Clark County NV Archives Obituaries.....McIlvaine, Red January 11, 1993 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nv/nvfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Gerry Perry missgerry@cox.net July 3, 2013, 2:00 am Las Vegas Review Journal 1/13/1993 RED MC ILVAINE DIES OF CANCER The radio-TV personality loses a two year battle after entertaining Vegans for more than 30 years. Red McIlvaine, a media personality who entertained Las Vegans for nearly 30 years, died Monday after an almost two-year battle with cancer. He was 64. McIlvaine was eulogized Tuesday as being a talented, witty and compassionate man who became a household name when he hosted a morning radio show that dominated the Southern Nevada airwaves in the 1960s. McIlvaine, who began his career as a 16-year-old radio announcer in Wilkes- Barre, Pa., in recent years was a twice-a-week columnist with the Las Vegas Sun. He earlier was a television show host, news anchor and casino publicist. The Trenton, N.J. native died at the Nathan Adelson Hospice five months after 400 entertainers, celebrities, politicians, gaming executives, journalists and other friends attended a "Salute to Red" at the Stardust Hotel. In his last year, McIlvaine shared with his friends and column readers his battle with brain and lung cancer. He joked in a February 1992 column about undergoing to much chemotherapy and radiation that "on very dark nights I glow." He also said "the greatest gift is the ability to cherish our days - one day at a time." Entertainer and Las Vegan Phyllis McGuire on Tuesday remembered meeting McIlvaine in the early 1960s and quickly forming an admiration and friendship that lasted through the years. "It was an instant liking. He was a great person," she said. "It (his death) is a great loss to this community," said the member of the famed McGuire Sisters. "He contributed to much, he was always fair, generous with his time and abilities." Joe Delaney, a fellow Sun columnist, said McIlvaine waws always available to host a charity telethon, banquet or other events. McIlvaine made a tradition of serving holiday dinners to the homeless and disadvantaged at St. Vincent Plaza dining room. "Red was a professional and he had what may have been the best commercial radio voice we've ever had in this town," said Delaney, who described his longtime friend's on-air voice as "homey and folksy." McIlvaine used his golden voice, wit, humor and talent to produce a radio show that was so popular Las Vegas probably will never see its match, Delaney said. Jim Seagrave, the Stardust's vice president of marketing and advertising, said McIlvaine arrived in Las Vegas in the early 1960s and quickly became a hit. "He unquestionably was the most popular broadcast personality to ever work in Las Vegas," said Seagrave, who organized the August, 1992 tribute to his friend. McIlvaine used the timing and humor he developed in years of stage work to liven up the radio show, Seagrave said. "Red had the soul of a comedian, he knew what was funny." said comedian Shecky Greene, another of McIlvaine's friends. After getting his radio start at WHLK in the eastern Pennsylvania coal mining town of Wilkes-Barre, McIlvaine returned to his hometown in Trenton, where he met radio man Ernie Kovacs. Kovacs, who went on to become a renowned comedian and television star, encouraged McIlvaine to audition for band leader Horace Heidt's network radio program. He got the job, and at the age 17, McIlvaine became the youngest announcer on network radio. He spent six years touring the world with Heidt. McIlvaine then joined the U.S. Air Force and performed in Special Services shows before returning to radio after being discharged. After radio stints in Phoenix and Los Angeles, he came to Las Vegas. McIlvaine is survived by his wife, Carrie; two daughters, Haley and Amanda; and a son, Ryan, all of Las Vegas. Also surviving are a sister, Marianne McIlvaine of Trenton, and a brother, William McIlvaine of Alexander, N.C. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Greenbrier LDS Ward Chapel. Viewing will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. The family asks donations be made to the McIlvaine Children's Trust, account 120258298 at the Bank of America. Additional Comments: The information provided for publication was provided by an outside source and is not proven to be correct File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nv/clark/obits/mcilvain2201gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/nvfiles/ File size: 4.7 Kb