K.C. Kantz is moving on and taking with him fond memories of his time in central Pennsylvania.

Kantz, WTAJ morning news co-anchor, will become morning co-anchor at WLNE, an ABC affiliate in Providence, R.I.

Kantz, who grew up in Edinboro, said he always wanted to be a sportscaster, his first job at WTAJ.

He went to Edinboro University to stay close to home and take advantage of the school’s broadcast journalism program.

“They had a working TV station and a working radio station,” he said. “I could do all I wanted to do and learn the ropes and be close to home and help my family. I try to give as much love to Edinboro as I can. My professors helped me, and I always am indebted to them.”

After earning a degree in broadcast journalism, Kantz got his first job as weekend sports anchor at WSEE in Erie as a junior in college.

He came to WTAJ in 2010 as weekend sports anchor, and a few years later moved to the news side and became morning co-anchor.

“I was never going to do it when they first asked me,” Kantz, 36, said.

“I was so focused on sports. The news media business has been changing, and there are not a lot of openings in sports. I went back and told them I would like to try it, and it has worked out great.”

Friday will be Kantz’s last day on the air at WTAJ, and he said he will miss his co-workers and the people in the community.

“The first second I step in and see Christy (Shields) and the other people I worked with, that is why I loved it,” he said. “It is because of the people I work with. They are so talented. I have been fortunate to work with great people. That makes it difficult to say goodbye and move on. I will miss them, for sure.”

Kantz will be missed, Phil Dubrow, vice president and general manager said.

“He is a wonderful person who cares,” Dubrow said. “He has been an important part of WTAJ News and our success over the years. He has showcased some great stories about people in our community. He has a fantastic sense of humor. He has been a strong presence for us that delivered the news — good and bad. He did all of this with great humility. I wish K.C. all the best.”

Kantz said he hopes people remember him as a “genuine normal guy.”

“It took one day to walk in here and meet the people here and in the community,” he said. “They had my back from day one. I grew up fast because of the people around me. Central Pennsylvania has meant so much to me.”

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.