Central Catholic honors Toledo broadcaster, alumnus

12/5/2012
BLADE STAFF
A plaque in honor of Frank Venner, a 1944 graduate of Central Catholic High School, that is placed on a wall in Central Catholic's digital media production center.
A plaque in honor of Frank Venner, a 1944 graduate of Central Catholic High School, that is placed on a wall in Central Catholic's digital media production center.

Longtime Toledo broadcaster Frank C. Venner III, who died in August, was honored by his former Central Catholic High School classmates today.

The event included a brief ceremony and the dedication of a memorial plaque that will be placed in the school's digital media production center.

Mr. Venner was a 1944 Central Catholic graduate. His former classmates said they wanted to honor their friend, who touched many people's lives.

"He was a super guy,"  said former classmate Ray Murnen. "He was very well-liked and accomplished so many things in his life. It was amazing."

Mr. Venner began his broadcasting career at WSPD, the local radio and television station whose TV side later became WTVG-TV, Channel 13.

During his 40 years at the station, he traveled to Rome to cover the 1960 Summer Olympics as an announcer, and broadcast the popular "Weather-in-the-Weather" show from the former Commodore Perry Hotel.

He also was host for the High School Quiz program for a quarter century, was a co-anchor of the Venner-Ward Report, and was editorial director and news director before his retirement in 1988.

"He was a man people respected," said Bob O'Brian, another classmate. "He was a fine person."

- Federico Martinez