Remembering Joe Bilotta
• Over the weekend we learned the sad news of the passing of Joe Bilotta, the former longtime President/CEO of Buckley Broadcasting, who died on Friday, June 1 at Connecticut Hospice after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 69.
For the first 42 years of his tenure with Buckley, Bilotta worked side-by-side with his close colleague and best friend, former Buckley President Rick Buckley, who passed away on July 31, 2011. Three years later to the day — July 31, 2014, RAMP paid tribute to Bilotta as he marked his 45th anniversary with the company — a phenomenal accomplishment by any standards. After his retirement from Buckley, Bilotta served as President & CEO of his own company, JMB Solutions, LLC.
Over the course of his career, Bilotta served on the Boards of the RAB, NAB, the Broadcasters Foundation of America and the New Jersey Broadcasters Association. Bilotta was also one of the 2018 recipients of the prestigious Ward L. Quaal Leadership Awards, presented by the Broadcasters Foundation of America “in recognition of career contributions to the broadcast industry and the community at-large.”
Paul Rotella, Pres./CEO of the New Jersey Broadcasters Association (NJBA) was nice enough to share a note he sent to board members on Friday night. The note read, in part, “It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that Joe Bilotta passed away this afternoon… Joe was a constant source of support, advice, and guidance. His wise counsel and friendship meant a lot to all of us on the Board, but most especially me — he was always available to help… and I wanted to let you know of this sad occasion.” Rotella also shared the story of his first encounter with Bilotta, noting, “Joe was the first guy I met at NJBA. He was trying to open the door of our building, balancing four containers of coffee when I was walking in to my first interview over 10 years ago. I helped him, and boy, was I glad I did!”
Bilotta is survived by his wife, Barbara Gillen Bilotta. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, June 6, from 3-7pm at the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield, CT. Services will take place at 9:15am at the funeral home, followed by a funeral mass at 10:30am at St. Thomas Church, 1719 Post Road, Fairfield, with a reception to follow.
• In memory of Joe Bilotta, the Broadcasters Foundation of America has established the Joseph M. Bilotta Memorial Fund, which will continue to support the Foundation’s mission of providing aid to past and present members of the broadcasting profession who have fallen on hard times. The Broadcasters Foundation is the only charity exclusively devoted to helping broadcasters in acute need. “Joe was a friend and champion of the Broadcasters Foundation and our industry,” said Jim Thompson, President of the Broadcasters Foundation of America. “He devoted time and energy to advancing broadcasting and to helping colleagues in need. He will be missed by many, personally and professionally.”
To donate to the Joseph M. Bilotta Memorial Fund, please visit broadcastersfoundation.org, call 212-373-8250 or email info@thebfoa.org.
