Television writer and producer Tom Fontana has been named grand marshal of Buffalo's eighth annual Columbus Day Parade at 1 p.m. Oct. 12 on Hertel Avenue, the Federation of Italian-American Societies of Western New York announces.

Fontana, who grew up in Buffalo and graduated from SUNY Buffalo State, has been a writer and producer of series such as "St. Elsewhere," "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "Oz." The federation also will honor Fontana at its 106th annual Columbus Dinner Gala at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 in Salvatore's Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Road, Lancaster. Tickets are $65. Call 668-9451 or 523-0360.

Source: http://www.buffalonews.com