Longtime San Diego radio host Jerry Cesak from ‘Jeff & Jer Showgram' dies

A familiar voice for many longtime San Diegans has died.

Beloved San Diego radio host Jerry Cesak, best known as “Jer” from the popular “Jeff & Jer Showgram,” passed away at the age of 74 on Sunday, it was announced on social media Wednesday afternoon.

Cesak was born in Maryland and graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in theater before breaking into the radio broadcasting industry. His career took him to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Minneapolis and Detroit, where he met his radio co-host, Jeff Detrow.

The “Jeff & Jer Showgram” was on the air in San Diego for 27 years, starting in 1988. They were involved in several memorable events over the years, from charity concerts to benefit a sanctuary for survivors of domestic violence to the “Whirl till You Hurl” contest at Belmont Park.

The radio icon retired from broadcasting in 2015. A year later, he and Detrow were inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.

Cesak also had a passion for animal welfare, serving on the boards of the Humane Society of the United States and the Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

He is survived by his wife, Pam, and his animals Winston, Gigi, Savanah and Isabella.