“Jack” Bevelaqua displays a “Banned in Groveland” banner at WHAV after Groveland ordered the station pulled from the town cable television channel in 2009. (WHAV News photograph.)
A WHAV legend, former “Open Mike Show” host John P. “Jack” Bevelaqua died this past Wednesday at age 72.
Bevelaqua was known for many things, including serving as an aide to former state Sen. Sharon M. Pollard, longtime project manager at the state Department of Energy Resources and a 34-year member of Groveland’s Board of Health. He may have been best known, however, for his two stints as provocative host of WHAV’s “Open Mike Show.”
Haverhill-born Bevelaqua first came to WHAV in 1990 after the station searched for a host to revive the popular “Open Mike Show” after the show languished in the years following the retirement of William “Bill” Pike. Bevelaqua guided the show until the AM radio station was sold in 1995. He agreed to revive the show in 2008—four years after WHAV returned to Haverhill.
“No feelings will be spared and no topics off limits,” Bevelaqua declared on his return.
He was true to his word when he was critical of Groveland’s approval of septic systems near Haverhill’s Johnson Pond water supply. Groveland officials went on to ban WHAV’s audio on the town’s cable television station after WHAV refused to honor the town’s request to pull the Open Mike Show from its schedule. Town officials defended their action saying, Bevelaqua said “lots of unflattering things” about the town.
Bevelaqua was one of only a few WHAV personalities who bridged the gap between the former AM 1490 version of WHAV and what would become today’s 97.9 WHAV.
WHAV plans to air audio excerpts Monday from the talkmaster’s run as host of the “Open Mike Show.”
Calling hours take place Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 4-7 p.m., followed by a funeral home chapel service at 7, at Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill.
Bevelaqua’s full obituary appears here.