Joe DeNardo
Joseph William DeNardo was an American meteorologist who worked at WTAE in Pittsburgh. He gained widespread recognition through his 1994 advertising campaign, “Joe Said It Would.” DeNardo lived in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, with his wife of nearly 60 years. After retiring in 2005, following a 45-year on-air career, he remained a popular figure among many Pittsburgh residents.
Early life and education
DeNardo was born and raised in Martins Ferry, Ohio. He attended Wheeling Central Catholic High School in Wheeling, West Virginia. While at Wheeling Central, he maintained a 4.0 GPA and earned a place on the All-State basketball team in both his junior and senior years. His nickname on the team was “The Flash,” a reference to his speed on the court.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 Master's in Meteorology from the University of Chicago.
Outside of his professional career, he was an avid model railroad hobbyist.
Career
DeNardo began his career in the United States Air Force, where he served for four years, and he eventually commanded the weather detachment at Greater Pittsburgh Air Force Base. He was honorably discharged in 1956.In 1957, he and his friend David G. McFarland, whom he met in the Air Force, opened DeNardo and McFarland Weather Services, located at the Allegheny County Airport. They sold weather forecasts to the Pittsburgh corporate aviation community, private aviation services, gas and electric utilities, construction companies, and local radio stations. The company also had a contract with Allegheny County, Pennsylvania to consult on air quality issues. Many of the National Weather Service personnel located at the airport worked part-time for DeNardo & McFarland.
After a new manager took over, DeNardo left KDKA, citing the unpleasant atmosphere. DeNardo then joined WTAE in 1969, bringing his news anchor partner Paul Long with him, continuing their banter when Long would introduce DeNardo for the weather segment of the news. DeNardo's popularity at WTAE was the focus of an advertising campaign.
DeNardo retired from WTAE-TV on January 1, 2005. He remained a presence on the station for fundraising efforts and continued to deliver his annual "Winter Weather Forecast" on WTAE-TV until 2009.
During the 2014 North American cold wave, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review interviewed DeNardo about his life and his opinion on the state of weather reporting nearly a decade after his retirement.