before them...And if this is how they choose to deal with such a tragedy, for the sake of Don, Bart, and everyone else grieving for the loss of this wonderful woman...I'll support them by listening.
5 - Panita
Freda was a pain in the a$$ on the show & very annoying, but I was very shocked to hear of her death.
6 - Joyce
My deepest condolences to Don, Bart, Big Freda and family. He helped me through the loss of my husband in '96. Please realize we are all here to give support and help in anyway possible to ease the pain.
7 - Jojomac
I've been listening to D&M for almost 17 years. I am completely blown away by this tragedy. I live in Ocean City and heard about the accident on our local radio station 98.1 WOCM (www.irieradio.com) as I was driving. We all knew of a fatality, and living in a tourist town, everyone asks the question, "I wonder if it's someone we know, or a tourist?" Freda, Don, Mike and Bart were almost like family in a way. Their loss must be so unbearable, I can only imagine. My heart, thoughts, and many prayers go out to her family and friends. I hope they can all get through this and find a way to cope. This is still so unbelievable. She was a really amazing woman. It's almost like we all listened to them grow up and grow ever closer through the years. It's just a damned shame.
8 - Mo Green
Since Don and Mike have used the show to make fun of other people's misfortune, I feel Don would want us to do the same. Please post your kokes about Freda's death here. I know Don would want that.
9 - Andrew Padulo
Don, Bart & Freda's Mom; My prayer's
are with you.
A Listener
10 - jc martinez
i lost my father in law in jun 13 2002 six months later i lost my dad in december 13 2002 aint that a bi#$% my condolences to the family i know how you guys feel
11 - Mike
I cried when I heard the news. I am a daily listener and was amused by her calls. I pray for her soul, and for strength for everyone that she touched.
12 - read this
Don Geronimo once said, "God can suck my @#@!" and here you people are saying things like "pray for her soul"? wtf... you can feel bad but no praying should be done.
13 - Al Barger
Dear Read This, please don't be such a JERK- as if a bit of irreverance should preclude one from receiving basic human empathy. Thank you.
14 - Aline
I have been a listener and fan of Don and Mike for only a short time here in Arlington, TX. But in that time I got to know the whole Sorce family as well as can be expected in 2+ years.
I don't know how Don or Mrs. Wright (Big Freda) feel, but I do know how Bart feels. I know the pain of losing a Mother.
To the whole Sorce and Wright families I pray that God comforts you all during this most difficult time as heaven welcomes a new angel.
15 - alex lane
we all here in rochester ny loved freda very much. she always made the show. were sorry for your lose. we lost too. freda we love you and will help don anyway we can. loyal listeners always. alex
16 - RochFan
Life is not fair, Mike and Family got boned and "Read This" is typical judgmental religious moron.
17 - mully
I couldn't care less about Freda, especially after the disgusting plea at the beginning of today's show from Mike, Buzz, and Rob to "respect" Don's privacy.
That's what these a-holes have been doing for years- disrespecting people's privacy, all with the excuse that it's good radio.
I could point to numerous times that they have absolutely crossed lines with people's privacy. They simply don't give a crap, hiding behind the "shock jock" BS.
F Don
F Freda
F Bart
F Rob
F Mike
F Buzz
P.S. Freda sucked when she called anyway. Good riddance.
18 - fukmully
mully...you are an ignorant ass. mike was trying to keep morons like you out of don's business. HIS WIFE DIED...HE IS A HUMAN BEING....respect that. They never called a recent widower to mess with him....Freda wouldn't have let them. It's people like you that don't grasp humanity that will live empty, meaningless lives...you don't seem to realize that don, mike, bart, freda, ect. are all real people...while you're a detached ass-hat. Go sleep with Ron Mexico douche-bag..
19 - bdwheaton
I feel a strange loss too...being that I first started listening to Don and Mike ten years ago when I was going through a rough time. I am not defending anything they might have done as far as talking about other's misfortunes. But for someone to say the things some have said over a real human tragedy is a sad commentary on the (human?) condition. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
20 - Dee
I have only been in the DC area for about 8 years. I absolutley love the Don and Mike show, but enjoyed Freda (Bart) most of all.
I thought it was really poetic of her to put her private business on the radio, to show that we are all basically normal.
I unfortunately heard about her death driving down 495 and burst into tears.
I don't care what religious affliation Freda (Don) are, I will still pray for them and thier family.
I appreciated her "wit" and "humor" and I will deeply miss her.
21 - Geary
I did not like the Don & Mike show much at all. BUT I am terribly shocked and saddened over his loss. This, I believe was the same guy who was all chocked up over the death of his dog a few months ago. He must be devestated and my prayes go out to him and his family.
22 - Dizzle
"Be respectful" they say. Haha. Those clowns have been disrespecting people for as long as I remember.
Quit riding Howard Sterns coattails.
Freda lives on whore island, in whoresville.
23 - billy
This is a shocking accident. My thoughts and prayers definetely go out to Freda's family. Don and Bart must be absolutely crushed. Freda meant everything to Don, I hope he is able to pull through in time.
24 - bruce adcoch
sorry about dons loss. do you think he is dating yet? I hear Pat Benatar is available
25 - Temple Stark
>>Mike and Family got boned??
What does that mean? Same as hosed?
The one thing this person who has never heard the Don and Mike Show - actually - two things - that I get out of this is:
1) Why was Mike, "Don" on the Don an dmike Show?
and 2) Though the original post brought my sympathy after reading through the posts, it still lingered, but I began to wonder how much of a tool Mike/Don feels about now as an apparent a-hole laughing at other's misfortunes in public for the last 20 or so years. And as is clear that, will be part of his legacy.
I'm not at all saying you reap what you sow, but it's a dirty way to make a living.