A special gathering was held to remember an old pal in Hell’s Kitchen who passed away.
“Sailor” Jack Ertl was the owner of Rudy’s Bar and Grill for more than 30 years.
Jack Ertl blended in with the customers he loved to serve.
“Jack knew me my entire life and was the grandfather I never had,” one man said.
Jack traveled the world, but his home for 78 years was Rudy’s Bar on 9th Avenue.
It was known for its Baron von Swine statue and free hot dogs with each drink.
“Whether a person has three dollars in their pocket or they’re a multi-millionaire – Rudy’s is the place for you,” said Nils Hagstrom, manager of Rudy’s Bar and Grill.
The bar’s owner for the past few decades had his first drink there at 17.
“Sailor Jack” became what he was known as.
He went on to the merchant marines and then to be the chief engineer at Exxon before buying Rudy’s and deciding not to change the name.
“He said, ‘Dan, I don’t want the bar to be about me. I want the bar to be about the people who are drinking there,'” said longtime friend Danny DePamphilis.