WESTFIELD – Alan D. McAlary, 74, a Western MA radio broadcaster whose career spanned half a century, died at his home in Westfield on July 11, 2012.
Mr. McAlary was a disc jockey who, from 1958 to 2008,worked under the aliases Cousin Cal and Cal McLain for radio stations WDEW (now WNNZ) in Westfield, WMAS and WHYN in Springfield, WREB in Holyoke, and WACE in Chicopee, from which he retired. Mr. McAlary’s specialty was country music,inspired by his idol, Hank Williams, Sr., and he aired one of the area’s earliest programs in this genre over WDEW in 1958. In his later years, Mr. McAlary became an antique auto hobbyist, collecting and restoring three vintage 1930’s and ‘40s cars.
He leaves two sons, David and Andrew of Springfield; stepchildren Donna Perry of Plymouth, Bruce Bailey of Utica, NY, and Carol Bradley of Turners Falls; sister Barbara Kashar of Plymouth; brother David of Falls Church, VA; and five grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be at Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street, Westfield on Friday July 20th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. The funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday July 21st at the funeral home, followed by burial in Pine Hill cemetery.
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