Longtime radio host Jack Mindy has passed away at the age of 79 in his home near Rochester, NY. Jack had a stellar 50 plus year radio career that spanned the country from Syracuse to San Francisco and included gigs at WYSL, WGR, WBEN and finally Jazz90.1 before his retirement. .
During the 60’s while working at WTRX in Flint, Michigan he famously did a live remote show from a gas station, sitting 20 feet in the air on top of the price sign while the radio station provided refreshments.
The Buffalo native started his career in 1957 while still in high school. Mindy’s father was on WEBR radio in the 1930’s and Jack donated some of his antique mics to the Buffalo Broadcasters.
Mindy also co-founded Companion Radio – a satellite fed radio service for nursing homes and senior living facilities nationwide.
We will all miss Jack very much, and offer our condolences to his family and friends.
Station Manager Rob Linton Remembers Jack Mindy
This last week, I have gone through the many emotions that we all do when we lose someone close to us. I have experienced extreme sadness, anger, and confusion. I find myself asking why. Why did the world have to lose Jack Mindy?
We’ve had a hard year here. We’ve lost our friends and hosts Paul Conley and George Hoffmann – and now, Jack.
I have spent a lot of time reflecting on the almost 18 years that I have known Jack. I remember like it was yesterday meeting him for the first time. It was late 2004. I was 24 years old, and was called to interview for the Station Manager position at Jazz90.1. I was a young pup who was full of energy and excitement as I arrived at what once was Greece Apollo Middle School for my interview in front of a rather intimidating hiring committee that Jack was a part of.
After the interview, Jack volunteered to walk me to the elevator. I remember his smile. That laugh, and the warmness that he displayed. We shot the breeze about our time at 1180 WHAM, and stories of working at Radio Shack. After a few minutes, I went on my way.
I didn’t really know who he was, but I would later learn that at one time – Jack Mindy was one of the most popular disc jockey’s in the country, and he would end up working for me as my assistant and Operations Manager after I accepted the position of GM of WGMC-FM.
After I began at the helm of Jazz90.1, Jack and I had an adjustment period. He had to learn how to work for a 24-year-old kid, and I had to learn how to sit back, watch and learn from a pro. After a few months, it was as if Jack and I had known each other for years. We found our groove, and immediately got to work for this amazing station.
Jack quickly turned into almost a father figure to me. He was my mentor. I looked up to him.
I would love listening to his stories, his advice – and perhaps my favorite – listening to his fun demeanor on the air. Not everyone appreciated Jack’s on air style – but I didn’t care. He was the last of the real “top jocks,” and we had him here at Jazz90.1.
We worked hard together for Jazz90.1 – often times facing crisis after crisis together. We’d talk to each other sometimes at 4 a.m. in the morning to handle an issue. We’d talk while we each were on vacation and discuss how best to handle the latest technical problem.
We worked so well together and had so many laughs.
After his retirement, we stayed in touch. Jack would come to our annual Christmas parties, and I would swear that he never aged. His energy, huge smile and amazing personality continued to shine – and it seemed that he truly was living the “retired dream.”
He’d travel by train across country each year, and he loved to tell us stories about his adventures with car repairs, model trains and tinkering with various projects at his house. He called me during my show just two weeks before his passing to say hello. He called our hosts often to tell us how much we loved what we were playing.
When I went on the air each day – in the back of my mind – I knew that Jack was listening. I knew I had to be on the top of my game. I wanted Jack to be proud of me.
I wish I knew then that it would be the last time I’d talk to him.
On the day that we learned about his passing – I didn’t believe it. I was in shock. I thought it was some horribly incorrect social media rumor, and that he’d call with that laugh in his voice and say, “I’m still here!”
It couldn’t be true. There was no way that our great buddy Jack was gone.
I decided to drive to his house on that gray Wednesday. I thought maybe – just maybe – I’d pull in the driveway and he’d be in the garage working on one of his prized cars. Maybe he’d be playing with his model trains that were positioned all around his house.
I knocked on the door – hoping he’d answer.
He didn’t.
We’d later learn that he passed within a few days of being admitted to the hospital. He didn’t tell anyone that he was sick. He didn’t want anyone to pity him, or to worry.
I want the world to know what a special person Jack Mindy was. He made a difference in my life, and he bettered the lives for literally hundreds of thousands – if not millions of people during his 50-year career on the radio.
I will miss you, Jack.
Don’t worry – we’ll take it from here.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Here is an article written by The Democrat and Chronicle in 2009 when Jack retired from radio – and Jazz90.1.
