Tedesco, Victor J., 1922-

Victor J. Tedesco was born (1922) in the Swede Hollow neighborhood of St. Paul's East Side, the son of Antonio and Aida Tedesco. He attended local elementary and high schools, and during World War II (1942-1946) he was an instructor at the Fort Knox (Kentucky) armored school. In 1947 he married Florence Valento.

A radio and television station owner, publicist, and amateur musician, Tedesco was active in many civic organizations in St. Paul, including the St. Paul Association for Retarded Children. He served as publicity director for a number of Catholic churches; was active in the National Council of Catholic Men; had a financial interest in the Phalen Park State Bank, the Trans-Mississippi Development Corporation, and the Life Insurance Company of Minnesota; and was a member of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (1977-1978). He, along with his brothers, owned and helped manage twelve radio stations, including radio station KCHY (Cheyenne, Wyo.) and the Northern States Broadcasting Corporation of the Black Hills (Rapid City, S.D.).

He was also involved in professional sports activities. In 1963, along with Don Riley and Jack Douglas, he began Impala Productions, which produced fifteen-minute radio sports broadcasts and also produced the newspaper Touchdown USA, covering professional football.

His political career began in 1966, when he was elected to the St. Paul City Council, later serving (1982-1987) as its president. He also served as Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Public Buildings (1966-1972), and was credited with preserving many park areas in St. Paul. He retired from the council in 1987.

From the guide to the Victor J. Tedesco papers., 1964-1987., (Minnesota Historical Society)