Patitucci honored
April 14, 2016
Longtime radio host Sal Patitucci received the 2016 Joseph Natoli Community Service Award from the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. The award was presented at the organization’s 30th Scholarship and Awards Banquet this past weekend in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Patitucci immigrated to the US in 1960 where he and his wife, Elena, settled in Pittsburgh and he took a job as a draftsman. In 1966, he took his abilities to the US Army Crops of Engineers where he enjoyed a 31-year career. He has hosted an Italian radio program for over 50 years starting in 1964 at WKPA (1150 New Kensington). His program quickly became a hit with the large Italian-American population in the region. In the 70s his program expanded to WPGH-TV (53), WDUQ-FM (90.5), WEDO (810 McKeesport), WHJB (620 Greensburg), WMBA (1460 Ambridge) and WYEP (91.3). When WKPA was donated in 1992, Patitucci moved his program to WEDO full time where it remains today – Monday-Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
Sal worked for me while I was GM at WKPA. This is an accolade very well deserved. Congrats Sal!
I learned about Italian pop music from his show, and Italo disco, probably on WKPA. His music’s always different than others are playing, and an advancement over the Italian-American oldies my grandparents listened to, such as Volare and many other songs like that.. Thanks Sal, from a Matteucci.
Boomer
A well deserved award for a genuinely nice guy. I had the privilege of directing Sa’s show, Italia Oggi, at WPGH TV back in the mid ’70s. He was always well prepared and very easy to get along with. Congrats. Sal.