Obituary for Porky Chedwick (Guest book)

Message from Richie

October 5, 2017 3:27 AM

Wow...I've been away for too long...good God, the REAL Bossman has passed into rock heaven...we "cats" from Washington glued our ears our mono and car radios to WAMO...the man was our world, our Daddio of the Radio. This man did much to mold this man's life...likely I'll be catching you soon still rockin heaven...
Daddio

Message from Donna Segreti Reilly

March 16, 2014 9:13 PM

In memory of Porky Chedwick, the Allen Freed of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. You brought what was later termed "race music" to the hearts, souls, and dancing feet of so many of us growing up in the '50's and '60's. People forget that at that time, Black artists couldn't even appear on the cover of their albums. At best, the cover was of two white kids dancing by a juke box. Porky Chedwick helped to change all of that and bring Black R & B artists into the mainstream. This was not easy, but Porky's persistence and simple LOVE of the "sounds" had us teenagers listening and dancing to the tunes.

We of that era all love you, Porky. You were an essential part of our growing up and helping all of America listen to and ACCEPT great rhythm and blues. Thanks, Porky, and rest in peace.

Donna Segreti Reilly
Winthrop, MA (formerly of Carrick, S. Hills, Pittsburgh)

Message from Roger Zanes

March 9, 2014 7:49 PM

Heartfelt condolences to Porky's family. I grew up in Pittsburgh in the 1960s and 1970s listening to that cool DJ who called himself the Daddy-O of the Radi-O and who spun fantastic records that engendered my life long love of street corner Doo-Wop and early (and often obscure) R&B from the 40s and 50s. I left Pittsburgh for good in 1978, but caught his show on occasional trips back or when driving through the area. Those of us who had the privilege of knowing of Porky and enjoying his shows are eternally indebted to this great American. Thanks, Porky!

Message from Vinnie DeLuca

March 9, 2014 1:07 PM

Pittsburghs finest. Always a professional,a gentleman, a friend, and always the Boss. My sympathies to Jean and the family. I will miss you Porky. More jams than Smuckers! Rest easy my friend.

Message from Huck ONeill

March 8, 2014 6:10 PM

Thanks Bossman for all the music and laughs for these many,many years.
I will miss you.

Message from Janet Verscharen

March 7, 2014 4:20 PM

To the Entire Chedwick Family:
Thanks for sharing The Bossman with all his fans for all those many years. He not only brought music to our ears but to our hearts and souls. There never was nor will there ever be another like Pork the Tork. Rest in Peace, Daddyo.

Message from Frank Czuri

March 7, 2014 10:03 AM

Thank you, Porky. Your influence was far, deep, and wide just like your heart. R.I.P.

Message from Bill Cain

March 7, 2014 9:51 AM

Goodbye, old friend. You will be loved, forever, by all who knew you. We're thankful that we were able to know you and share the music you freed from prejudice. I pray there is a Heaven; it deserves you.

Message from Anthony Sciacca

March 7, 2014 8:43 AM

My sincere condolences.
In the Beginning, indeed before the Beginning, there was Porky. Thanks from a kid who grew up listening up in the Mon Valley and all the great memories.
Anthony Sciaca

Message from Dave & Debbie Belin

March 7, 2014 5:01 AM

Porky,

I grew up listening to you on the radio and I can't believe the time as flown by so quickly. You made Pittsburgh a much better place and I am thankful I was around to grow up to the dusty discs you played. You were not only the Daddio of the Raddio, you were the Radio. Heaven has gained one incredible person. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jean and the Chedwick family.

Dave & Debbie Belin

Message from Dane Pastorius (Palmer)

March 6, 2014 8:31 PM

My Sincere Condolences
Porky had lived with my Mother,Sister and myself back in the 80's. He always had a smile on his face. I will never forget all of the good times at all the sports events I will always cherish the great memories we all had together. YOU WILL BE SADLY MISSED. Luv U !

Message from JOhn F. Richnavsky Moods IMage

March 6, 2014 4:39 PM

I have known Porky since the late 70's and did a beautiful photograph of him with his favorite car, the Corvette, he was such a gentleman, and so easy going, it made you feel good about yourself just because you knew him.
Since then I have photographed him at the Do Wop Concerts and it was always a pleasure to see his smiling face. We are all going to miss you but I know you are spinning the 45's in Rock and Roll Heaven.

