John Noel, NBC 4 New York Reporter and Vietnam War Veteran, Dies

John Noel, an NBC 4 New York Emmy award-winning reporter and Vietnam War veteran, has died after a long illness. He was 62.

"Our WNBC family sends its thoughts and prayers to John's family," WNBC said in a statement. "He will be sincerely missed."

Noel joined NBC 4 New York in February 1998 as a general assignment reporter. The Brooklyn native was the recipient of the New York State Broadcasters Award in 1999 and has also received the Tenants Council of Brooklyn Award for Excellence in Broadcast Television.
 
Noel, who studied martial arts, covered hard news and features, and had a particular flair for Brooklyn stories. He also covered the aftermath of 9/11, and traveled to Africa to interview the parents of Amadou Diallo, an unarmed immigrant who was shot by police in 1999.
 
City Councilman Jumaane Williams said in a statement that his prayers go to Noel's family, which includes a young daughter.
 
"As a fellow Brooklynite, Grenadian-American and alum of Brooklyn College, I felt a special pride watching John's reporting and the superb character he displayed to those who knew him," Williams said. 
 
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz recalled Noel speaking candidly about his illness at Markowitz's annual "Take Your Man to the Doctor" health campaign event earlier this year.
 
Noel noted how, "even after his original diagnosis two years ago, he maintained a never-quit attitude and continued to do what he loved -- reporting the news," Markowitz said in a statement. "My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family as we mourn the passing of a truly great Brooklynite and one of New York's most respected journalists." 
 
Before coming to NBC 4, Noel reported for WJBK-TV in Detroit, and KSDK-TV in St. Louis.
 
Noel graduated summa cum laude from Brooklyn College and received a master’s degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. 
 
Noel joined the U.S. Air Force in the 1970s. While stationed in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, he was assigned to the Armed Forces Radio and Television Network as a radio programmer and announcer.  
 
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