MARION SYLVESTER "BUD" Del VECCHIO

Del VECCHIO
MARION SYLVESTER "BUD"
89, of Rayland, OH, Pittsburgh, PA, and Nokomis, FL, passed away Monday, November 11, 2013, at Manor Care Rehab, Venice, FL. He was born December 31, 1923, the son of the late Benjamin and Carmella Varanese Del Vecchio. Known on-air as Del Taylor, he was a local personality in Pittsburgh and the tri-state area in the early days of radio and television, and also hosted "Fontana's Polka Kings" on WTRF-TV channel 7 in Wheeling, WV, and "record hops" in the 50s. He started with WLWO in Dayton, OH, WHLL in Wheeling, WV, and went to WTAE-TV channel 4 when they signed on in 1958 in Pittsburgh. He was a booth announcer in the days when station breaks were still live, did the weekend weather on the 11:00 p.m. news, and hosted "Bandstand", a Saturday afternoon teen dance show, in the 60s, "Community Outreach", a 1970's era public affairs shows, and the very popular " Dialing For Dollars", and afternoon movie, that started in 1965. He was with WTAE until 1980. He received his B.A. degree in journalism at Kent State University, also attended Mexico City College, Ohio State University, West Liberty College, and Boston University, where he was awarded his Master's in public relations and mass communications. He was a member of the Board of AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and belonged to the Alpha Epsilon Rho, a national radio fraternity. During World War II, he served with the Army Combat Engineers in the ETO (England and Germany) and the Pacific. He was an avid gardener, proud of his Italian Heritage, enjoyed music, hunting Early American antiques, and hanging Tiffany lamps, and playing his electric chord organ. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joan; five brothers, Anthony, Dr. J.J., Benjamin, Settemio, and William; six sisters, Mary Burns, Ann, Grace Dolfi, Tomasine Serafini, and infants, Tomasine and Carmela Jean; niece, Margo; and nephews, Ronnie and Doug. Surviving are a daughter, Tracey of Las Vegas, NV; sons, Todd of Nokomis, FL and Jeffrey of Bend, OR; grandchildren, Stevie Leeds and Timothy Leeds; and many nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews. Friends will be received for a Memorial Service Thursday from 12-2 p.m. at the BORKOSKI FUNERAL HOME, Tiltonsville, OH, with Msgr. George Mullett, officiating. Burial in Upland Cemetery, Yorkville, OH. Full military honors will be conducted by the Belmont County Council of the V.F.W. at 1:45 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
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