SYRACUSE — Longtime WNDR personality John “Happy Jack” McNamee has died. According to family members, McNamee, who spent roughly 25 years on-air at the station, died on Sunday at the age of 83. Calling hours are set for Thursday evening. Updated 7/21 with link to obituary.
McNamee, courtesy Eaton-Tubbs-Schepp Funeral Home
According to the Syracuse Post-Standard, the visitation will be from 6-8pm at the Eaton-Tubbs-Schepp Funeral Home on East Genesee Street (Route 5) in Fayetteville. McNamee’s funeral mass will take place at 10:30am Friday, at St. Mary’s Church in Minoa.
The paper says McNamee joined 1260 WNDR’s “Good Guys” lineup in 1966. He stayed on-air until 1991, when he shifted his focus, working in sales “at several stations.”
During his time as a personality for WNDR, McNamee had the honor of emceeing concert appearances from several big-name performers including Elvis Presley and the Jackson 5.
Added July 21:
McNamee’s obituary was published in today’s Post-Standard.
A more-detailed version appears on the Eaton-Tubbs-Schepp Funeral Home website.
So sorry to hear the news of Jack’s death. I had the pleasure of working with Jack for many years, and he was a great guy to be around. When I was in high school, Jack was a popular DJ on WPTR in Albany, and I learned a great deal about radio from him when he joined us at WNDR. My prayers are with him and his family. RIP Jack.