When people recall Andy Williams, the words “wholesome” and “innocence” come up a lot.

Mainers who remembered Williams on Wednesday talked about the wholesome quality of his TV variety show and how watching his Christmas specials often became a family tradition.

And they remembered his voice, which took them back to a time when music and entertainment seemed more innocent.

“Those sweaters he wore make me laugh now, but I just remember watching (Williams’ Christmas special) every year with my family, and it definitely became a tradition,” said Karen Morgan, 48, a comedian who lives in Cumberland and owns an ice cream shop. “Just like you had Guy Lombardo on New Year’s Eve, you always had Andy Williams and his Christmas show.”

Al Sicard of Saco laments the loss of mainstream variety shows like the one Williams hosted. It’s hard today to find shows that showcase new talent and can still appeal to the entire family, Sicard said.

“When I was a kid growing up, the whole family would gather to see who Andy Williams would have on. I recall he was one of the first to give the Osmonds their shot,” said Sicard, 55, an advertising and marketing consultant who was a radio DJ in Biddeford. “Today, to be discovered, people have to go on ‘American Idol’ or something like that.”

Sicard posted a link on his Facebook page Wednesday to an audio clip of Williams singing “Moon River,” so that younger folks might get a sense of his talent.

“My daughter is 27, and I doubt she’s ever heard of Andy Williams,” said Sicard. “But maybe somebody her age will click on that post and hear what a beautiful voice he had.”

It was Williams’ voice, after all, that made his TV fame possible.

“Today, everybody is good-looking first and a singer second. But he represented a time when you had to have talent first,” said Tony Boffa, 62, of Falmouth, a longtime local band leader and music teacher. “He had absolutely spectacular pitch, a pure ballad singer who reminded us of the innocence of simply singing a beautiful song.”

Maine comedian Bob Marley said thinking of Williams on Wednesday brought warm memories. Marley himself is the center of a holiday entertainment tradition — his December comedy concerts at Portland’s Merrill Auditorium — so he appreciates all the more what Williams accomplished in his career.

“When I think of Andy Williams, I think of a good-looking dude with a great voice, a smile and a sweater,” said Marley, 45, of Falmouth. “I want to drink some hot chocolate, hold a Christmas decoration and start a fire. Bummer he’s gone.” 

Staff Writer Ray Routhier can be contacted at 791-6454 or at:

rrouthier@pressherald.com