Philadelphia Daily News from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 3

PhHadelphla Deny News Thursday. Sept. 27. 1984 3 I i-t Iff'. 'K1' By TOM COONEY Daily News Staff Writer John Facenda said that his voice his magnificent voice was a gift of God.

And his father, he said, had taught him how to use it. It was a typically modest remark for Facenda, the stellar newscaster who died yesterday morning in Mercy Catholic Medical Center, Fitzgerald Division, at age 71. He had been ill several months. No cause of death was announced, but several sources said he had died of lung cancer. For more than 40 years, Facenda was at the top of his profession The Voice: Larry McMullen on Page 36 An editorial: Page 37 More photos: Page 52 Giving of himself: Page 79 first as a broadcaster on radio station WIP, then as a newscaster on Channel 10 and, in his spare time, as the voice of NFL Films and of a host of commercials heard nationwide.

Despite all that, and despite the numerous awards presented him for his excellence. Facenda remained a man almost revered by his fellow workers for his kindnesses to them, his generosity, his freely given advice and quick praise all the qualities that set a man apart from, and above, the pack. Facenda's voice deep, resonant, melodic was instantly recognizable by millions in the Philadelphia area and probably (because of his NFL Films work) by millions more throughout the country. Millions in this area knew his sign-off: "Do have a nice night tonight and a good day tomorrow; goodnight all." That remarkable voice, that beautiful, beautiful mellifluous voice recalled a saddened Vince Leonard, former Channel 3 anchor in -Philadelphia, now anchoring in Phoenix, Ariz. "His style on the air was unique.

I had never seen anyone quite like him the way he handled himself, the charm, the great ability, the talent, the projection. John Facenda was a great thing to see." There obviously was more to the man than the God-given voice. There gS a'e1' fj Staff Photography by W.R. Evany IN After retiring as news anchor, Facenda continued to host specials such as this "Eye on Philadelphia" segment In 1975 speeches. Each of us children would draw a card and then speak in both English and Italian on the topic we'd drawn.

I'm convinced it was that little game that enabled me to speak easily on the air without a text." He also told how he overcame his nervousness on his first radio broadcast by telling himself that he was just talking to his mother. He continued doing that, he said, throughout the years, long after his mother had died. He showed the same type of devotion for his wife, Dorothy, his son, John and his three grandchildren, who survive him. His wife was was the ease with which he spoke, the command he seemed to have of every subject with which he dealt. It was this latter quality that Facenda credited to his father, a big, handsome man whom he revered.

Facenda had six brothers and six sisters. As he told the story, the family had little money for entertainment and there was no television in those days. So the father of the household devised his own form of entertainment. "In the evening after dinner," Facenda recalled, "he'd produce a lot of cards on which he'd written topics for seriously disabled by illness in recent years, but Facenda faithfully took her to church and wherever else she needed to go, until he became too ill himself several months ago. "All you had to do was hear him say, 'Please, pray for and you knew that here was a man -who believed in Cod and respected his neighbor," said Cardinal John Krol.

Facenda came to Philadelphia from his native Portsmouth, in 1926, at age 13, when his father, a civil engineer, took a job helping to See FACENDA Page 79 Services Tomorrow Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for John Facenda at 11 a.m. tomorrow at St. Bcrnadctte's Church, Bond Street and Turner Avenue, Drexcl Hill, Delaware County. Friends may call between 10 and 11 a.m. Burial will be private.

Mass cards are preferred, or contributions to Mercy Catholic Medical Center, Fitzgerald Division, Lansdowne Avenue and Baily Road, Darby, Pa. His LegBcy Friends Bndl 'Reflect on people. He was just a real nice guy to be with." first TV job was at Channel 10: "He was such a generous man. He was generous with his time, and if you needed to borrow a fast $1,000, with John, you would have it in your pocket while you were talking to him." now an anchor for KTNX-TV, Phoenix: "That man you saw on the air was about the same fella you saw off the air. He was not a person that projected two different images.

He was unique in our business in just the kind of man he was, and how he handled himself doing a television newscast. With that voice, with that image I hate to use the word he was one of a kind. And because he was a pioneer. He was in television from the very early days, and he grew with television from its infancy. He certainly set the style for so many that followed him." John Facenda TV pioneer, newsman, mentor, legend, friend.

His passing evoked many fond memories from well-known Philadelphians, former Phi-ladelphians and non-Philadelphians. Here are some of them: Stephen J. Cohen, vice president and general manager, WCAU-TV, Channel 10: "John Facenda symbolized the best in broadcasting. His legacy to us is the high standards to which we aspire daily. Our tribute to him is to continue to live up to his example.

He will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched." Former Channel 10 and Channel 3 anchor Jack Jones: "The highlight of every Philadelphia child's Christmas was to go down to Wana-maker's and hear his voice with the dancing fountains." Cardinal John Krol, archbishop of Philadelphia: "John Facenda was the personification of the voice of our whole community. Whether in news, sports, advertising or public affairs, he always commanded our attention. When we heard him. we responded, because we all knew him as a loved one. He truly loved the Delaware Valley its people, its history, its sports teams, its institutions." Steve SaboL executive vice president, NFL Films: "The sound of his voice will always be as much a part of the NFL as the roar of the crowd and the crunch of pads and helmets." NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle: "To many fans, John Facenda was NFL Films.

His marvelous voice and unique delivery will always be an Important part of the history of the MARIA GALLAGHER Mayor W. Wilson Goode: "I grew up believing the only newsperson in Philadelphia was John Facenda." Sportscaster Harry Kalas: "He was about the kindest, most gentle man I ever met Among us broadcast types, he'd have to be considered the man with the best voice of us all, and a personality to match. He was such a nice human being." Channel 10 anchor Larry Kane: "I remember one thing he said to me: These people in this town are tough. They can fall in love with you, or they can really dislike you. But if they fall in love with you, they love you They loved him forever." Former Mayor Frank Rizzo: "He was a great human being.

I was in constant communica- with Un as a high-ranking police of ficer Former Channel 3 anchor Vince Leonard, Tonight show co-host Ed McMahon, whose' and as a mayor. He was always available to help.