CBS Retirees Ramblings |
Monday, June 29, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Hi Guys, Came across this on the NY Times Obits. at: http://www.legacy.com/nytimes/DeathNotices.asp It looked familiar so checked at: http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=789047 and the name and town match up and I remember Joe's ticket expiring some time ago. I worked with Joe at Empire when I first started at CBS 42 years ago along with "Ace" and Bob Strutzel and Frank Beatty and a few others. Later he was in Video Tape while I was in VT Maint. Prior to CBS Joe was the Radio Officer on the "Savannah", the first and only U.S. Nuclear Powered US Merchant Marine Vessel. (http://www.nssavannah.net/) On a number of occasions she was in Bremerhaven Germany while I was stationed there, and the word around my Navy group was that "They Were Giving Tours of Her", but for some reason every time I was either at work or doing something which prevented me from taking one of the tours of the "Savannah". Turns out that Joe was the guy giving the tours. He told me it was because he was a big good-looking Italian guy with great personality. Needless to say Joe was one of the best on CW. Also, FYI we had two other ex WWII Merchant Marine Radio Officers at Empire at that time, W2BOG (Bill Kortlang)and W2BCU (Bill Lewis). Bill Lewis also worked at the CBS VOA Transmitter in Lincoln Park earlier. He was torpedoed twice in the North Atlantic and pulled out of the water. He said he survived by floating in the ship's fuel oil to keep warm. 73, George, W2DM
Joseph W. BORELLI (W2QPR)  Joe in 1965, courtesy of W2DM BORELLI Joseph W., 85, of Fair Lawn, NJ on Saturday, June 20, 2009. Born and raised in New York, he resided in Long Island before moving to Fair Lawn over 30 years ago. A graduate of Stuyvesant High School in NY, he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from New York City College. Mr. Borelli proudly served with the Merchant Marines during World War II. He was also a member of the Ham Radio Operators Association.Prior to retiring in 1988, he was an electrical engineer with CBS Television in New York City for twenty five years.Beloved husband of the late Marjorie (O'Donovan) Borelli and former spouse of Joyce (Zelmanis) Borelli. Loving and devoted father of Anthony and Janet Borelli and the late Christina Borelli. Dear brother of Vincent and George Borelli and the late Marie DiPietro and Frank, Anthony and John Borelli. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.The family will receive relatives and friends Saturday, June 27, 2009, 9-11 AM at Vander Plaat Colonial Home, Inc., 13-31 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn, NJ, 201-797-3500. A funeral service is planned for 11 AM at the funeral home with interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus. Flowers or donations to the Central Asia Institute, P.O. Box 7209, Bozeman, Montana 59771 would be appreciated. For additional information, please visit www.vpfairlawn .com. Tuesday, June 23, 2009
A Cherished Memento of days gone bye... The Membership card pictured below is a cherished momento of days gone by and a very elite club, limited to a very select group. As a member of Fucci's MF's we were entitled to the abuse, slings and arrows of any producer, director and production assistant. As an insider to this select group who could complain we were Master Fontologists and we all loved every minute of it. I am sitting here in my home, retired, smiling and wondering how I am able to recall so many events, both good and bad and those who we worked with and shared in the CBS Glory days. It was indeed good fortune, to work and play with the likes of a Bruno Fucci, Howie Purnick, Joe Panico, Vince Menci, and a host of others..... 
