EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The end of an era for Rhode Island’s radio waves is approaching. On Thursday morning, 92 PRO-FM host Giovanni announced he will be retiring this spring.
Giovanni has been at the radio station for nearly five decades, hosting the morning show since 1999.
12 News cameras captured the moments when the host announced his retirement on his show, Giovanni in the Morning.
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“This is a big deal to say, ‘I’m leaving.’ I’m going to have a hard time wrapping that around my head,” Giovanni said.
He talked about what went into the difficult decision to step away.
“A couple years ago my mom got sick and we had to put her in a nursing home, and I didn’t like that. No one wants to put their mother in a nursing home, and it was the only option we had,” he said.
“During that time, I started to think about myself and my future. I started to say to myself, ‘why am I still doing what I’m doing? Maybe it’s time for me to move on,’” Giovanni continued.