John Francis Tenaglia

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John F. Tenaglia, a broadcasting pioneer and beloved family man. Born on January 17, 1935, in Pittsburgh, PA, the proud son of Gina and Filano Tenaglia, John's journey through life was marked by achievements, adventures, and a profound commitment to the world of media.

John's professional career began in Pittsburgh with a one-hour weekly broadcast of the Italian Hour. He transitioned to advertising sales, becoming General Sales Manager at ABC owned KQV radio station.  Moving to Philadelphia, PA, he served as the Vice President of the Broadcast Division of General Cinema, contributing significantly to the growth and success of the company that owned and operated radio and TV stations throughout the country. At General Cinema, he was instrumental in Citizens Committee to Save WEFM v. Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that gave radio stations parody under the First Amendment to change formats.

His passion for broadcasting led him to Fort Lauderdale, FL, where he formed TK Communications and acquired WSHE FM and WSRF AM radio stations. Under his leadership, the station thrived, capturing the hearts of listeners in South Florida and beyond with its famous She’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll tag line. 

Expanding his footprint in the industry, John and his partners extended their influence to stations in Orlando, Dallas, and San Antonio, TX, owning and managing radio stations that resonated with diverse audiences. His visionary approach and dedication to quality broadcasting left an indelible mark on the communities he served and gave numerous on-air personalities, sales professionals and management their start, including Howard Cosell, Rush Limbaugh and Paul Castronovo, to name a few. 

Beyond his professional endeavors, John was a devoted family man. He was the loving husband of Sharon, sharing 25 years filled with a love of golf, skiing and entertaining, love, laughter, and unwavering support. As a father, John was a source of inspiration to his daughters and son-in-laws, Christine (Jeffrey) Bishop and Lisa (David) Burgess, guiding them with wisdom and encouragement.

In addition to his immediate family, John embraced his role as a step-father to Sharon’s daughter, Marie Grecco, extending his love and care to another cherished member of his family circle. His legacy lives on through his granddaughters, Katie and Kelly Bishop, who were the joy of his later years.

In addition to family mentioned above, John is survived by his first wife, Judy Droder, his sister Christine DiMartino, niece Jean (Dwight) Heinzelman, nephew Paul DiMartino, and great-nephews Philip and Nick DiMartino and Joseph Heinzelman.

Few things brought him more joy than sharing good food with family and friends. His favorite restaurants included Burt & Jacks, Runway 84, Jackson’s Steakhouse, and Casa D’Angelo, and everyone knew when John was in the house. He was a demanding patron, but generously rewarded excellence in preparation and service. 

John’s driven and demanding persona and his enormous and generous heart left an impact on the broadcasting industry and the lives of those around him. His passion for excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and larger than life character that were the genesis of so many legendary stories will continue to inspire generations to come.

A celebration of John's life will be held on Thursday, January 11th at Fred Hunters Ft. Lauderdale from 3:00 - 7:00 pm and a funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Friday, January 12th at 11:00 am, where friends and family will gather to share memories, support one another, and honor the remarkable life of a man who left an indelible mark on the world of broadcasting and the hearts of those who knew him. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John’s memory to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation supporting the families of fallen first-responders and Gold Star families. You can make your donation by clicking on the following link Tunnel to Towers Foundation Donation Link