Obituaries : Jack Mass; Music Publisher

Music publisher Jack Mass of North Hollywood has died at a Sherman Oaks convalescent hospital at the age of 79.

Mass died Monday of complications of his age, said his son, Joe Seth Mass of Sherman Oaks.

Born in New York City, Jack Mass came to California as a child and graduated from Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. During World War II, he served as a music librarian in the 1st Motion Picture Division of the Army Air Force, with then-Capt. Ronald Reagan.

During his 54-year career as a music publisher, Mass formed publishing companies for Bing Crosby and David Rose, and was one of the founders of Frank Sinatra’s original publishing company.

He also worked for Warner Bros. Studios Music, Sinatra Music Publishing Co. and David Rose Publishing Co., in addition to being responsible for Rick Nelson’s original recording contract with Imperial Records, his family said.

Mass continued to work as a consultant in the music industry until the time of his death.

In addition to his son, Mass is survived by his sister, Cece Ross of North Hollywood.

A funeral, with burial to follow, is scheduled at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Hillside Memorial Park, 6001 Centinela Ave., Culver City.

Glasband-Willen Mortuary in North Hollywood is handling the arrangements.