Jack keil
When his father was sick and in Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, leading up to his death, he'd surprise the nurses with his McGruff voice. "He was not shy about using that voice," Nick said. The McGruff voice was a variation of Jack's real voice, maybe a little gruffer. Nick said his father was something of a local celebrity, having performed at Main Street Arts in Saxtons River a number of times.
Jack keil full#
At 21, Nick was already living in Vermont when his parents decided to move there full time. Jack had a second home in Westminster West but he and his wife Barbra were, "creatures of New York City," Nick said.
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And beyond the glitter and glam of Jack's ever persisting character, Nick said, was a deep passion for social justice, a need to give back, a love of hard work and strong self assurance. Nick saw a different side to his father, though the side that was, "wise," and a side that could be stern, almost like McGruff himself. His love of entertainment and his wackiness. That, he said, was the theme during Jack's memorial service. "Keil's life is a long-running performance," noted a 1988 Smithsonian feature on him. It was only natural that Jack would become the voice of McGruff. Jack took a cue from the Smokey the Bear campaign by creating an animal mascot. In 1977, the National Crime Prevention Association approached Jack about an ad campaign that would create awareness about crime. He helped come up with the "cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs" slogan.
![jack keil jack keil](https://oh-ins.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Jack-Kehl-200x300.jpg)
Instead he wound up at an advertising agency, responsible for creating slogans and ads for Toyota and Life Savers. Jack went to New York City looking to become an actor.
![jack keil jack keil](https://doyouremember.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Busch-is-offering-free-beer-to-people-who-adopt-or-foster-a-dog.jpg)
His son, Nick Keil, who also lives in Westminster West, reflected on who his father was and what he contributed to the world.