Don Wolski, KHSU radio host dead at 56

Don Wolski, host of the Bayside Hayride show on KHSU radio and a Humboldt County technology pioneer, died at his Bayside home early Monday morning at 56 after a long battle with brain cancer.

Wolski, a graduate of Chico State in computer science, first came to Humboldt County to attend HSU from 1971-1975, and had worked at HSU since 1992, providing technical support for Global Information Systems and for faculty research centers inb the College of Natural Resources and Sciences.

Old-time music fans knew him as the host of Bayside Hayride from 5-6 p.m. on Sundays on KHSU, a mix of string band, bluegrass, folk and country tunes.

Wolski was an active member of the Humboldt Folklife Society and the Redwood Technology Consortium.

In October 2004, Wolski awoke to discover he couldn’t speak. A brain tumor was discovered. According to sponsors of a benefit dance and dinner for him last year, Wolski had two operations, as well as radiation treatment and chemotherapy.

Friends and family kept touch with his progress through regular postings on http://www.supportcircle.com/. Wolski’s wife, Maggie Gainer, director of HSU’s Office of Economic and Community Development, sent out word Monday morning:

“Dear family, friends and neighbors, This weekend, our home was filled with the love of caring friends. Don died peacefully today.”

A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, April 1, at the Bayside Grange Hall at 1 p.m.