LINESVILLE — Mr. Radio — silenced. Arthur William Cervi Sr., 89, of Linesville, “Mr. Radio” — the “Voice of Crawford County,” as some referred to him, passed away in his sleep on Sunday, June 14, 2009, at Soldiers and Sailors VA Nursing Home in Erie.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Pasquale Thomas Cervi and Mary Monda Cervi.

He is survived by his wife, Lillian Fazio Cervi; daughters, Sandra Bacasa of Pittsburgh and Dorine Mitnick of Atlanta, Ga.; son, Arthur William Cervi Jr. of Linesville; sister, Annette Crelli of Pittsburgh; and brother, James Cervi of Arizona. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

As a soldier in the 4th Marine Division, he served in World War II in the Pacific. He entered the U.S. Marines on May 11, 1944, served at Iwo Jima in February 1945, receiving a purple heart July 11, 1945. He came home to his family with honorable discharge on Feb. 19, 1946.

Art worked until his early retirement at age 62 for Westinghouse Electric Corp., the Nuttall Works Division in Wilkinsburg; APD Division, Ardmore Boulevard, Forest Hills; Astro Fuel in Cheswick; Astronuclear in Large; PAD in Wilkins Township. One of his proud accomplishments was that at age 42 he graduated from Duquesne University, where he attended night school to earn his BAA degree.

At age 50 he then began a new adventure in life as the founder and owner of WVCC Radio from 1970 until 2003, fulfilling a lifetime dream. Prior to WVCC, Art was known around the Meadville area, where he spun records at Sandalini’s Restaurant for years, providing a wonderful big band dance experience for all who attended.

He was an active member of Linesville Veterans of Foreign Wars, Linesville American Legion, Conneaut Lake Park Fire Hall, Italian Civic Club and Pymatuning Area Sports Club. He served on the board for the Crawford County Fair and participated many years in Toastmaster.

He will long be remembered for the joy he brought on radio with his “big band” sound, and by the teens in Pittsburgh where he was their favorite DJ every Saturday night at the Penn Hills YMCA in the late 1950s and ’60s.

No services are planned.

Roofner-Collins Funeral Home Inc., 544 Chestnut St., Meadville, is in charge of arrangements.