Veteran Radio DJ Jack Ellsworth Passes Away

John Mitty Sunday, September 15, 2013

Jack Ellsworth was one of the best known radio personalities on Long Island.  He spent more than half a century broadcasting over the local airwaves, and helped to keep big band music on the air long after its heyday.  “This music needs to be on the air,” he once stated.  “This is the prime quality American music.  Sinatra and Glenn Miller are the most civilized artists of all time.”  He also said, “And in all my years in radio, I always picked my own music.  There aren’t very many hosts who can say that.  I know how lucky I am.”  Ellsworth had the privilege of meeting many of the artists who inspired him, including Frank Sinatra, who wished him a happy 75^th birthday in 1997.

Ellsworth passed way at Brookhaven Memorial Medical Center from renal failure at age 91 on Thursday.  He followed his wife Dorothy, who passed away just eight weeks before.  In a world where radio shows are increasingly formula-driven and very few DJs can still apply their own artistry to their programs, Ellsworth will be a great loss to Long Island and the world.  Visitation is being held today from noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. at the Robertaccio Funeral Home in Patchogue. 

 

jmitty@longislandyellowpages.com

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