EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Glenn Laxton, a longtime member of the Eyewitness News family, has passed away after a brief illness, his family confirmed.
Glenn wore many hats at WPRI 12, from our Emmy Award winning “Troubleshooter” reporter to morning anchor to news manager. Toward the end of his career, he was best known for his inspiring “Not to be Forgotten” stories, in which he explored the history of our community.
Before he retired from WPRI 12, Glenn served as our community affairs director, using his love and knowledge of Southern New England to serve as our liaison to the community.
He also dedicated 20 years of his life to the Rhode Island Army National Guard, where he retired as Communications Director with the rank of Major.
- Read his full obituary here »
Glenn is survived by his wife Linda and his three children.
Calling hours will be held Sunday from 2-5 p.m at the Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln.
He will be laid to rest Monday at 10 A.M. He will be buried with military honors.
U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse released a statement Thursday evening after learning of Laxton’s death:
I am saddened to hear of the passing of longtime WPRI reporter Glenn Laxton, a Rhode Island broadcast news icon. His enthusiasm for the unique history of our state was as well-known as his deep involvement in the community he covered for more than four decades. Glenn, like the subjects of his long-running series that profiled the stories of Rhode Islanders, is certainly ‘not to be forgotten.’
