Celebrating 25 years of Tony Petrarca

(WPRI) - Eyewitness News is celebrating Chief Meteorologist Tony Petrarca's 25 years at WPRI 12.

It's no surprise why Rhode Islanders have loved Tony through the years.

He was born Anthony Ralph Petrarca and he always wanted to be a meteorologist.

"As a kid, I was always interested in storms and weather," said Tony. "But the Blizzard of '78 was the spark that really started things and made me interested in weather."

From the top of Mount Washington to inside the Magic Kingdom, Tony has traveled to many places to report on the weather. But it's at WPRI 12, in the state Tony has called home for nearly his entire life, that he's most enjoyed forecasting what Mother Nature has to offer for a quarter of a century now.

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"One reason why I've lasted 25 years is because I take my work seriously, but I don't take myself seriously," said Tony.

Tony's mom remembers "her Anthony's" first day on WPRI 12.

"The kid was hyperventilating," she said. "I was a wreck. He looked like a statue. Then, he just developed. What you see is what you get."

Tony has become one of the most respected meteorologists in New England. He has earned countless awards and recognition, including six Associated Press awards, and he was selected eight times by Rhode Island Monthly readers as the state's best television meteorologist. He's also visited hundreds of schools and raised millions of dollars for local charities.

When it comes to forecasting big weather events like the Great Barrington tornado or the Blizzard of '92, Tony is right at home. However, things don't always go as planned, as Tony's mom recalled in explaining it's like to have a meteorologist for a son.

"When I go to the market the next day, I catch it," she said. Other shoppers tell her, " 'Your son said it was going to be sunny and it's raining today.' He's just the messenger."

His sense of humor, kind heart, ability to make people feel important, and his keen eye for forecasting has made Tony part of the fabric of southern New England.

His mom sums it up by saying, "I'm very proud of him and I'm sure his dad is looking down from heaven and is very proud of him."

Click here if you'd like to leave well wishes for Tony.