We Mourn Loss of Richard E. Rich

Dear Brother and Sisters,

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Brother Richard E. Rich. Richard was a Playback/ EVS Replay operator for many years in our industry. He was initiated into the IBEW during the late 1980’s. He worked at WPIX in the 1990’s before branching off into Live Sports working under IBEW’s Fox Sports and MSG agreements. 

We extend on condolences and prayers to Richard’s family during this difficult time. 
Rest in peace Brother. 

Fraternally,
Ralph Avigliano 

Business Manager

IBEW Local 1212

———Further information is provided below——–

 
Viewing:

Monday – May 23, 2022

12:30pm 

Bethel Cedar Park Cemetery 

735 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ 07652

We Remember Philip LaPelusa

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
It is with deep sadness that I inform the membership of the passing of Brother Philip LaPelusa.
While I regret the loss of any member, the loss of Phil is particularly painful. My Brother Phil
was a true friend and the definition of dedication and loyalty. We met at CBS in 1986, where we
began our years as friends and colleagues. Phil was elected to the IBEW Local 1212 Executive
Board in 2009 and served on the CBS Negotiating Committee.

Phil was an Emmy Award winner, whose almost 40-year career involved some of our most
prestigious sporting events and took him all over the world. Phil covered the NFL, 4 Super
Bowls, 27 US Tennis Opens, 3 Winter Olympics (France, Norway and Japan), 11 Daytona 500’s
and 20 NCAA Final Four tournaments.
 
Phil is survived by his wife Donna, their three children, a son and twin daughters, as well as five
grandchildren. Our love and prayers go out to the LaPelusa Family. Phil will be truly missed by all.
Rest in peace, my brother. Information on the arrangements are listed below.
 
Fraternally,
 
Ralph Avigliano
Business Manager
IBEW Local 1212

Visitation:
Thursday 3/24 4pm-8pm
Walter Johnson Funeral Home
803 Raritan Road.
Clark , NJ 07066

Funeral Service:
Friday 3/25 Meet at Walter Johnson Funeral Home 9:30am
Mass 10am at Saint Johns the Apostle
571 Valley Road
Clark, NJ 07066

Committal Service:
Saint Gertrude Cemetery
53 Inman Ave
Colonia , NJ 07067

We Remember Steve Kaufman

It is with deep sorrow that I share the passing of  longtime member, Steven Kaufman.  Steven was a member of Local 1212 for more than 28 years.  During that time, he worked as a technician for CBS, most recently for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.  We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends. 

Steven’s family shared the service information listed here.

Sunday February 27th, 2022
8:45 am

Sinai Chapels
162-05 Horace Harding Expwy
Fresh Meadows, NY 11365

Cemetery to follow
Beth david Cemetery
300 Elmont Road
Elmont, NY

Family home following until 10pm
Shiva all week from 3-8pm

Halloween 2021 at Metlife Stadium

Business Manager Ralph Avigliano greets IBEW Technicians who worked the New York Jets vs Cincinnati Bengals broadcast for CBS Sports. Halfway through the NFL Season, hope everyone enjoyed the telecast and the candy!

Camera Operator Hardy Kluender (right) with Business Manager Ralph Avigliano (left).

Broadcast Utility Todd Adams gets ready before kickoff.

Broadcast Utility Tom Ryan rocking the Top Gun attire.

Marian Pitta

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the passing of longtime member, Marian Pitta.  Ms. Pitta’s career in the broadcast industry spanned more than four decades.  Thirty of those years were spent at CBS, where she worked as an editor for such shows as 60 Minutes and Sunday Morning.  We extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends. May God Bless her, may she rest in peace.

Ralph Avigliano
Business Manager
IBEW Local 1212

IBEW Local 1212 and Local 3 Remember

IBEW Local 1212 Business Manager Ralph Avigliano attended today’s ceremony to memorialize each of the members of Local 1212 and Local 3 who perished in the attacks at the World Trade Center. International President Lonnie Stephenson and International Secretary Treasurer Ken Cooper were also in attendance along with Business Manager Chris Erikson and President Thomas Cleary of IBEW Local 3. The service was held this morning at Local 3 headquarters in Queens, NY.

