Dale Dorman, a Boston radio legend who began his career playing top 40s hits in the 1960s and 1970s, and then played the same songs as oldies to the rock 'n roll generation, died Tuesday, his family said.Dorman, 71, of Tewksbury, died at home after a long illness. A private service for family and friends was held Friday.Photos: 2014 notable deathsDorman developed a taste for radio when growing up in Homer, New York, where he used to hangout around stations near him.Spending a few years in high school learning how everything worked in the industry, he would do anything he could to get his foot in the door, our news partners at WickedLocal/Tewksbury reported.Finding a radio station that needed help right away, Dorman said “no” when was asked if he had a demo tape. He did, however, know how to work the equipment, went on the air for about 20 minutes and was hired on the spot. Forty-six years later, Dorman was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2010.Dorman came to Boston in 1968, working at WRKO for 10 years. He worked at KISS 108 for over 20 years and finished his career at WODS."Dorman is one of those jocks who made it big in the RKO chain of stations back when personality really mattered. Once the Morning Show host at WRKO in it’s top 40 heyday, Dorman also spent time doing West Coast top 40," KISS 108 wrote on its website.His nickname, "Uncle Dale" was given to him by listeners when he was just 21."He was considered a master craftsman with a gift for banter and a laser sharp wit. Yet, he made people feel that they knew him personally," his step-in daughter Denise Di Luca said.Dorman is also survived by his wife, Linda, a son, Scott, a daughter, Christina, a stepdaughter, Alissa, and their families.A public memorial service will be held at a later date, his wife said.

Dale Dorman, a Boston radio legend who began his career playing top 40s hits in the 1960s and 1970s, and then played the same songs as oldies to the rock 'n roll generation, died Tuesday, his family said.

Dorman, 71, of Tewksbury, died at home after a long illness. A private service for family and friends was held Friday.

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Photos: 2014 notable deaths

Dorman developed a taste for radio when growing up in Homer, New York, where he used to hangout around stations near him.

Spending a few years in high school learning how everything worked in the industry, he would do anything he could to get his foot in the door, our news partners at WickedLocal/Tewksbury reported.

Finding a radio station that needed help right away, Dorman said “no” when was asked if he had a demo tape. He did, however, know how to work the equipment, went on the air for about 20 minutes and was hired on the spot. Forty-six years later, Dorman was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2010.

Dorman came to Boston in 1968, working at WRKO for 10 years. He worked at KISS 108 for over 20 years and finished his career at WODS.

"Dorman is one of those jocks who made it big in the RKO chain of stations back when personality really mattered. Once the Morning Show host at WRKO in it’s top 40 heyday, Dorman also spent time doing West Coast top 40," KISS 108 wrote on its website.

His nickname, "Uncle Dale" was given to him by listeners when he was just 21.

"He was considered a master craftsman with a gift for banter and a laser sharp wit. Yet, he made people feel that they knew him personally," his step-in daughter Denise Di Luca said.

Dorman is also survived by his wife, Linda, a son, Scott, a daughter, Christina, a stepdaughter, Alissa, and their families.

A public memorial service will be held at a later date, his wife said.