Mark Haines, anchor of CNBC’s Squawk on the Street, passed away suddenly today sending shock waves throughout the investment community. Mark was part of my daily morning routine for 22 years. His penetrating insight and keen baloney detector made him one of the fiercest interviewers in busines broadcast journalism.

His colleagues at CNBC, and beyond, mourned his passing today publicly. I share their sense of loss. Although I never met Mark, I felt he was a part of my life because we spent so many hours together in the morning.

I never had the chance to interview Mark on my radio program, Brainstormin’ with Billy the Brain, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. Mark was a private man away from the camera and refused numerous invitations to appear on my show.

I don’t mourn the lost opportunity to interview Mark. I grieve for his family and colleagues who had a pioneer in business broadcast journalism pass away long before his time.