Report: “Happy Jack” McNamee Dies at 83

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

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.

1 comment to Report: “Happy Jack” McNamee Dies at 83

  • Dave Laird
    July 21, 2010 at 10:23 am |

    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.

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