Bud Sawyer: Remembering a WPOR Radio Legend

For nearly 20 years, Bud Sawyer was a familiar and trusted voice waking up Southern Maine. As WPOR’s morning announcer from December 1977 to  January 1998, Sawyer became part of the daily routine for generations of listeners, building a lasting connection with the community through his warmth, sincerity and genuine love for radio.

Sawyer, whose full name was Wellington Oliver Sawyer, passed away in 2026, leaving behind a broadcasting career that spanned five decades and touched listeners throughout Maine and New England.

Nearly Two Decades on the Air at WPOR

When Bud Sawyer joined WPOR, he brought with him years of broadcasting experience and a natural ability to connect with people. For the next 19 years, he helped start the day for WPOR listeners, becoming one of the station’s most recognizable and beloved voices.

His on-air style was warm, friendly and approachable. Sawyer had a way of making listeners feel as though they were spending time with a friend rather than simply listening to the radio. That connection helped make him a fixture in the lives of countless Mainers, whether they were getting ready for work, heading out the door or starting their morning commute.

Before arriving at WPOR, Sawyer built his broadcasting career at stations throughout New England. He began in the late 1950s, working at WPLM in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and WAAB in Worcester before moving to Boston’s WORL. He joined Portland’s WGAN in 1962 and later worked at WLOB, beginning in 1975.

By the time he arrived at WPOR, Sawyer had already established himself as a seasoned broadcaster. His years at the station would become a defining chapter of his career and an enduring part of WPOR’s history.

A Genuine Connection With People

Those who knew Bud remembered him for much more than his voice. He was known for his kindness, honesty and straightforward approach to life. Friends and colleagues described him as a good, genuine, hardworking guy who believed in treating people with respect.

That philosophy came through on the air. In a business built around personalities and performance, Sawyer’s appeal came from being himself. He didn’t need to be larger than life to make an impression. His sincerity was what made him memorable.

His son, Mark Sawyer, described the legacy his father left behind as one rooted in kindness and service. Bud believed that small gestures could make a meaningful difference in someone’s day, a lesson he carried with him throughout his life and career.

As Mark recalled his father’s outlook: “It’s good for the soul to be kind to people. Just smile at someone; it doesn’t cost a penny.”

A Life Beyond Radio

Born in Boston in 1932, Sawyer built a life centered on family, relationships and a commitment to the people around him. He married Jan Sawyer in 1956, and the couple shared nearly seven decades together.

His legacy extended beyond the microphone through a spirit of generosity and service, reflecting his belief that being good to others was one of life’s simplest and most important responsibilities.

A Lasting Place in WPOR History

Radio is often described as a personal medium, and Bud Sawyer embodied that connection. For the thousands of people who welcomed him into their homes and cars each morning, he was more than an announcer. He was a familiar voice, a steady presence and a part of everyday life.

His years at WPOR helped establish a bond with listeners that went far beyond the broadcast itself. Long after his morning shifts ended, that connection remained a meaningful part of his legacy.

Bud Sawyer spent five decades in broadcasting, but his impact cannot be measured simply in years behind a microphone. It lives on in the memories of the listeners who started their days with him, the colleagues who worked alongside him and the family and friends who knew the man behind the voice.

He will be remembered as a WPOR radio legend—and as a man who understood that a little kindness could go a long way.

(Portland Press Herald photos)