Longtime Erie radio personality Craig Warvel passed away from lung cancer Tuesday.

He was born in Corning, N.Y., and attended State University of New York at Geneseo where he got his start in radio reporting the news on WCBA.

Warvel moved to Erie where he joined WJET 1400 in 1981 and later JET 102 FM. He co-hosted the popular radio show Martin & Warvel in the Morning.

Warvel moved to Star 104 in 1998 where he also became known from his time on Warvel & Curry in the Morning.

He then hosted a show on 94.7 BOB FM from 2015 until his retirement in 2019.

Warvel is survived by his mother, two sisters and his son.

He was 67 years old.

Obituary

Erie lost a true legend when Craig Warvel passed away from lung cancer on June 20, 2023. He was born November 16, 1955, to Paul and Barbara (Turley) Warvel in Corning, NY.

Craig was graduated from Corning Painted Post High School and attended The State University of New York at Geneseo, where he worked part-time reporting the news on WCBA. Upon completion of college, Craig took several months to experience all that Europe had to offer a young guy with a backpack and limited funds, making many friends along the way. He then returned to WCBA for full-time employment.

Craig moved to Erie in 1981 to work as the morning news anchor on WJET 1400 and later JET 102 FM. His comedic and storytelling skills led him to co-host “Martin & Warvel in the Morning,”Erie’s #1 rated morning program, where he made us laugh with his quirky contests, double entendres, and parody songs.

He moved to Star 104 in 1998, and in 2003 co-hosted “Warvel & Curry in the Morning,”where he entertained and continued to build an audience that won him many awards and accolades. In 2015, until his retirement in 2019, Craig launched his own morning show on BOB FM –“Wake Up With Warvel.”

Craig had the privilege of interviewing many celebrities over the years, including his childhood hero, Evel Knievel, who turned out to be a big disappointment, and Ron Howard, who quickly became his all-time favorite.

When not on the air or co-hosting local live events, you could usually find Craig at one of his favorite watering holes or zipping down the road on his motorcycle wearing his signature bandana, denim shirt, torn jeans, and black boots (half eaten by his dog).

Craig was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harold and Mary Warvel, Dr. Roy and Vesta Turley, and his father. He is survived by his mother, his sisters Paula Giroux (Mark) and Vesta Andrews (Laurence), and his son, Levi.