For multiple generations of sports fans, Tony Ventrella served up sports news with a smile, becoming a fixture in households across the Pacific Northwest.
On Saturday, the Seattle sports world lost a legend when Ventrell passed away at the age of 80 with his family by his side.
Throughout a career that included long stints at KING 5 and KIRO 7, as well as time with FOX 13, then later with the Seahawks as a digital media host, Ventrell brought passion, joy and humility to the job, and more importantly, to his everyday life.
"Tony was a Seattle sports icon," said Seahawks chief communications officer Dave Pearson. "In a career that spanned more than four decades, Tony brought professionalism, knowledge and joy to sports fans, including long runs at KING 5, KIRO 7 and FOX 13. We were fortunate to have Tony as part of our pre and postgame broadcast, as well as a digital media host for Seahawks.com. Tony was a positive person who made everyone whose life he touched better."
Ventrella's career in sports began in the 1960s with a part-time job at Wilton Bulletin in Connecticut, a job he started while running the barber shop he opened in Norwalk after serving in the U.S. Army. From there, Ventrella moved on to radio before beginning a long and successful television career, starting with a job in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Ventrella made his way to Seattle in 1982, working for KING-5 and beginning a decades-long run that saw him become a beloved figure in the region, both on the screen and in the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Tony Ventrella was fixture in the City of Seattle and sports community for more than 40 years. Take a look at some of the best photos of Tony Ventrella throughout the years.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS - Rookie linebacker Aaron Curry is interviewed after his first game.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS VS. DENVER BRONCOS - PRESEASON GAME #2 -
Seahawks punter Jon Ryan cut his hair after practice today for Locks of Love. Ryan grew his hair out for 25 months, reaching 11.5 inches in length. The mission of the charity is to return sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need. For more information visit www.locksoflove.com
Seahawks punter Jon Ryan cut his hair after practice today for Locks of Love. Ryan grew his hair out for 25 months, reaching 11.5 inches in length. The mission of the charity is to return sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need. For more information visit www.locksoflove.com
Seahawks punter Jon Ryan cut his hair after practice today for Locks of Love. Ryan grew his hair out for 25 months, reaching 11.5 inches in length. The mission of the charity is to return sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need. For more information visit www.locksoflove.com
