Pete Forgione  Biography
 WABR    WHOO    WLOF   WFIV    WFTV-TV    WREM

Pete Forgione, is a New Jersey native. Pete's Florida radio career began at WABR-AM 1440 under the name of Pete Lazar. In 1962 Pete moved to WHOO-AM 990, at the time, playing "Top 40",  as the original Peter Jay. In 1962 Pete expanded his career when he joined WDBO-TV Channel 6 (now WKMG) in Orlando as a booth announcer. While at WDBO-TV Pete went on to become "Mister Music" on "Romper Room with Miss Nancy" (Nancy Stillwell was also the first female TV reporter in Central Florida).  Pete also did the weather on the 11 p.m. newscast.  Later he moved to WFTV-TV Channel 9 and hosted the afternoon "Money Movie". Later Pete hosted the morning "Dialing for Dollars" movie (where you could win cash while watching a movie). Pete also was on hand to broadcast the opening day of Walt Disney World as well as the opening of EPCOT. Pete also was the co-anchor of "Sunrise Jubilee"  with another Orlando TV pioneer, Bill Berry.  While Pete was on active duty with the Air Force, in Orlando, he worked at both WHOO-AM 990 and WLOF-AM 950 as the original Peter Jay before moving over to TV.  Pete retired in 2006 after 14 years at KWXY-FM 98.5 in Palm Springs California. 

In the spring of 2007 Pete moved back to Pennsylvania where he is enjoying his "retirement" - although he is still doing  occasional voice-over work,  most of his time is spent taking it easy and spending time with his son and grandchildren.

      Here's Pete in a spot for the "Dialing For Dollars Movie" on WFTV Channel 9 TV  
            courtesy of Dick Camnitz

Pete Forgione     Nov. 18, 1935-Jan. 2, 2024
Peter (Pete) Joseph Forgione, Sr., age 88 of Harrisburg, PA passed away on January 2, 2024. He was born in Irvington, NJ on November 18, 1935 to Maria Carmela Di Tolve and Giuseppe (Joseph) Forgione. His parents were Italian immigrants who came to America from Irsina, Italy along with his brother Pasquale (Patsy) Forgione. Pete had 5 children Debra (Debbie), Peter John (Johnny), Laura (Lori), Peter (Petey) Joseph, Jr. and Anthony Forgione along with LOTS of grandchildren and great grandchildren whom he adored. He has a nephew Joseph and niece Patricia from his late brother Pasquale Forgione. As a young teen Pete played the accordion and 2 songs come to mind, "Peg O' My Heart" and "Roll Out The Barrel".  He had an ear for music and played beautifully. Pete was in the Air Force at the end of the Korean war and beginning of the Vietnam war. Once he came back he began his radio / TV career. When Pete started in television, he played Mister Music on "Romper Room" with Miss Nancy.  Newspapaper.com has numerous ad's featuring Pete doing what he did best, use his voice and face in commercials and print advertising. His biggest gig was working in Orlando at WFTV Channel 9 an ABC local affiliate.  He co-hosted a morning news show called "Sunrise".  He then became the afternoon host of a movie show called "Money Movie".  Shortly after came “Dialing for Dollars” where he not only hosted the movie of the morning but he also interviewed TV personalities after commercial breaks. Pete worked in Orlando as the host of the Easter Seals Telethon and the Orlando Christmas Parade to name a few. He did commercials on TV for Eric Adams Furniture Warehouse and Pizza Hut along with many others. His voice was heard all over America as he was literally named “Voice of America” through Unistar in Los Angeles, CA. He was also was a teacher for Columbia School of Broadcasting and a proud member of the Son’s of Italy Club. He left WFTV to pursue a career in LA where he co-hosted "Good Morning LA" with Meredith MacRae, actress and TV personality. He later moved to Palm Springs, CA where he worked at KJOI and an oldies radio station KWXY where a few of his interviews were with the late Tony Bennett ,  great legendary singer and Loretta Swit from the TV show MASH. Pete was a devout Catholic and loved his religion. He’s at peace now and can finally hear all of the love he deserves. He was a great on air personality like no other of his time. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved and worked with him. Pete’s final resting place will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, PA.

Pete's radio career began at WTTM, Trenton, NJ and was known as Tom Trent. Pete's Florida radio career began at WABR-AM 1440 under the name of Pete Lazar. Central Florida stations included WHOO-AM 990, WLOF-AM 950 where Pete was the first “Peter Jay”, WKIS-AM 740,  and WFIV-AM 1080  where he was named the "Italian Stallion". 

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