Jack O'Neill, 58; sports broadcaster in Western Mass.

SPRINGFIELD -- Jack O'Neill, best known as the on-air voice that called University of Massachusetts games, has died after battling cancer.

Mr. O'Neill, 58, died last Friday at Baystate Medical Center.

A familiar voice throughout Western Massachusetts, Mr. O'Neill got his start in broadcasting for radio stations in Connecticut and Springfield. He soon switched to television, and worked for WHYN -- which later became WGGB -- from 1968 to 1981.

He then moved back to radio, hosting a sports talk show on WHYN radio in Springfield. He worked for several other Springfield-area radio stations and most recently was on the air at WMAS, where he hosted a golf talk show.

He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1966 and pursued his interest in sports broadcasting at Emerson College.

Along with calling football, basketball, and hockey games for UMass, Mr. O'Neill was the announcer of Holyoke's Saint Patrick's Day parade.

He also served as public address announcer at UMass for several basketball seasons.

"The Jack you heard on the radio and saw on TV every night was the same Jack you saw in real life," said WHYN news director John Baibak. "Always prepared, smooth, and generous to everyone."

Mr. O'Neill leaves his wife, three children, and his mother.