Joe DeNardo
Encyclopedia
Joseph William DeNardo (born November 27, 1930) is a Pittsburgh meteorologist. He is known for his 1994 Campaign "Joe Said It Would" the first "Said It Would" slogan in the nation. DeNardo currently resides in Moon Township, Pennsylvania
with his wife of almost 60 years.
and attended Wheeling Central Catholic High School
in Wheeling
, West Virginia. While at Wheeling Central, DeNardo averaged a 4.0 GPA. In addition, Joe was an outstanding basketball player, making the All-State team both his Junior and Senior year. His nickname on the court was "The Flash" due to his speed and quickness on the court. Perhaps the best shot of his career was against his hometown of Martins Ferry, where he hit a buzzer beater jumper to win the game. While in the air, DeNardo was fouled hard and knocked unconscious.
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 Masters in Meteorology from The University of Chicago
logging 54 academic credits in a calendar year.
, providing weather reports to authorities. DeNardo served four years in the Air Force, achieving the rank of Commander of the weather detachment at the Greater Pittsburgh Air Force Base. He was honorably discharged in 1956.
In 1957 he opened DeNardo and McFarland Weather Services with his friend David G. McFarland, whom he met in the Air Force. "DeNardo and McFarland", located at the Allegheny County Airport, would sell weather forecasts to the Pittsburgh corporate aviation community (17 clients including Westinghouse, Rust Eng. and ALCOA), private aviation services, gas and electric utilities, construction and local radio stations. Many of the US Weather Services (NWS)personnel located at the airport would work part time for DeNardo & McFarland, one flight down.
KDKA-Channel 2 hired DeNardo in the late 1950s to brief its on-air weather personalities before every newscast. Eventually, Channel 2 managers asked him to do a few forecasts for the TV station's sibling radio station, KDKA-1020 AM.KDKA
Radio started DeNardo broadcast career in 1957. DeNardo and KDKA reached an agreement where he would broadcast his weather reports on television. KDKA became one of the first stations in the country with a "real meteorologist" as a part of the programming and Joe began his regional fame and celebrity status. After a new manager took over, DeNardo and KDKA had a falling out, landing DeNardo at WTAE-TV
in 1969. He and news anchor Paul Long moved from KDKA to WTAE, continuing their often sardonic banter when Long would introduce DeNardo for the weather segment of the news.
DeNardo retired from WTAE-TV on January 1, 2005. He remained a presence on the station for fund-raising efforts, and continued to deliver his annual "Winter Weather Forecast" on WTAE-TV until 2009. Pittsburghers immediately think of him when they hear the slogan "Joe said it would."
Until 2009 DeNardo offered his winter weather forecast through ESB Bank, providing white boards with his winter weather forecast to bankers. They can be picked up in any ESB Bank branch.
Along with school visits, DeNardo has donated endless money and hours giving back to the community through The Salvation Army
and his own actions. WTAE-TV would host two charitable events each year that donated to The Salvation Army, the Project Bundle-Up Auction, and the Bundle-Up telethon. DeNardo hosted both of these events.
Moon Township, Pennsylvania
Moon Township is a township along the Ohio River in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. Moon is a part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area and is located northwest of Pittsburgh. The origin of its name is unknown for certain, although it has been suggested that it derives from a...
with his wife of almost 60 years.
Early life
Joe DeNardo was born and raised in Martins Ferry, OhioMartins Ferry, Ohio
During the census of 2000, there were 7,226 people, 3,202 households, and 1,959 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,345.1 people per square mile . There were 3,680 housing units at an average density of 1,703.6 per square mile...
and attended Wheeling Central Catholic High School
Wheeling Central Catholic High School
Wheeling Central Catholic High School is a parochial, Roman Catholic high school in Wheeling, West Virginia. It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.-Graduation Requirements:*English - 4 credits*Social Science - 4 credits...
in Wheeling
Wheeling
-Places in the United States of America:*Wheeling, Illinois*Wheeling, Carroll County, Indiana*Wheeling, Delaware County, Indiana*Wheeling, Gibson County, Indiana*Wheeling, Missouri*Wheeling, West Virginia...
