Jim Roselle

(1926-2016)

Roselle would have turned 100 today.  He was a local broadcasting legend.

Roselle started working at WJTN in 1953 and was in his 61st year at the station when he passed.  He spent 41 summers broadcasting daily from Chautauqua Insititution.  He hosted many shows during his time with the station from 9 to noon.  He also shared the microphone with his good friend, Russ Diethrick on "The Times of Your Life" program broadcast on Saturdays.

In 2010, Roselle was inducted into New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.

WJTN news director, Terry Frank spent more than three decades working with Roselle.

"He was very much part of the Jamestown fabric.  He spoke Jamestown.  He talked about Jamestown.  He was an ambassador for Jamestown .. not just around here and New York State, but he went to Russia as part of the Chautauqua exchanges and other programs.  He was just an amazing guy.  Someone you model yourself after.  You try to be as upbeat, as personable and as professional as possible and that was the epitome of Jim Roselle.

 I think Jim also epitomized hard work.  He seldom, if ever, went into an interview unarmed.  He had read the book the person had written.  He read stories about what they had said and what they had done.  If there was a controversy with the person, be it a presidential candidate or someone involved with the administration or someone involved in foreign policy, he knew what the issues were.  He did the due diligence required for a good interview. But he also had a way of disarming the person he was talking to and that really helped him to get people to open up and respond so when he asked a tough questions, they were more willing to answer it."

Terry Frank

One of the many career highlights for Roselle was broadcasting at Chautauqua Institution every summer since 1974 where he interviewed hundreds of national and internationally recognized individuals from his broadcast location at Bestor Plaza.  Roselle always knew the right questions to ask which was a testament to his skills as an interviewer.

In addition to his hall of fame career as a broadcaster, Roselle was also active in the community. He had been a member of the Board of Directors for the Lucille Ball Little Theatre for over 30 years; the Jamestown Boys and Girls Club for more than 25 years and the James Prendergast Library.  He also had been the chairman for many community events such as the annual Easter Egg hunt in Allen Park with his on-air pal, Russ Diethrick and the Easter bunny.   In 2016, the Easter Egg Hunt was dedicated to Roselle. 

Russ Diethrick, Jim Roselle and Mayor Sam Teresi 

Being an avid reader, Jim spent many hours at the Prendergast Libary and would often be heard to ask the question .. "What's in your wallet?"  The appropriate answer he always wanted to hear was ..  "my library card".