Australian radio titan Bill Caralis has been remembered as a “generous man” who went out of his way to help others following the news of his death.
Caralis was the founder, chairman and managing director of the Super Radio Network and owned 42 stations across New South Wales and Queensland.
2SM news director Dianne Coveny-Garland told listeners that while he built up a radio empire, he started off with humble beginnings.
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“Mr Caralis took over the family business in Marrickville in Sydney as a teenager after his father died,” she said.
“From there, he branched out to running a bottle shop and then moved into the building sector.
“He was president of the Newtown Jets from 1979 to 1982.
“In 1987 he purchased his first radio station in Griffith in south-western New South Wales.
“That led to a lifelong love of radio.”
Caralis died of a heart attack on Friday, according to industry website RadioInfo.
He was known as a family man and a private figure in the radio industry.
“Mr Caralis lived for his family and in March this year he and his wife Pam marked 60 years of marriage – their diamond anniversary for which they would have received a card from King Charles III” Coveny-Garland said.
“He was largely a private man but cared deeply for those around him.
“Bill was a very generous man and went out of his way to help others but wanted little fuss made.”
Caralis set up the Super Radio Network with stations including 2SM in Sydney and Radio 97 in Tweed Heads.
He is survived by his wife Pam and children John, George and Despina as well as a number of grandchildren.
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