Hi: After retiring some 25 years ago my knowledge of technical info began to fade. Help me please. I live in a 4 story, 60 apartments building. in Tenafly NJ. having a common 10 year old antenna which needs replacement. Can anyone tell me which are the best and strongest roof antennas for us that are listed in Radio Shack? We used to get good reception from the NY City stations but none from NJ network's Channel 50 which is located about 90 degrees to the right. Can anything be done that include reception from Channel 50? About myself, In January 2008, I had surgery, a double by-pass and mitral heart valve replaced. It turned out very well and now I am back fighting the politicians to get rail service back for Eastern Bergen County. Albert (I outgrew the Crib) Cafiero
This ones is for Carlucci: I remember the time when IBM attempted to hook up our graphic machine to their computer. After much arguing, I told them it was okay but that Carlucci and I had to operate. They declined. But they continued to use their computer although it did not air. Charlie and I were at least three minutes faster than their top speed computer. For many years Carlucci and I fought off all these speed graphics and no one could even come close to what we were able to do. people still think that Charlie is my illigitimate son. Bruno Monday, June 22, 2009
Hi Art, Goody Freed here, just like to take this opportunity to publicly thank you for hiring me, back in '65. Now you all know who to blame. I hope you & yours are as well as can be expected & that you'll keep writing. It would be nice to get some fresh insight into the old CBS. We keep hearing from the same old, same old. No offense guys but you must agree new eyes would be welcome. Thanks again.
Only good thoughts for the Master Fontologist, Bruno Fucci. When I started at CBS in 1980, Bruno was one of the first people I worked with on remotes. The first time I walked into the graphics trailer, there was Bruno with one hand on the keyboard and the other hand on the production coordinator. He greeted me with a grunt, a couple of expletives and for the next 9 years we worked together having good times both in and out of the graphics truck. Whenever a new font machine came out, it was Bruno who sat and figured out how to make it work on golf. After many hours and a couple of blown-up machines, he made it work. He mastered the art of professionalism and also the art of taking a nap on the floor of many house trailers we used. There are many things missing in today's world of sports television and one of them is a character named Bruno Fucci. Feel good Pops, Charlie Carlucci (the other member of the "FUCCI BROTHERS" fontology experts) Friday, June 19, 2009
To all my old CBS buddies: Yesterday I was thrilled when the US Mail brought a mysterious anonymous missal which certainly had been sent by some one old CBS tech ops buddy, and one who had passed TV101 even if he couldn't spell the vertical interval correctly. PLEASE someone help with identification, so we can carry on reminiscing about the good ol' days at CBS. Also, now lets add my e-mail address to your files: SchoenfussArtKay@aol.com. Regards and fond memories to all, Art Schoenfuss Wednesday, June 17, 2009
To my many friends who are responding with good wishes for me with my battle with bladder cancer: It does my heart so much good to hear from people that I worked and practically lived with for the 35 years that I was at CBS. Many thanks for keeping me in your hearts. I'll fight until I can't withstand the discomfort and pain and then I will join our other brothers who have since departed. In the meantime my best wishes and good luck to all of you who are pulling for me.
Bruno Fucci: I wonder if you remember a couple of incidents. We were covering an NFL game in Cincinnati. You and I went to to dinner at a buffet restaurant in town. I think the name was The New Orleans Restaurant. I don't think you uttered one word. We sat and ate for about three hours when they asked us to leave. Another was at the Kansas city National Convention you borrowed my rental car. The next morning I found a note... Car parked 3rd from the left. This was a 4 floor parking garage at our hotel. My passengers and I were a little late getting to work. We are all pulling for you, Bruno. Harold Schutzman Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Bruno Fucci is a true and dear friend, who could type faster with two fingers than any human being on the planet. The giant smile and laugh of an old Italian who knew where the body was buried and would only share that info with friends. The CBS Family was a monumental part of all of our lives, the mortgage depended on the overtime and the hours spent away from home were sometimes happier than being at home. I am sure we all felt guilty about depriving our family of our time, but we all rationalized it all with our needs for financial security. We all lived through divorces, health problems and conflicts of the mind, but I will always remember having Bruno to talk to and confide in and the problems always seemed less important after we walked away. I am grateful to have worked with him for so many wonderful years. Only one thing I can for sure tell you is Never play Tonk with him, he will take away your paycheck...... I also remember the meals we had together on the road and the joy in his face when he was with his buddies, so, Mr. Fucci, you fight the good fight and know you have made a very big mark on the lives of so very many people. With much respect love and affection... Your old pal, Lee Levy |
