Bob Cirillo

His Story

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The following is written by Gerry Wilkinson...At 11:30 am on Wednesday morning, January 7, 1998, the phone at my home rang when I was writing the Andy Civitella piece. A voice said, "Hello, Gerry. This is Bob Cirillo." The WRTI- FM Station Manager of the 1965-66 school year was found. Bob does not have any access to the Internet. However, he may try to access it at Channel 12 through either Ed Cunningham's computer in Philadelphia or in the Wilmington studios, through the computer of Harold Parsons. Harold was Assistant General Manager at WHYY when I worked there and He was my boss. Harold and Bob Cirillo both started at WHYY in 1967 and they have remained friends for 30 years. Small world, huh!

Bob is well and living in New Jersey. He is doing TV freelance exclusively. Bob mentioned that people don't believe him when he tells them that he was Station Manager of WRTI-FM. Well, we know. He was. Believe him.

Cirillo has worked at several of the TV stations for the last thirty years. He recalled how Channel 12 did a 13 camera production of the Philadelphia Pops Orchestra in July of 1976. Something, he believes, would never be done today. And he's probably right. Over the years, he has been involved with TV productions of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Opera Company. He said that no one will believe him when he tells them that he was FM Station Manager of WRTI.

We talked for about 50 minutes, but Bob had to leave to go to one of his freelance gigs. He said that cutbacks at Channel 17, have cost him his part-time freelance work there and expressed concern that this may take place elsewhere in the industry. We talked about old times and old friends. He said that anyone wishing to call him, may do so at his home, (609) 866-2067.

By the way, in our effort to save Thomas Hall from being demolished in the Spring of 1998, Bob was instrumental in our efforts. He along with Jerry Klein, Gerry Wilkinson, Fran Odyniec, Bob Backman and Ed Cunningham addressed the Historical Commission of Philadelphia. Video of Bob, Gerry and Fran were carried on WPVI, Channel 6's newscasts.

This is the WRTI Old Gang Web Site