Age 94
WESTMINSTER, Vt. (AP) — John "Jack" Keil, the advertising executive who led the team that created McGruff the Crime Dog and who voiced the character, has died.
Keil died Aug. 25 at home in Westminster West, Vermont, his family said. He was 94.
Keil was creative director at Dancer Fitzgerald Sample advertising agency when he and his team created the trench coat-wearing animated dog, with Keil himself saying the slogan "Take a Bite Out of Crime."
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McGruff, the National Crime Prevention Council's mascot, first appeared in public service announcements in 1980. Since his creation, the raspy-voiced dog has appeared in newspapers and on radio, television and the internet.
In the mid-1980s, the character was urging people to join neighborhood watch groups and to clean up streets and parks to dissuade criminals, the council said. Today it's used in a variety of campaigns to support safety and crime prevention.
"He was one of the giants in the advertising industry and shared his talents in support of crime prevention," the council said in an emailed statement.
Keil was involved in other high profile ad campaigns and also wrote two books on creativity.
His son said his father never had formal training. He majored in economics in college.
"But he was a guy that wanted to be an actor so he kind of channeled that sense of drama and being the ultimate extrovert into everything he did. It was back at a time when you know that got you a fair distance," said Nick Keil.
He was born in Rochester, New York, and attended the University of Rochester until he enlisted in the Air Force during World War II. He flew 50 missions over Europe as a bombardier and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, his family said. Afterward, he graduated from the university in 1944.
During his advertising career, he and his wife lived in Grand-View-On-Hudson, New York, for 58 years. They moved to Vermont in 2006, where they had owned property for many years.
In recent years, Keil, a lifelong performer and lover of jazz, enjoyed guest appearances singing with the Brattleboro-area Butterfly Swing Band.
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McGruff was my absolute favorite as a child! I never knew the originator of the wonderful Crime Dog.
To the family,
I send you my deepest condolences. Psalms 55:22 tells us to throw our anxieties on the True God and he will sustain you. May comfort in his promises bring you relief.
MA
November 25, 2017
I am very sorry for the loss of your father. My children loved McGruff. Continue to have confidence in the resurrection hope at Acts24:15.
Karen
October 25, 2017
I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved one. He will always be remembered for the his slogan, Take a bite out of crime. I hope you find comfort and help in God during this time of mourning.
M C
October 02, 2017 | Bear, DE
To John Keil family and friends. The God who gives comfort and peace be with the family in these difficult times.
September 13, 2017
Matthew McGuire
September 12, 2017 | Cheshire, CT
May the wonderful memories the family and friends share of Jack bring comfort during this time of loss. Proverbs 17:17
Chianti
September 10, 2017 | FL
We are our Brother's keeper
That's what I thought when I saw his commercials
We pray for his family and we pray with his family
May his family and friends feel the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father
As we all wait until the time when death and pain will be no more
P
September 09, 2017 | Lithonia, GA
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
September 09, 2017 | OH
So sorry for your loss. He did a great job as Gruff and helped a lot of people along the way. You're in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Kay Reckord Ames
September 08, 2017 | Eureka, CA