Windsor radio icon Patty Handysides signs off after more than 40 years in broadcasting

AM800 host Patty Handysides officially signed off Friday as she enters retirement.

After more than four decades behind the microphone, Patty Handysides has officially signed off.

The longtime Windsor broadcaster wrapped up her final edition of The Shift on AM800 Friday, bringing to a close a career that began in 1982 and has made her one of the region’s most familiar voices.

“I held it together most of the day till the end,” Handysides told CTV News moments after stepping away from the microphone.

“So many incredible memories. People coming in and calling from way back in my career... listeners calling in and sending wishes and texting. It’s just been amazing.”

Handysides joined AM800 in 1985 and spent the next 40 years in a variety of roles, including DJ, news reporter, news anchor and, most recently, host of The Shift.

While she’s looking forward to retirement, she admits the milestone still hasn’t fully sunk in.

“I still can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that I’m going to be off this summer,” she said.

“I don’t have big plans because I don’t know how I’m going to feel next week.”

Her final on-air message focused less on herself and more on the future of local journalism.

“I just want to make sure people understand the importance of local media — local papers, TV, radio,” Handysides said.

“When it disappears, that’s when you realize how important it is.”

She said local outlets keep communities informed about everything from council decisions and severe weather to neighbourhood issues and traffic, and urged residents to continue supporting local news organizations.

Handysides also thanked the listeners who have been with her throughout her career.

“I’m eternally grateful for the listeners to this radio station who stuck with us through the years,” she said.

“They call us, they give us ideas, they want us to know what’s happening in their neighbourhood.

“You don’t always get that in a really big city, but you get that here in Windsor-Essex.”