Remembering Anthony P. (Tony) Zecca

Tony Zecca was an absolute trailblazer.
In fact, in Philadelphia he was a public relations pioneer. 
Zecca was one of the first public relations practitioners to direct PR for a major municipal entity. The year was 1953. The Mayor was legendary Philadelphia reformer Richardson Dilworth. When Dilworth decided that he needed a Public Relations director, he turned to Zecca, a former wire service reporter who had the distinction of covering three political conventions in the city in 1948.
Zecca was the right man for the job -- and not just because he scored the highest of numerous applicants on the civil service exam. Zecca was quick. He was street-smart. He was loyal, yes. But he was also a total pro. He had good judgment and was an adept multi-tasker long before anyone even knew what the term meant.
Over the course of 23 years in city government Zecca worked for several Philadelphia mayors but he is best remembered as the spokesman, wordsmith and ever-president confidante to Mayor Frank Rizzo, one of the most colorful characters in Philadelphia's rich history.
As Deputy Mayor to Rizzo, Zecca was the guy who who worked his butt off to try to make sure that the rough-hewn Rizzo looked, talked and acted like a mayor. But he was also the guy who had to repair the damage when the Big Bambino didn't live up to the expectations of his most trusted loyalists. Along the way, once in awhile Zecca doubtless had to learn to simply "let Rizzo be Rizzo."
In the end it Zecca who was with Rizzo on the day he died in July 1991. Rizzo was seeking a dramatic return to the mayor's office when Zecca found the former Police Commissioner dead on the floor in the bathroom of his campaign office. Rizzo suffered a massive heart attack.
That day brought to an end a significant portion of Tony Zecca's career. And Zecca always maintained that an important part of Philadelphia died as well when Frank Rizzo passed on.
Today, we mourn the passing of  Anthony P. Zecca, a fellow member of the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame who died Sunday.
Tony Zecca was born in Philadelphia to Italian immigrants Giacomo Zecca, who built boats and planes at the Naval Shipyard, and Nevicella Zecca.
He grew up at 18th and Mifflin streets and graduated from South Philadelphia High School. He went on to Temple University, where he became editor of the Temple News.
He went to work for the old International News Service, and covered the 1948 Democratic, Republican and Progressive Party political conventions, all held in Philadelphia.
We extend our condolences to his son Mark, his daughter Adrienne and the entire family.
Those of us who follow in the footsteps of Tony Zecca are honored to do so.