Longtime KCOH Owner Dies
Obituary
January 12, 2012
Michael Patrick Petrizzo passed away peacefully at his home in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 13, 2012 at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris, Bellaire, TX 77401.
Mr. Petrizzo was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 26, 1922, the sixth of seven children of Michael and Erminia Petrizzo (born DeStefano). As a Brooklyn native, Mr. Petrizzo's first visit to Houston was in 1944 during his assignment at Ellington Field while serving as a U.S. Air Force Second Lieutenant during World War II.
During his military service, he was trained to pilot the B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 Liberator, and became a Navigator on the B-29 Super Fortress. The day before carrying out orders to bomb Japan, Japan surrendered. Mr. Petrizzo continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve after active duty and retired as a Major.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Brooklyn College in New York, he accepted an opportunity as an accountant with Lykes Shipping Company in New York. In 1956, he was transferred to the Lykes office in Houston.
He later accepted a position as an accountant with KCOH Radio Station. He was elected General Manager of KCOH in 1976. In February 1976, he and four partners purchased KCOH. Under Mr. Petrizzo's leadership and guidance, KCOH expanded from being a daytime only station to a twenty-four/seven broadcast station with 5000 watts of power each day.
Mr. Petrizzo is survived by his wife Armida (born Bellarosa) of 62 years of marriage, and four children - Michael Joseph Petrizzo and wife Lana of Houston, Texas, Joan Ann Cramer and husband Mike of Houston, Texas, Jerry Petrizzo of Houston, Texas, and Tom Petrizzo and wife Teri of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Mr. Petrizzo has one grand-daughter Alexandra Cramer also of Houston, Texas.
Mr. Petrizzo was an active member of the Federation of Italian-American Organizations of Greater Houston.
The family would like to express its gratitude to the caregivers of Christus Hospice and Visiting Angels.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Christus Hospice or Visiting Angels.
Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 13, 2012 at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris, Bellaire, TX 77401.
Obituary
January 12, 2012
Michael Patrick Petrizzo
September 26, 1922 - January 11, 2012
Michael Patrick Petrizzo passed away peacefully at his home in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 13, 2012 at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris, Bellaire, TX 77401.
Mr. Petrizzo was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 26, 1922, the sixth of seven children of Michael and Erminia Petrizzo (born DeStefano). As a Brooklyn native, Mr. Petrizzo's first visit to Houston was in 1944 during his assignment at Ellington Field while serving as a U.S. Air Force Second Lieutenant during World War II.
During his military service, he was trained to pilot the B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 Liberator, and became a Navigator on the B-29 Super Fortress. The day before carrying out orders to bomb Japan, Japan surrendered. Mr. Petrizzo continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve after active duty and retired as a Major.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Brooklyn College in New York, he accepted an opportunity as an accountant with Lykes Shipping Company in New York. In 1956, he was transferred to the Lykes office in Houston.
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| KCOH executives pose with one of their star DJs. From left, program director Paris Eley, disc jockey Gladys 'Gee Gee' Hill, general manager Mike Petrizzo and operations manager Travis Gardner. (Houston Chronicle) |
Mr. Petrizzo is survived by his wife Armida (born Bellarosa) of 62 years of marriage, and four children - Michael Joseph Petrizzo and wife Lana of Houston, Texas, Joan Ann Cramer and husband Mike of Houston, Texas, Jerry Petrizzo of Houston, Texas, and Tom Petrizzo and wife Teri of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Mr. Petrizzo has one grand-daughter Alexandra Cramer also of Houston, Texas.
Mr. Petrizzo was an active member of the Federation of Italian-American Organizations of Greater Houston.
The family would like to express its gratitude to the caregivers of Christus Hospice and Visiting Angels.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Christus Hospice or Visiting Angels.
Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 13, 2012 at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris, Bellaire, TX 77401.
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