Henry Dabecco, the popular broadcaster who had a hand in shaping Pittsburgh's airwaves from the '50s to the '90s, died of cancer Wednesday afternoon at the Fair Oaks nursing home, where he had spent the past two years. He was 79.

Mr. Dabecco started his broadcast career in Connellsville and became widely known to Pittsburghers as a disc jockey for KQV in the 1950s. Apart from spinning records, Mr. Dabecco announced upcoming songs and informed listeners what was going on in town.

"He was considered one of the 'fab five,' the fabulous five announcers for KQV," said Joanne Dabecco, one of his nieces.

In the '60s, Mr. Dabecco moved to WTAE radio, where he became the voice of late-afternoon "drive time" for several years. He continued his career on the TV side of WTAE as an announcer for Channel 4.

Bob Watt, staff director at WTAE-TV, remembers Mr. Dabecco as being a very private but amiable colleague and good friend.

"I knew him from the time I started at the station in 1969 and got to be very friendly with him," Watt said. "I was a great fan of Pittsburgh radio and Henry was the voice of KQV for years."

Mr. Dabecco hosted a weekly public affairs program during the '70s. "I directed him as he hosted 'Community Outreach,' " Watt recalled. "We had community leaders come in and talk about the town. The show was really produced for him."

After retiring in 1987, Mr. Dabecco spent the winter months in West Palm Beach, Fla., until his health failed two years ago. "He loved the heat, the sun," says his niece.

Mr. Dabecco, a longtime member of the Pittsburgh Athletic Association, never married. He was very fond of his family, especially his nephews and nieces, whom he frequently joined for dinner and family gatherings.

Mr. Dabecco is survived by his brother, Joseph Dabecco of Pleasant Hills. Friends will be received at the William Slater & Sons II Funeral Home, 1650 Greentree Road, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 1905 Broadway Ave., Beechview, tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

First Published: April 1, 2005, 5:00 a.m.