Syracuse, NY – John “Happy Jack” McNamee, an iconic disc jockey during the golden age of Syracuse AM radio, died Sunday at age 83, family members said. Born in Gloversville, McNamee studied broadcasting in New York City and worked in New York before arriving at 1260 WNDR in 1966 to join its “Good Guys” lineup, according to family members. There...
Syracuse, NY – John “Happy Jack” McNamee, an iconic disc jockey during the golden age of Syracuse AM radio, died Sunday at age 83, family members said.
Born in Gloversville, McNamee studied broadcasting in New York City and worked in New York before arriving at 1260 WNDR in 1966 to join its “Good Guys” lineup, according to family members.
There he worked alongside personalities such as “Dandy” Dan Leonard, “Big” George Plavocos, Bud Ballou, Rick Wright and Dave Laird and served as master of ceremonies for concerts featuring Elvis Presley, Sonny and Cher and the Jackson 5.
McNamee left the station’s broadcast booth in 1991 to go into sales at several stations.
He is survived by his second wife, Patti; sons John Jr. (Euro), of Manlius and James (Mary), of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; daughters Karen (Tom) Goode, of Manlius and Kathy (Kevin) La Grow, of Skaneateles; and 12 grandchildren.
Calling hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Eaton-Tubbs-Schepp Funeral Home, 7191 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Friday in St. Mary's Church, 401 N. Main St., Minoa.