End of an era: Former co-workers, community leaders wish Vince Condella well in retirement

BROWN DEER -- Wednesday, May 25th marked the end of an era, as FOX6's Vince Condella delivered his final forecast after 34 years with WITI.

After 34 years of forecasts, 34 years of teaching and mentoring -- passing on his passion to others, and 34 years of being relatable for FOX6 viewers, Vince Condella has retired.

Vince Condella

"When Vince came, we brought science on the air and started teaching people," Joanne Williams, WITI anchor/reporter from 1978-2008 said.

"He wanted to really bring meteorology down to a level that, you know, ordinary lay people could understand so that it wasn`t this mystical, magical thing," Alison Gilman, WITI anchor from 1997-2005 said.

"Vince, congratulations! Holy cow! Are you really retiring? Can you believe it?" Bart Adrian, WITI meteorologist from 1982-2010 said.

Vince Condella

While the science of meteorology and severe storms are serious business, Vince Condella is a guy who never took himself too seriously.

"I remember Vince in here for every serious snowstorm, from the first flake to the last clean up of the streets," Joanne Williams said.

From the classroom to the community, from the rain forest to the open road, Vince has made so many friends and touched the lives of so many people.

Vince Condella

"Hey Vince -- on behalf of the residents of the city of Milwaukee, I want to thank you for 34 years of great service to this community. You`ve been a fantastic meteorologist. You`ve never once gotten a forecast wrong, and you`ve done so much for this community -- from your Condella`s Coats for Kids, to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to riding a Harley around the community, you`ve been great. We`re gonna miss you. But thank you very, very much," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said.

If you ask him, Vince will deny his legendary status, but to all of us at FOX6 News who have had the pleasure of working with him over the last 34 years, he is, simply put -- the best.

Vince Condella

"Vince, or as we affectionately refer to you as Vinnie, we will miss you so much. But you are leaving a little piece of you behind, and I`m not just talking about your cool walk up song -- ("Bang Bang" by Jesse J and Arianna Grande) I`m talking about the spirit of Vince Condella that's gonna be with us for a very long time," Mary Stoker Smith said.

"Gosh, FOX6 was such a great place to work together. And over the years we had so many different images. 'We`re pulling for you.' Remember that one? 'Fox is Six, Six is News.' 'A friend you can count on.' I love that one. And then we were 'fair, balanced, concerned.' But you know what? Most of all, we were friends, and we still are, always. Looking forward to having coffee with you in retirement. Looking forward to catching up with you on Facebook, and most of all, looking forward to celebrating with you," Bart Adrian said.

Vince Condella

"Well Vince, in sports we like to say he or she left it all out on the field. And that`s what you did here, all these years at FOX6. You`re one of the greatest pros I ever had the privilege of working with, but an even better human being, a great husband to Janet. We wish you all the best," Tom Pipines said.

Vince Condella

"Vince, I know this was the night you`ve been looking forward to for a long time. But if it were up to the rest of us, we would build a wall and stop this day from happening. There`s not enough time in this show or enough words in the dictionary to properly give you thanks for what you have done here," Ted Perry said.

Vince Condella