Ross Gentile
Ross Kenton Gentile was born on June 3, 1952, in East St. Louis, Ill., and died on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Ill.
Mr. Gentile began his career as a radio broadcaster at WIBV in Belleville, Ill., in 1967, at the age of 15, under Jim Bolen. He continued his career at KSHE-95 in St. Louis, Mo., and also served in the Illinois Army Reserves.
In 1974, he became the midwest regional promotions director for A & M Records in Los Angeles, Calif., where he earned numerous gold and platinum records and was responsible for the signing of the rock group Head East to a long term recording contract with A & M.
He promoted and remained personal friends with artist such as Beatle George Harrison, Peter Frampton, the Carpenters and music greats: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald and many others.
He worked at the "jazz station" WSIE, hosting his daily radio show "Standards in Jazz" until 2009, when he retired from his passion and love of radio due to failing health and kidney disease. Currently he hosted an hour long radio show "A Touch of Velvet" on 1430 KZQZ, in Belleville, Ill.
Ross was preceded in death by his parents, Betty Jean, nee Botkin, Zdroik and Sam Gentile.
Surviving are his sister, Dianne (Joe) Turek of Collinsville, Ill.; niece, Heather (Dr. James) Koch of Columbia, Mo.; great-nephew, John Joseph Koch; many loving family members, friends and radio fans.
Memorials may be made to the family. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.sunsethillcemetery.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, at Sunset Hill Funeral Home, Glen Carbon, Ill.
Funeral: Services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, at Sunset Hill Funeral Home in Glen Carbon, Ill. A memorial concert for Ross is being planned for a date in April.
SUNSET HILL FUNERAL HOME, Glen Carbon, Ill.
Published in Belleville News-Democrat on February 26, 2013