Message from Ron and Maureen Polacek

March 6, 2014 2:39 PM

To the Chedwick family, Please except our deepest sympathy on the loss of a GREAT radio dis jockey. The high light for my husband is when Porky picked his 41 studabaker in a car show at the the stadium at Porky's 50th anniversary. My husband was so honored for this award from Porky May he rest in peace and play all the oldies in heaven.

Message from Bill & Betty Dilla

March 6, 2014 12:37 PM

Love to the Chedwick family. We always listened to Pork the Tork on the radio. Truly the daddyo of the radio. Gob bless.

Message from Glenn and Karen Schott

March 6, 2014 11:48 AM

Porkified. Yes, Porkified. What does it mean? It goes beyond being a “cool one,” and spending decades listening to and following the Pied Piper of Pittsburgh. It’s about knowing, understanding, and admiring the man. The man, who decade after decade, genuinely and consistently displayed his kind and caring way, whether it was to help struggling artists who were turned away by the “mainstream” or having a life-long positive impact on tens of thousands of teenagers. Porkified is forever. We love you, Porky Chedwick. May God bless you and keep you.

Message from Darrell Hess

March 6, 2014 10:33 AM

May Porky rest in peace. Most people remember Porky as the daddio of the Radio and his music career. I remember him as a sportsman who called the Munhall High School football games as a play by play announcer at the Friday Night games a West Field Munhall in the fifties ( I followed him when he left ) He also was a sponsor of many youth baseball, football and basketball teams ( The Porky Chedwicks) playing the Steel Valley area and at the Homestead Carnegie Library. Darrell Hess Venice Florida

Message from Seamus Maloney

March 5, 2014 6:34 PM

Porky was one of the kindest, most humble men I have ever met. If Porky had never pushed a platter or been the uncontested Daddio of the Raddio, God still would have a special place in heaven for him and his lovely wife just because of their goodness. My sadness at the loss reminds me of the lyrics to Don McLean's American Pie:"...the day the music died...". Pittsburgh and the entire music world lost a treasure the day Porky Chedwick died. Thanks Porky for making my life so much more complete and God Bless!

Message from Dave Yoho

March 5, 2014 10:21 AM

May peace & strength guide you during this time Jean. My sincere condolences to you.

Message from Jim Gregorakis

March 5, 2014 7:16 AM

Back in the day, Porky gave our band, "The Affections" a lot of local fame. When he interviewed us as well as others on WAMO, he made all of us all feel like we were the most important people in the world. A kind, sweet and gentle man who changed the face of music in Pittsburgh and the entire country. Porky was a true "legend" who will be sadly missed. My condolences to Jean and the family. The memories of Porky will live on!

Message from Fred S., Wilkinsburg

March 4, 2014 10:47 PM

I grew up in Wilkinsburg listening to Porky in the 50s. I now live in New York. It seems likes yesterday that I would tune in to WAMO on my WWII era radio. I'm saddened by his passing but count the time spent listening to him as some of the best time of my teenage years. I had the pleasure of talking with him several years ago. I thanked him and said, "Porky, you lit a fire." The fire still burns.
As I listen to the music, I say again,
Thank you Porky.

Message from the magic moments band

March 4, 2014 8:00 PM

what a terrible loss we give our prayers god bless you

Message from Nancy (Donaldson) Johnston

March 4, 2014 6:34 PM

Porky, You were always the best , our 'Daddio of the Radio" our "Platter Pushin Papa". Even though I moved from Pennsylvania, to Ohio and then to Colorado I still have all your albums. I love those "Dusty Discs" Thanks for all the wonderful memories at many record hops. You just keep on playing those tunes for all the angels that are surrounding you. I'm so sorry that you are no longer with us but you had a wonderful life and you sure brought joy to many kids. May God Bless you and your family. We will never forget you. Sincerely, Nancy(Donaldson) Johnston

Message from Sasha Koledin

March 4, 2014 3:58 PM

"This is my Story" and "A story untold" of a rare and exciting personality, "A million to One", with a "Heart and Soul" that reached the young ones "A thousand Miles Away" but "Daddy's Home" to stay.
Boss man Porky, Saint among the kats n queens, the good, bad and the ugly. Respected among the baddest as a preacher n a teacher.
Memory eternal to the pied piper of the rock n roll era of the jitterbugs, jumpers n stompers, the sloppers n boppers, twisters n resisters, bluesers n losers - We all miss ya DADDIO da most from coast to coast, Sail On Sasha

Message from Lou Christie-Sacco

March 4, 2014 12:12 PM

TRADITIONAL FUNERAL BASKET was sent by Lou Christie.
Thank you for the great memories you gave me...and all of Pittsburgh! Lou Christie

Message from Karen Quigley Mognet /K.Q.

