Obituary
David J. Spatz, 71, of Egg Harbor Township, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, January 22, 2023.
David, or as he was affectionately called by his friends, “Spatzy,” was born September 3, 1951, in Atlantic City, New Jersey to Jerry and Eileen with ink in his blood and the gift of gab.
In 1978, David was a young reporter for the Press of Atlantic City when casino gaming was passed. He became the Press’ first entertainment beat reporter as the casinos opened. He quickly used his boundless energy and his gifts of writing and talking to become a fixture in Atlantic City for the next 45 years.
David hosted and was featured on numerous national and regional television series and specials, including Merv Griffin’s New Year’s Eve Special and “Curtain Call with David Spatz.” Over 200 shows were produced and, at its’ peak, syndicated in 82 cities in North America. The show won the 2007 Emmy award with his long-time friend and business partner, Jake Glassey Jr., for best interview series in the Mid-Atlantic Region, making it the first and only program produced out of Atlantic City to win an Emmy award, something David always cherished. In 2011, David took his reporting and interviewing skills to radio and became a popular host on WOND until his passing.
David’s loyalty to his South Jersey roots ran deep in his bones. He was always available to promote the region, and actively supported the casino industry and many area charities. He made sure his show always featured Atlantic City, no matter who the guest was or where it was shot. He loved to share stories about growing up in Wildwood, raising his family in Margate, and fishing for stripers in the Cape May rips. And, of course, he was always willing to share his stories of great food, scuba diving, and conversations with his performer pals to anyone who wanted to listen.
He was predeceased by his parents, Jerome and Eileen, and brother, Kenneth L. He is survived by children, Jason (Jamie), daughter, Erica Hoffman, granddaughter, Kayleigh Eileen, sister, Elyse, sister-in-law, Carol, ex-wife and lifelong best friend, Sherry (Zelda) Hoffman, and countless nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral Services will be held at Congregation Beth Israel, 2501 Shore Road in Northfield at 11 am on Friday, January 27, 2023. The family will be receiving friends and family from 10:15 am until services. Interment to follow at the Beth Kehillah Cemetery, Egg Harbor Township. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alcove Center, 319 East Jimmie Leeds Road, Suite 205, Galloway Township, New Jersey 08205, www.thealcove.org or to the Tara Miller Melanoma Foundation, P.O. Box 3154, Margate, New Jersey 08402, www.taramillerfoundation.org.
Arrangements by J.S. Goldstein. www.jsgfunerals.com