Arnold DEAN

DEAN, Arnold

Arnold Dean, whose given name was "Arnold D'Angelo," passed away unexpectedly Saturday morning, (December 8, 2012). Arnold was 82.

Born in Cortland, NY to Frank and Mary D'Angelo, Arnold graduated from Syracuse University after his radio career had already started. He began broadcasting in 1948 at age 18 at WKRT and later at WHEN in Upstate NY.

Arnold moved to WTIC in Hartford in 1965, his dream job. Arnold's broadcasting career spanned over 60 years in both radio and television and he covered virtually every format, including news, sports (sports broadcasts for: The Greater Hartford Open (40+ years); The Hartford Whalers; UCONN Basketball & Football; The Hartford Knights and others), children's shows (The Ranger Andy Show), big band music (Sunday Showcase, The Plaza Show, The Dean's List), and finally as the beloved "Dean of Sports" (Talk) at WTIC radio for over 30 years. 

Along the way, Arnold was awarded, and/or inducted into, the Sportscasters Hall of Fame, Connecticut's Sportscaster of the Year (repeatedly) and also recognized for many exceptional broadcasts by the National Sportscasters - Sportswriters Assoc. Arnold was associated with several charities and tirelessly assisted The Jimmy Fund and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and The Nutmeg State Games. 

He also generously gave his time to various local sports organizations and charitable work, including the Middletown Sports Hall of Fame and the Middletown Sports Charity Dinner. Arnold, who was well known in the region as "The Dean of Sports" to his fans, will be greatly missed by his many listeners, but most of all by his family. Arnold was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and a role model on how to live life. He leaves behind his children Arnold, Jr. Mary Rondini, and Richard, daughters-in-law Dena and Carol; and grandchildren Anthony Rondini, Jenna, Nicole, Samantha and Nicholas. Arnold tenderly cared for his wife Helen, who passed away in 2011, after her struggle with cancer. Arnold lost his brother Bob and sister Anita Corrente earlier in life. 

Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m., Friday Dec. 14 at Brooklawn Funeral Home, 511 Brook St. Rocky Hill. Family and friends may gather for a Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Arnold's life at 11 a.m., Saturday Dec. 15 at St. James Chruch,767 Elm St. Rocky Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Arnold D'Angelo's memory to:The Mother Shaun Endowment Fund, The Franciscan Life Center, 271 Finch Avenue, Meriden, CT 06451 or The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th FL., Brookline, MA 02445