CRANSTON – Art Lake, an icon of broadcasting in Rhode Island whose long career at WJAR spanned from the heyday of radio to the arrival of high-definition television, died early Sunday. He was 85.

Lake’s death was announced by WJAR-TV NBC 10, where he worked for 60 years until his retirement three years ago. A cause of death was not given.

Lake began his career at the WJAR radio station in 1944, during World War II, as an announcer. He moved to WJAR-TV when it went on the air in 1949.

Lake was perhaps best known as a weather forecaster, and he went on to deliver forecasts on all of WJAR’s news programs, including “NBC 10 News Sunrise” from 1985 until early in this decade.

“Art was a lifelong learner who embraced all the technological changes that came our way,” NBC 10 President and General Manager Lisa Churchville said in a statement. “He loved new computers, new forecasting tools and new weather toys. I believe he truly found his calling and had many wonderful years on air loving what he did.

“The affection was contagious and the audience returned the favor, loving Art as well,” Churchville added.

Lake is survived by his wife, Allie, three children and a number of grandchildren. Calling hours will be held Tuesday at Tucker-Quinn Funeral Home, 649 Putnam Pike in Greenville, from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be private.

WJAR will air a special 30-minute tribute to Lake at 5:30 p.m. Monday. The station also created a special section on its Web site about Lake, which includes this retrospective video: