John Cigna
| John Cigna | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Carmine John Cigna December 11, 1935 Brooklyn, New York |
| Died |
May 20, 2011 (aged 75) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Radio host, DJ, Media Personality |
Carmine John Cigna (December 11, 1935 – May 20, 2011) was an American radio personality. He spent 28 years at KDKA-AM in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, starting in 1973 until his retirement in 2001.[1]
Biography
Early years and career
Cigna was born in 1935 in Brooklyn, New York.[1] He attended the Cambridge School of Broadcasting and Brooklyn College and worked at radio stations in West Virginia, Ohio and Indiana[2] before moving to Pittsburgh in 1969 to take up a position at WJAS as the sports anchor and morning news director.[2][1]
KDKA career
Cigna moved to KDKA-AM in Pittsburgh on March 11, 1973, when he hosted a talk show from 9:00 PM to midnight until 1983, where he moved to the morning slot after previous morning host Jack Bogut moved to WTAE-AM.[2] The show, dubbed "John Cigna and the K-Team" consisted of Dave James, Fred Honsberger and sportscaster Nellie King. Cigna was paired with Honsberger in 1996 to do the morning show, now dubbed The Morning News with John Cigna, but Honsberger was moved back to his afternoon slot 6 months later.[2] On his 25th anniversary at KDKA on March 11, 1998, Cigna received a congratulatory letter from president Bill Clinton, citations from the state and county government, and the proclamation of "John Cigna Day" in Pittsburgh. Upon his retirement in September 2001, Cigna's on air absences had been getting more frequent. One anonymous listener had stated of Cigna, "It sounds like he's phoning it in." [2] He was succeeded by Larry Richert as host of the morning show.
Personal life and death
Cigna was married to Patricia, and had four sons, Tony, John, Mike, and Chris.[2] Cigna was also an avid motorcyclist, often taking motorcycle trips on his Harley Davidson during his retirement.[1] He had been injured in a motorcycle accident in March 1999.[1]
Cigna died on May 20, 2011, in the Pittsburgh suburb of McCandless, Pennsylvania. He had experienced failing health and had recently experienced suffered a stroke and effects of emphysema.[3][1] His wife, Pat, of 53 years had predeceased him by four months, dying in January.[1] Upon his death, Michael Young, senior vice president and Pittsburgh market manager for CBS Radio, stated "Pittsburgh lost an icon. He was just full of life."[1] Cigna had requested that his motorcycle be displayed next to his casket during his funeral.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Ward, Paula Reed (May 21, 2011). "Obituary: John Cigna / Beloved longtime morning drive host on KDKA-AM". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 McCoy, Adrian (September 6, 2001). "Making radio waves: John Cigna went from caustic to cuddly during his run on KDKA". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
- ↑ Hasch, Michael (May 21, 2011). "KDKA radio's Cigna dies at 75". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved May 22, 2011.