We Remember

NO DAY SHALL ERASE YOU FROM THE MEMORY OF TIME – Virgil

As we remember all lives on this solemn anniversary, we give special thoughts and prayers to the Brothers of Local 1212 and Local 3 who perished twenty one years ago on September 11, 2001. They are always remembered, never forgotten.

May God bless them, their families and all those who suffer from the aftermath of the devastation.

God Bless America.

We will miss Joe Tolerico

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the passing of Brother Joe Tolerico. As a maintenance engineer, Joe was responsible for maintaining and designing technical equipment during his career in television. Joe joined the local in 1982 putting in his time covering local news for 37 years at New York’s very own WPIX-11. He would eventually retire in 2019 but not before the station would feature him in a segment celebrating his accomplishments and contributions.

https://fb.watch/6qWWg99XXK/

Among his many accolades was an award from the New York State Broadcasters Association for outstanding public service efforts during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Joe’s family is postponing memorial services until later this year. Joe is survived by his wife Linda and four children (Joe Jr, Jimmy, Steve and Mike). Our prayers are with them at this difficult time.

Joseph Tolerico – WPIX-11
IBEW 1212 Member

Fraternally,

Ralph Avigliano

Business Manager

Local 1212, IBEW

2021 Election Results

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am pleased to announce the results of the 2021 IBEW local 1212 election. Please join me in congratulating the Officers and Executive Board. I would also like to thank the membership for their continued support. The results are listed below.

Fraternally,

Ralph Avigliano

Business Manager/ Financial Secretary

Officers:

  • President – Daniel Ham
  • Vice President – Philip Doyle
  • Recording Secretary – Eric Kramer
  • Business Manager/ Financial Secretary – Ralph Avigliano
  • Treasurer – Joe Gerardi

Executive Board:

  • Edgard Alvarez
  • Thomas Cassidy
  • Kachi Delvalle
  • Christina Donohue
  • Frank Dulzaides
  • Tim Long
  • Joseph Palumbo
  • Scott Rothweiler
  • Shawn Tervenski

Delegates to the International Convention:

  • Ralph Avigliano
  • Philip Doyle
  • Daniel Ham
  • Joseph Palumbo
  • Ryan O’Boyle
  • Thomas Cassidy

We Remember Jim Sicile

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of Brother James Sicile. Jim was a storyteller, who brought the news to the public through the lens of his camera. His professionalism, compassion and skill sent him all over the world to cover News for the major Broadcast Networks. Whenever news broke, Jim was there to capture these historical moments, many large stories and some small, but all important to Jim.

We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Kathie, and their children, Kaitlin, Brianne, Jeffrey and Justin. May God Bless Jim and family at this difficult time.

A service for James will start at 11am on Thursday (June 17, 2021) at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. This will be followed by Mass service at noon. The address is:

225 Bellevue Avenue, Penndel, PA 19047

Fraternally,

Ralph Avigliano

Business Manager

Local 1212, IBEW

We Remember Craig Pianko

Dear Brothers and Sisters

It is with deep sadness that I share the news of Craig Pianko’s passing. He was initiated into IBEW Local 1212 in 1984 when he worked at WNJU-Channel 47 in Newark, NJ.  Craig was a seasoned professional working in Television behind the camera with Madison Square Garden, WPIX-11, and Fox Sports.  

The information about the arrangements for Craig are listed below.  May God Bless Craig and his family.  He will be missed. 

https://freemanfuneralhomes.com/tribute/details/8286/Craig-Pianko/service-information.html?fbclid=IwAR1AZG2GlCZLc_BZpokWod3nFsRqyHJRrXPsGqZvhfTuY8jDy4P5X-99ZKc