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Joe DeNardo | |
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| Born | November 27, 1930 Martins Ferry, Ohio, U.S |
| Died | June 15, 2018 (aged 87) |
| Education | |
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Joseph William DeNardo (born November 27, 1930) was a meteorologist and TV/radio host based in Pennsylvania. [1] [2]
DeNardo was born and raised in Martins Ferry, Ohio. [3] He attended Wheeling Central Catholic High School in Wheeling, West Virginia. While at Wheeling Central, he maintained a 4.0 GPA and earned a place on the All-State basketball team during both his junior and senior years. His nickname on the team was “The Flash”. [4]
DeNardo graduated from Duquesne University in 1952 with a major in mathematics and physics. He was president of the Alpha Phi Delta fraternity. In 1953, he received a Master's in Meteorology from the University of Chicago. [5]
Outside of his professional career, he was an avid model railroad hobbyist. [6]
DeNardo began his career in the United States Air Force, where he served for four years and eventually commanded the weather detachment at Greater Pittsburgh Air Force Base. [3] He was honorably discharged in 1956. [7]
In 1957, he and David G. McFarland, whom he met while serving in the Air Force, opened a weather service business, DeNardo and McFarland Weather Services, located at the Allegheny County Airport. They sold weather forecasts to the Pittsburgh corporate aviation community, private aviation services, gas and electric utilities, construction companies, and local radio stations. The company also had a contract with Allegheny County, Pennsylvania to consult on air quality issues. [8] Many of the National Weather Service (NWS) personnel located at the airport worked part-time for the company.[ citation needed ] Around the same time, DeNardo began to advise KDKA's weather personalities before eventually appearing on-air himself. [9]
DeNardo eventually left KDKA, citing an unpleasant atmosphere. He joined WTAE in 1969, bringing his news anchor partner, Paul Long, with him. [3] DeNardo's popularity at WTAE was the focus of an advertising campaign. [10] In 2002, DeNardo carried the Olympic Flame through the streets of Pittsburgh as it made its way to the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah that year.
DeNardo retired from WTAE-TV on January 1, 2005. He remained a presence on the station for fundraising efforts and continued to deliver his annual "Winter Weather Forecast" on WTAE-TV until 2009. [11]
During the 2014 North American cold wave, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review interviewed DeNardo about his life and his opinion on the state of weather reporting nearly a decade after his retirement. [12]
DeNardo resided in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, (a suburb outside of Pittsburgh) following a seven-year on-air radio career and has remained a well-known figure among many Pittsburgh residents. [13]
DeNardo was known for his local work in the community. It was stated that he would visit schools every Wednesday "with the exception of holidays", often said to arrive via helicopter and presenting an assembly for the children. [14] In addition to school visits, DeNardo contributed to The Salvation Army and other causes. WTAE-TV hosted two annual charitable events that donated to The Salvation Army: the Project Bundle-Up Auction (which continues to this day) and the Bundle-Up Telethon. [15] In 2012, a road that runs through Moon Park in Moon Township, PA was named Joe DeNardo Way in his honor. [16]
During that time, they were the weather for many Pittsburghers. Today, the two meteorologists downplay their icon status.
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