Joe DeNardo

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Joe DeNardo
Born	Joseph William DeNardo November 27, 1930 (1930-11-27) (age 77) Martins Ferry, Ohio

Joseph William DeNardo (born November 27, 1930) is an Emmy-winning Pittsburgh meteorologist. He is known best for his uncanny ability to predict the weather right almost all of the time, making his 1994 Campaign "Joe Said It Would" the first "Said It Would" slogan in the nation. DeNardo currently resides in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.

1 Biography

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Joe DeNardo was born and raised in Martins Ferry, Ohio and attended Wheeling Central Catholic High School in Wheeling, West Virginia. While at Wheeling Central, DeNardo averaged a 4.0 GPA throughout his high school career, and was also 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 attended the Duquesne University and majored in Mathematics and Physics. He was also a member of the Alpha Phi Delta fraternity. He later went to The University of Chicago to get his Masters in Meteorology.

[edit] Career

DeNardo started his career with the United States Air Force, giving weather reports to authorities. He later opened up his own meteorological business with a partner, where they would sell their weather predictions to local radio stations. KDKA Radio noticed DeNardo's talent, and recommended his talents to KDKA-TV. There, DeNardo and KDKA reached an agreement where he would broadcast his weather reports on television. After a new manager took over, DeNardo and KDKA had a falling out, landing DeNardo at WTAE-TV. 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 announced his retirement from WTAE-TV on January 1st, 2005. He remained a presence on the station for fund-raising efforts, and continued to deliver his annual "Winter Weather Forecast" on WTAE-TV through the 2007 calendar year.

[edit] Community Work

DeNardo, aside from meteorology, is known for his relentless charitable work for the community. Keeping the spirit of youth in mind, DeNardo would make elementary school visits every Wednesday, where 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.

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.