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Writer/producer Tom Fontana returns to Buffalo

Buffalo's Tom Fontana, the producer/writer connected to such well-known works as St.Elsewhere, Oz and Homicide: Life on the Street, says he hasn't been back to Buffalo recently, but that will change this Columbus Day weekend when he appears at a series of events.

On Sunday, Fontana will be recognized at annual gala of the Federation of Italian-American Societies of Western New York.

"They very kindly are giving me the 'Man of the Year' award. I'm not 100 percent sure why I deserve it, but being a man who believes in accepting awards when they're offered, I have gratefully accepted."  

The Buffalo State graduate knows something about receiving awards from a career that has featured three Writer's Guild Awards, three Emmy's, four Peabody's and many others.

Fontana plans to host a special dinner for friends and family during his weekend in Buffalo. On Saturday afternoon along Hertel Avenue he'll serve as Grand Marshall for the Columbus Parade.

He took a moment Thursday from his edit work on his current Netflix series "Borgia" to talk with WBFO News. After years of success, he maintains a work ethic that dates back to his days in Buffalo.

"I have had this writing process basically since I went to Canisius High School. I get up at 5 and I write. I get up directly and sit down and write. I don't distract myself," Fontana said. 

"A lot of writers do whatever they can to avoid starting to write. I actually love to write and I consider it a blessing that I get to do it every day. Every day I get to do something I love and I get paid for it, I mean how stupid would I be to try to avoid it."

Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Jay joined Buffalo Toronto Public Media in 2008 and has been local host for NPR's "Morning Edition" ever since. In June, 2022, he was named one of the co-hosts of WBFO's "Buffalo, What's Next."

A graduate of St. Mary's of the Lake School, St. Francis High School and Buffalo State College, Jay has worked most of his professional career in Buffalo. Outside of public media, he continues in longstanding roles as the public address announcer for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League and as play-by-play voice of Canisius College basketball.