The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

Ray McCloy

Raymond J. McCloy, former WFIL Radio's Chief Engineer passed away on Thursday, August 2, 2007 at the age of 86. He was a lifelong resident of Haddonfield, New Jersey.

McCloy served in the United States Navy during the second World War as an Aviation Machinist's Mate, 1st Class. He was a radio engineer at WFIL in Philadelphia, and worked with Dick Clark, Phil Sheridan and the WFIL Boss Jocks. He retired as Chief Engineer after 38 years of service to the station.. He was also a founding father of the West Jersey Radio Control Model Airplane Club, and served as mentor and instructor to many individual members.

Broadcast Pioneers member Mel Klawansky reports that Ray had a stroke in February of 2007. Mel said:

I first worked for Ray in 1974. I was 24 years old. I'm 55, now. To this day, he remains the best boss I ever had. I have and will continue to think of him often.

Former Boss Jock Jim Nettleton, a member of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia e-mailed us:

I can't tell you how saddened I am by that news. Ray was my first board op in 1966 when we all first came to WFIL. He was a gentleman whose sunny disposition and technical excellence were a major contribution to the birth and development of Boss Radio.

Although he was the oldest of the board operators, his performance was second to none. He readily embraced new methods that those young and sometimes cocky jocks brought to town and mastered them completely. If you were having a down day, he never failed to cheer you up, boost your psyche and help you perform better.

Ray was a good man and a good friend. I wish we'd kept in closer touch over the years. I'll miss him greatly. He was one of those people who embodied the heart and soul of WFIL.

Former WFIL Boss Jock Joel Denver e-mailed: "Thanks Jim and Mel. Ray was a truly fine guy."

FYI - Here's a picture of Ray from a November 1989 WFIL Reunion and is from our archives. It has been on our website for several years now. See the photo!

The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com