Memorial Service Planned for Ambridge Native Donn Wuycik
Wuycik with the Ambridge Fire Department in the 1980s.
A memorial service and fireworks display will be held tonight in honor of an Ambridge native and former owner of WMBA-AM Ambridge radio station who touched many lives in Beaver County.
PUSH Beaver County plans to honor the late Donn R. Wuycik, 60, of Ambridge, with a 7 p.m. memorial service at the 1810 Tavern in Bridgewater.
Wuycik died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Dec. 2 of natural causes in Heritage Valley Sewickley hospital.
He was a founding member of PUSH Beaver County, a board member and
one of the facilitators of Beaver County BOOM.
"He leaves behind an incredible legacy within the PUSH organization and his tremendous commitment to the Beaver County community was easily seen," a message posted on the PUSH Beaver County Facebook page reads. "He touched so many lives fulfilling his dream of bringing one of the greatest fireworks shows to Beaver County and sustaining it year after year. It was his passion and he will be sorely missed by so many."
Today's memorial service will include Zambelli fireworks and a performance by his favorite band "Doug and Dave." Friends and loved ones are invited to come to 1810 Tavern and share their favorite stories and memories.
Because of the lives he touched, many have shared memories of Wuycik since his passing.
"Donn was my boss, mentor, supporter but most of all a friend. His big heart and generosity touched many and he will be missed," state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Ambridge, a former WMBA program director, wrote in a Facebook post.
Ambridge Council held a moment of silence Tuesday night for Wuycik, who council members each remembered fondly.
"We all know him," said Councilman Gerald "Duke" McCoy. "He was a good guy. He did a lot for a lot of people."
Wuycik bought WMBA in 1986 and turned it into a 24/7 broadcasting outlet after decades of daily 6 a.m. to midnight hours, according to the Times. The news- and talk-oriented station was relocated from an Old Economy area neighborhood to a more visible and community accessible storefront location on Merchant Street.
He later sold WMBA in 2000 to Frank Iorio of competing Beaver Falls station WBVP 1230 AM. The two Beaver County stations have simulcast programs since, with studios in Beaver Falls.
A 1972 Ambridge Area High School graduate, Wuycik was the owner of RSVP Answering Service on Route 65 in Ambridge, and was the former owner of WMBA in Ambridge. He was also a member of the Ambridge Eagles, formerly an Ambridge firefighter and the former police chief for South Heights Borough.
Friends were received on Tuesday, Dec. 9, in the Bohn-Matich Funeral Home Inc., 1099 Maplewood Ave., Ambridge, where a service will be held Wednesday morning, Dec. 10 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m. at SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church. The Rev. Father Michael Polosky, his pastor, is officiating.