Talk Radio Legend, Toms River Resident Bob Grant Dies

The man often referred to as the "father of conservative talk radio," long-time WABC and WOR radio host Bob Grant, has died.

Grant, 84, was a Toms River resident, according to a report on NJ.com.

Grant worked at talk stations WMCA in New York and WWDB in Philadelphia before gaining fame on WABC and, later in his career, WOR in New York, according to his biography.

Grant was well-known for his irreverence, sometimes telling callers to "Get off my phone!" during heated discussions and excoriating figures in New York and New Jersey – as well as national – politics with whom he disagreed.

Though often controversial – Grant lost his job at WABC after making a joke about the plane crash that killed former Commerce Secretary Ron Brown – he always stood by his opinions.

"Someone's got to say these things," he often said at the end of his shows. "It has to be me!"