Boston (WBZ Newsroom)  -- One of Boston's most popular radio hosts for over three decades has died. 

Jess Cain passed away Thursday morning in Boston. He was 81.  (Above Photo: Boston Public Library, 1969).

Cain was born in Philadelphia and a love of acting took hold in college. In fact, he left school about a month before graduation to be in a show. He'd eventually appear on Broadway, and in a number of shows with the North Shore Music Theater. 

Cain was hired at Channel 5 (WHDH-TV at the time), to host a movie program. But their movie library was small, so they made him host of the morning radio program. 

Cain wrote and recorded the tune for "the impossible dream" album, during the Red Sox magical 1967 season, when outfielder Carl Yaztremski won the Triple Crown and the team went to the World Series. On his last show, Yaztremski called the song one of the highlights of his career. 

A memorial service for Jess Cain will be held on Saturday, February 23. Originally open to the public, space limitations have forced the family to make it a private event. Cards and condolences can be sent to: The Cain Family  c/o 54 Bluff Road North Weymouth, MA 02191. A more public memorial has now been tentatively scheduled for mid-June.

After 33 years on WHDH radio, Cain retired in 1991. During his years in retirement, Cain was known to indulge his love of radio by performing at Massasoit Community College's old time radio show. 

Cain died at his home on Beacon Hill early Thursday morning after a long illness.

Cain was diagnosed with prostate cancer 13 years ago, but remained in good health until last spring. He is survived by his wife, Jean, four children, three grandchildren and two sisters.


At right, Cain joined former collegeaues of the old WHDH radio at a reunion in April 2006. (front row, l-r:  Nick Mills, former news anchor and current BU journalism professor,  John "Pudge" Flynn, Jess' engineer,  Jess Cain. (back row l-r: Dan Davis, sports anchor,  Rod Fritz, news anchor,  Peter Casey, Charlayne Murrell-Smith, public affairs director, and Anne Marie Aigner, news anchor.