Lawrence A. Conti Jr., 1935-2020

Lawrence, known by his family and friends as “Larry,” was born May 17, 1935, in New York City, where he lived as a young boy until moving with his parents to New Castle, Pa. He was a graduate of New Castle High School, where he was active in theater, student council and president of the German Club, before attending St. Louis University.

He returned to New Castle to begin his long and busy career in radio broadcasting at WKST in New Castle before moving to Steubenville to begin working at WSTV. He then moved to Youngstown, where he began a long career with WKBN as a radio DJ. He advanced his career to program director, in addition to hosting two popular TV and radio shows, one being “Afternoon Theater,” where he dressed as characters from the movie of that day. Mr. Conti designed all his own costumes. He also was the creator and host of “The Bird Show,” hosting many outings in Mill Creek Park with his followers as they viewed many local birds in their natural habitat. He also hosted many remote broadcasts from Idora Park and local businesses.

He and his family then moved to New Orleans, where he worked at WWL-TV. In the mid-1970s, he returned to Pennsylvania to work for WFEM in Ellwood City and KDKA in Pittsburgh. During his broadcasting career, Larry became the executive vice president of Scott Broadcasting and later working as executive vice president of Rust Broadcasting, overseeing 12 radio stations for each company. He then returned to Youngstown, where he made a career change working for the Austintown Ambulatory Center until his retirement in the mid-1980s. During that time, Mr. Conti was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in Akron.

Mr. Conti was a former member of the Lions, Elks and Eagles clubs, and did charity work with the American Cancer Society. He also was active in local theater. Larry was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Della (Booth) Conti and Lawrence Conti Sr.; his brothers, Ronald, Raymond and Richard; his sister, Lorraine; and his beloved dog, Winston.

Mr. Conti is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marguerite Micco Conti, whom he married Oct. 19, 1957; his daughter, Jacqueline (Donnie) Ralutz; his son, Lawrence (Anna) Conti III; two grandchildren, Blake Via and Krystina Boano; two great-grandchildren, Wilson and Aria; his brothers, Edward Conti and James Conti; sister, Laura Black; half-brother, Jerry Young; and many beloved family members and nieces and nephews.

As per his wishes, there will be no public viewing or service.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made in his name to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the ASPCA at www.aspca.org, two of Larry’s favorite charities.

Arrangements are being handled by the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Poland.

Condolences may be sent at www:beckerobits.com.

(special notice)