In Memory of Doug Cope

The SAG-AFTRA New England Local has lost a colleague and friend. Doug Cope, a SAG-AFTRA member for 37 years and a New England Local board member since 2015, died Jan. 3, 2024, after a short, brave battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 69 years old. 

SAG-AFTRA New England Local President Andrea Lyman said, “Doug Cope was a warmhearted, wise and affable man with a wonderful sense of humor. He was generous with his time and talents, volunteering on the SAG-AFTRA board and sharing wonderful ideas and thoughts for improvements. We could always count on Doug for sound, reasonable judgment in any meeting. He was also lots of fun to chat with outside of meetings. We will miss him. I can’t believe I won’t see his smiling face across the table. I always felt better with Doug Cope around.”

As a graduate of Emerson College, Doug began his radio broadcasting career in Maine and New Hampshire, then went on to Springfield, Massachusetts. In the mid-1990s, Doug moved on to WHDH radio in Boston. He was a talented reporter and news anchor at WBZ-AM in Boston from 2003 to 2020 and was heavily involved in contract negotiations during his time at WBZ. Doug won many awards from the Associated Press and the Radio Television Digital News Association. 

Doug put his heart and soul into the SAG-AFTRA New England Local, most recently as media coordinator during strike rallies this past summer. Doug also served on the New England Local Broadcast Steering Committee and the Annual Meeting Planning Committee, where he shared his knowledge and expertise. 

“Doug was a loyal unionist and strong advocate for fellow members, especially broadcasters. His help this summer during our strike rallies was invaluable, and he was a joy to have in the boardroom. His passing leaves a huge void. He will truly be missed,” said SAG-AFTRA New England Executive Director Jessica Maher.

For four years, Doug volunteered each week at the Talking Information Center in Marshfield, where he read news stories from The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and local publications to listeners who are blind or visually impaired.

Doug leaves behind a son, Ben, and a daughter, Elly, and many friends and colleagues.  

Anyone wishing to share their thoughts about Doug can email newengland@sagaftra.org and we’ll share them with his family.