March 4, 2014 7:53 AM

I have never meet a kinder and gentle man as you, thank you for all you years of making people fall in Love with You and your music,you will be so greatly missed! K.Q.

Message from nikki boyda keady

March 4, 2014 1:24 AM

Deepest sympathy for Chedwick family.

Message from Judy Garritano Butscher

March 3, 2014 11:14 PM

Porky, you will be missed by many and especially by me. I always listened to your radio station in my teen years. Even though my husband and I moved to California you were always in my memory.

Keep spinning those platters!!

Sincerely,

Judy Garritano Butscher

Message from TOM GLATH

March 3, 2014 7:45 PM

THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT TUNES AND MEMORIES REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND

Message from Dick Richards

March 3, 2014 7:30 PM

Thank you Porky for your kind friendship over the years...you will be missed.

Message from Neal Spence

March 3, 2014 7:03 PM

You helped me in my career through your advice and open heart. I will always cherish the 3 Porky Chedwick CD's you sent me. Your music and voice will remain in our hearts through the years. Thank you for being Pittsburgh and the nations one and only "Boss Man"
GOD SPEED PORKY,,GOD SPEED
Neal Spence

Message from Michael Vucish

March 3, 2014 6:35 PM

DIGNITY IN WHITE PEDESTAL ARRANGEMENT was sent by MIKE .
PORKY, THE GODFATHER OF PITTSBURGH ROCK MUSIC! GOD BLESS YOU FOR THE MEMORIES! MIKE AND VAL VALE

Message from Frank Mcclendon

March 3, 2014 6:11 PM

Their will never be another Boss man, platter pushin papa. daddio of the radio and nicer human being than "Pork the Tork " How do I know this ? When I was a young man I worked for the gentleman who brought all of these groups in. I was assigned to drive Porky to all of the events and I must say in that year or so I grew to know the person everyone called Porky as one of the coolest, hippist, and truly great people I have ever met. God bless you Porky for the person you were and the people who's lives you have touched. You are the "BOSSMAN.

Sincerely,

Franki McClendon

Message from earl balserait

March 3, 2014 5:31 PM

R.I.P. You are still the daddy-o of- the radio. WAMO-AM

Message from Maureen & Bob Behers

March 3, 2014 5:25 PM

A sad day in Pittsburgh. Porky was music to us when we wre growing up. We sponsored several dances in the 70's & 80's and had Porky play those dances. He will live on in Pittssburgh throogh his music and he we be dearly missed! Our prayers to his family.

Message from Mike & Judy Joyce

March 3, 2014 4:48 PM

Thanks for the many, many, many memories Mike & Judy Joyce

Message from Ed Wojdyla

March 3, 2014 4:41 PM

God Bless and Keep "Pork the Torque" Ed "Wojo" & Janeen Wojdyla

Message from julia mielnicki

March 3, 2014 4:10 PM

Porky ...

just want you to know ... you will be missed by a lot of people including my husband and my self. You were a big part of our youth. thank you and God bless you and enfold you in his arms for all eternity. Blessings to all of your family as well !!

Message from Paul Lacko

March 3, 2014 3:28 PM

PORKEY GAVE ALL OF US A PLACE IN MUSIC TO SET BACK AND ENJOY, A TIME WHERE DOOWOT
WAS BOSS. THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD MENORIES.

Message from Jim Rent

March 3, 2014 2:43 PM

Porky inspired in me a love for music during my teenage years that has been with me to this day. He will be remembered by many Pittsburghers as an original who played the sounds that you could hear only on his radio show or his many record hops. Thanks, Porky for all the joy you have brought to so many. You will always be in our hearts.

Message from Karen Lynch-Schirra

March 3, 2014 2:10 PM

There will always be only one Porky Chedwick, with many who have tried to follow in his footsteps. . . . . .Love you, Porky, and will forever love and appreciate what you have done for the singers, groups, we Doo-Wopers, and the community. . . . .R.I.P. and thank you!. . . . .xo

Message from Eileen from MC candles ave

December 13, 2019 4:13 PM

Grew up in the 50s and used to go to all porkys dances in Monroeville in the 60s....oh such fun times dancing w all those cute guys. Good memories of those times. Thank you porky. The youth of today have no idea what they have missed.