John "Jack" McDermott
Author name
January 9, 1927 - June 7, 2024
Jack is a well-known local radio / tv personality, having spent 30 years in broadcasting, including radio station WKAT in Miami and before that, radio station WORL in Boston. He also hosted the ‘all night movies’ in the sixties on WPLG channel 10 in Miami.
In 2012, he hosted two shows on Baltimore net radio worldwide, one with the legendary singer Connie Francis, the other show was “The Sinatra legend”.
After graduating from college in the early fifties, he decided to go into radio. He was the first disc jockey in Boston to play rhythm and blues records, which later became known as rock ‘n roll. He co-wrote and produced a record by G-Cleff called “Ka Ding Dong’, which became a national hit at number 25 on the billboard charts.
Jack did many record hops in New England, where recording artists would come by to lip-sinc their record for the teenagers, that’s when he and his wife Beverly met a young Connie Francis, they have been dear friends since then. At one sock dance they discovered a local performer, and liked the song he wrote and performed. They had him record a demo and sent it to Dick Clark’s publishers. Dick liked it and changed the title to “Tallahassee Lassie” and it became a million seller. His name was Freddie Cannon, and Beverly and Jack became his managers.
In 1957, Jack married Beverly, she was a championship barrel racer in the World Championship Rodeo in Madison Square Garden, where they had their honeymoon. At the same time, Jack was selected by NBC TV to host a bandstand type show like Dick Clark’s but weeks later was cancelled when Dick went national on ABC TV.
After moving to Hollywood, Florida in 1960, Jack went to work in radio and Beverly became one of the top casting directors in the country, casting movies like “Cocoon” which she was nominated for an Artios award for her casting of the movie. Beverly had cast over 200 movies and tv shows, some of which Jack appeared in as an actor.
Jack has had speaking roles in over 15 movies including “Cocoon”, “Airport 77” with Jimmy Stewart. “Final Countdown” with Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen, “Absence of Malice” with Sally Field and Paul Newman and a feature role in "Funhouse".
In 1989, he and Beverly produced the very successful come back concert of their close friend Connie Francis at the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Florida. Connie had been away from the stage for six or seven years. From then on she did concerts all over the world. In the sixties, they were involved with promoting Judy Garland concerts at Miami Beach Convention Center following her Carnegie Hall concerts.
Jack co-produced the first “Miami Dolphin” team song in the 1970s.
He also spent 15 years working with the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
He always closed his radio show with what Beverly had picked for him which was – “It’s nice to be important, but more important to be nice, put the coffee on Bev, I’ll be right home”. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts and after graduating from Swampscott High School, joined the US Navy. After being honorably discharged, he attended Bryant College in Providence, Rhode Island, graduating with a BS/BA degree. He is survived by son Richard McDermott of Charlotte, NC, sisters Rita Doherty and Pat Bisenti of MA, grandchildren Sean Cunningham, Erik McDermott and Shane McDermott and great grandchildren Connor, Colton, Donovan and Aria. Jack is pre-deceased by his beloved wife Beverly and daughter Cheryl Bloise. Memorial Gathering will be Sunday, July 7 th , 2:00pm - 5:00pm with at Celebration of Life service at 3:00pm all at Landmark Funeral Home. Inurnment with Military Honors will be Monday, July 8 th , 12:30pm at South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL.
He always closed his radio show with what Beverly had picked for him which was – “It’s nice to be important, but more important to be nice, put the coffee on Bev, I’ll be right home”. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts and after graduating from Swampscott High School, joined the US Navy. After being honorably discharged, he attended Bryant College in Providence, Rhode Island, graduating with a BS/BA degree. He is survived by son Richard McDermott of Charlotte, NC, sisters Rita Doherty and Pat Bisenti of MA, grandchildren Sean Cunningham, Erik McDermott and Shane McDermott and great grandchildren Connor, Colton, Donovan and Aria. Jack is pre-deceased by his beloved wife Beverly and daughter Cheryl Bloise. Memorial Gathering will be Sunday, July 7 th , 2:00pm - 5:00pm with at Celebration of Life service at 3:00pm all at Landmark Funeral Home. Inurnment with Military Honors will be Monday, July 8 th , 12:30pm at South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL.
September 20, 1931 - May 17, 2025
SUNRISE OF LIFE 2/11/1952 SUNSET 7/7/2025
January 3, 1934 - January 5, 2025
June 23, 1946 - July 10, 2025
April 1, 1942 - June 30, 2025
Joan Lee Scheidell, 85, of Hollywood passed away June 13, 2025. Survived by sons Mark (Jeanne) Kovacs and Michael (Maria) Kovacs; daughters Suzanne (Joe) Domenech and Denise (Jim) Ordonez; 9 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Services will be private.
Martha Clementi, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend to many, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 23, 2025, at the age of 97 in Hollywood, FL.
David James Bushing, born November 18, 1968, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2025 at the age of 56 after a nearly three year battle with brain cancer.
Kathleen Sylvester, 82, of Coral Springs, FL. passed away on June 18, 2025.
An honoring of her life will take place at Landmark Funeral Home in Hollywood, Florida on June 29, 2025 between 1:00-3:00 pm.
David Octavio Lopez-Diaz, affectionately known as “Tavito” or simply “David,” passed away in Hollywood, Florida. He was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, and carried the bold, vibrant spirit of his homeland throughout his life.