, West Virginia. While at Wheeling Central, DeNardo averaged a 4.0 GPA. In addition, Joe was an outstanding basketball player, making the All-State team both his Junior and Senior year. His nickname on the court was "The Flash" due to his speed and quickness on the court. Perhaps the best shot of his career was against his hometown of Martins Ferry, where he hit a buzzer beater jumper to win the game. While in the air, DeNardo was fouled hard and knocked unconscious.
DeNardo graduated from Duquesne University
Duquesne University
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...
in 1952 with a major in Mathematics and Physics. He was president of the Alpha Phi Delta
Alpha Phi Delta
Alpha Phi Delta , commonly referred to as APD, is a Greek social fraternity that evolved from an exclusive Italian society at Syracuse University in 1914. There were seven founding members who strove to create a brotherhood that would last long after their college days...
fraternity. In 1953 he received a Masters in Meteorology from The University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
logging 54 academic credits in a calendar year.
Career
DeNardo started his career with the United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, providing weather reports to authorities. DeNardo served four years in the Air Force, achieving the rank of Commander of the weather detachment at the Greater Pittsburgh Air Force Base. He was honorably discharged in 1956.
In 1957 he opened DeNardo and McFarland Weather Services with his friend David G. McFarland, whom he met in the Air Force. "DeNardo and McFarland", located at the Allegheny County Airport, would sell weather forecasts to the Pittsburgh corporate aviation community (17 clients including Westinghouse, Rust Eng. and ALCOA), private aviation services, gas and electric utilities, construction and local radio stations. Many of the US Weather Services (NWS)personnel located at the airport would work part time for DeNardo & McFarland, one flight down.
KDKA-Channel 2 hired DeNardo in the late 1950s to brief its on-air weather personalities before every newscast. Eventually, Channel 2 managers asked him to do a few forecasts for the TV station's sibling radio station, KDKA-1020 AM.KDKA
KDKA (AM)
KDKA is a radio station licensed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Created by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation on November 2, 1920, it is one of the world's first modern radio stations , a distinction that has also been challenged by other stations, although it has claimed to be the first in...
Radio started DeNardo broadcast career in 1957. DeNardo and KDKA reached an agreement where he would broadcast his weather reports on television. KDKA became one of the first stations in the country with a "real meteorologist" as a part of the programming and Joe began his regional fame and celebrity status. After a new manager took over, DeNardo and KDKA had a falling out, landing DeNardo at WTAE-TV
WTAE-TV
WTAE-TV is the ABC affiliated television station for Western Pennsylvania that is licensed to Pittsburgh, broadcasting on UHF channel 51 and identifying via PSIP as channel 4 . It also serves as an ABC affiliate for the Wheeling/Steubenville and Clarksburg/Weston, West Virginia market areas...
in 1969. He and news anchor Paul Long moved from KDKA to WTAE, continuing their often sardonic banter when Long would introduce DeNardo for the weather segment of the news.
DeNardo retired from WTAE-TV on January 1, 2005. He remained a presence on the station for fund-raising efforts, and continued to deliver his annual "Winter Weather Forecast" on WTAE-TV until 2009. Pittsburghers immediately think of him when they hear the slogan "Joe said it would."
Until 2009 DeNardo offered his winter weather forecast through ESB Bank, providing white boards with his winter weather forecast to bankers. They can be picked up in any ESB Bank branch.
Community Work
DeNardo is known for his relentless charitable work for the community. Keeping the spirit of youth in mind, DeNardo would make school visits every Wednesday "with the exception of holidays." He would fly into the school via helicopter and present an assembly for the kids. Traditionally, in return, DeNardo would receive a cake from the faculty of the schools. "We figured it out, and I think it was in excess of 650 schools I've visited in our viewing area," he said. "I've talked to almost half a million students," teaching them about storms, satellites and how to predict the weather.Along with school visits, DeNardo has donated endless money and hours giving back to the community through The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
and his own actions. WTAE-TV would host two charitable events each year that donated to The Salvation Army, the Project Bundle-Up Auction, and the Bundle-Up telethon. DeNardo hosted both of these events.