Thursday, October 16, 2008

THIS JUST IN: Jack Reynolds Passes Away

UPDATE 6:02 PM 10/16/08: WJW "FOX 8" confirms the passing of Jack Reynolds, father of "FOX 8" sports anchor Tony Rizzo, at the age of 71. Quoting the article on MyFoxCleveland.com:

Reynolds had been hospitalized for three 1/2 weeks for bypass heart surgery and then for an intestinal operation. He had weathered it all and was recovering, but he took a turn last night and died early this morning.

FOX 8 also provides details of his services:

Visitation will be Sunday, 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Ripepi Funeral Home, 5762 Pearl Road in Parma.

The funeral mass will be Monday morning at 9:30 at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 14865 East Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights.


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We don't have any details, but OMW is hearing that veteran Cleveland radio and television personality Jack Reynolds has passed away.

Jack was one of the original air staff members at the top 40 incarnation of WHK/1420 back in the 1960s, and was also heard on the old "3WE" (WWWE/1100, which is today's WTAM).

On the TV side of the ledger, many Clevelanders also remember him as the booth announcer and voice for WUAB/43, in its days as a popular independent station that "played favorites".

Many outside Cleveland knew Jack for his long-running work as a wrestling announcer with the World Wrestling Federation (today's WWE).

And still others know him as the father of popular local sportscaster Tony Rizzo, sports anchor at WJW/8 "FOX 8" and mid-morning host at WKNR/850 "ESPN 850". Reynolds has occasionally been heard calling into his son's radio show, and also took part in a recent tribute to WHK's 85th anniversary.

We'll pass along more as we hear it. For now, the only details we have are from sports handicapper Kevin O'Neill's "Real World Sports" blog here.

Our condolences to the family, to Tony Rizzo, and to Jack's friends in and out of the broadcasting business...

7 comments:

Cliff said...

I remember Jack Reynolds as the announcer on channel 43's Championship Wrestling in the 1970's, back when every region had it's own champion.

My condolences also go to his family and friends.

Anonymous said...

I am very sorry to hear this news. Mr. Reynolds was one of my favorites when I was a little boy watching 'big time wrestling' on TV.

He was classy as we was talented.

My condolences to Tony Rizzo and his family and friends.

Unknown said...

Jack Reynolds was *THE BEST* in Cleveland radio. His terrific voice and affable personality made him a radio legend. He'll be sorely missed by his fans.

Anonymous said...

I remember Jack would fill in for Pete Franklin sometimes on 3WE. One of his best lines... "No names, please. " My condolences to Tony and the entire family. He was a great one.

Anonymous said...

I remember Jack would fill in for Pete Franklin sometimes on 3WE. One of his best lines... "No names, please. " My condolences to Tony and the entire family. He was a great one.

Anonymous said...

I remember Jack would fill in for Pete Franklin sometimes on 3WE. One of his best lines... "No names, please. " My condolences to Tony and the entire family. He was a great one.

revRecluse said...

Jack was a true Legend in Cleveland in the 70's between his annoucing the NWF Wrestling show on WUAB 43 (which is where I remember him fondest) and his all-jock shift later on at 3WE.

He was a class act, and will be missed.