Valley Mourns ‘Voice of the Merrimack Valley’ Bruce Arnold

Bruce Arnold Salvucci.

Bruce Arnold Salvucci, “The Voice of the Merrimack Valley,” 79, of Swampscott, died Saturday at Grosvenor Park Health Center, Salem.

The longtime WCCM radio morning host and 2010 inductee into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame, was born in Lynn, the son of the late Nunziato (Frank) and Sylvia (Gannino) Salvucci. He was a 1953 graduate of Lynn English High School and Grahm Jr. College, School of Radio and TV. He began his radio career in 1955 at WJWG in Conway, N.H. He served in the Army from 1956 to 1959, while in the Army he continued his broadcasting career with Armed Forces Radio and Television. In 1957, he was sent to Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands, an atomic bomb test site, part of Operation Hardtack. The last year of his army service was completed in 1959 at the Army Pictorial Center in Long Island, N.Y., producing, directing and sometimes acting in TV and motion picture army training films. In October, 1959, he joined WCCM, Lawrence, beginning a career that would span more than 50 years. He also occasionally worked at WHIL (now KISS 108) and WBZ, where he was the regular fill-in host for Larry Glick and Bob Raleigh.

In 1996, he played a vital role in bringing Haverhill’s “Bill Pike on the Open Mike” back to radio. The segment, part of a larger program called “Haverhill Today,” aired on WCCM Sunday mornings until a revived WHAV could be launched.

In addition to his radio responsibilities, Arnold hosted cable television interview programs including “Around Town with Bruce Arnold” and “Around the Valley with Bruce Arnold,” earning him ACE awards for excellence in cable programming along with Associated Press Radio Awards, Honorary Irishman of the Year for a St. Patrick’s Day parade, the John Fenton Citizenship Award, awards from the American Cancer Society, the Quota Club, Methuen Board of Trade Person of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kiwanis Club.

He will be inducted posthumously into the Lynn English High School Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife, Lenora (Pettinelli) Salvucci, who was born and raised in Lawrence. They celebrated 54 years of marriage Sept. 10. He also leaves two daughters, Sharon, wife of Doug Crowell of Lynn, and Lisa, wife of Peter Shaffaval of Salisbury; six grandchildren, Matthew, Katelyn, Christopher, Jonathan, Joseph and Michael; one great-grandson, Aiden; sister, Diane, of Swampscott; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert.

Visiting hours at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen, are Wednesday, Sept. 23rd from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral mass will take place Thursday, Sept. 24, at 10:30 a.m. at Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church, 35 Essex St. in Lawrence. Burial will follow at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence.

Donations may be made to the Bruce Arnold Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Alfio Society, 20 Common St., Lawrence 01840.

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