Joe Slattery (1922-2009)

We Remember Joe Slattery

Former AFTRA National President Joe Slattery died Oct. 2 of complications suffered after open heart surgery.

The 49-year AFTRA member was known by many as the “Voice of Jewel” for announcing radio and television commercials for the Jewel Food Stores for more than 30 years. A veteran of World War II, Slattery ferried equipment to the Middle East and Africa as a pilot and served in the Air Force Reserves for 22 years. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

His break in radio came while attending Hendrix College in Arkansas as the announcer for the “Ozark Jubilee” television show. Slattery eventually moved to Chicago in 1960 to work as an announcer and news anchor on radio and TV for ABC before becoming a full-time freelance announcer. He went on to also narrate the Emmy award-winning “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” and, along with Jewel, worked for companies from Galena Territory to Meister Brau.

In addition to his service on the AFTRA National Board, he also served as the Chicago Local president from 1968 to 1977 and again from 1987 to 1988. He was AFTRA’s National President from 1976 to 1979, and was the first National President who did not come from New York or Los Angeles. He also received AFTRA’s highest honor, the Gold Card, in 1983.

Slattery was a dedicated volunteer, reading to the students at the School for the Blind in Winnetka, Ill. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Slattery, and survived by his second wife, Marilyn
Florence Daus Slattery, as well as four children, three step-children, six
grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

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