Embedded Files
1923 - November 8, 2020
Howie Meeker (Leah) PARKSVILLE - Howie started his media career in 1957 as a Sports Announcer at CJON-AM, St. Johns, NFLD. The following year he was named Sports Director for radio-TV and newspaper. In 1969 Howie started in Montreal with Danny Gallivan and Dick Irwin on Hockey Night In Canada. This evolved into a 25-week plus playoff schedule for CBC's Hockey Night. In 1974 he won the Gordon Sinclair Award. 1977 saw the beginning of his Colour Analyst career with the Vancouver Canucks. In 1998 Howie was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Broadcast category as winner of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award. In 2011, Howie received the Order of Canada Award.
1936 - March 21, 2020
Jim Shuttleworth QUALICUM BEACH - Jim's 45-year love affair with the news business started when he was 17, covering sports in his home town of Kapuskasing, Ont., for the Timmins Daily Press. A job offer took him to Medicine Hat, Alta., and the Medicine Hat News, in 1960, and a fun-filled two and a half years as general reporter, sports editor and news editor. Off to Winnipeg and four and a half years with the Tribune, as a deskman, reporter and business editor, before The Globe and Mail beckoned from Toronto. Jim's Globe career started on the news rim then went on to the back desk in Report On Business, assistant sports editor for 10 years, editor for the launch of the National Edition, news editor. Reality returned on being drafted to return to Report On Business. A move to Qualicum Beach became a centennial project and Jim and his family arrived December 1999, and it's been more than worth the 40-year wait.
1942 - February 13, 2020
Peter Puttonen - After leaving Sony as Acting National Service Coordinator in 1970, Peter joined the CBC for the first time in the Vancouver studios. Later he designed video systems and ran a service shop for Total Video Systems. Then he went back to the CBC and as a supervising technician was responsible for the day to day operations of the transmitters on the Mainland and Vancouver Island. He consulted for and designed the techical aspects for a TV studio at Capilano Collage. Then he went back the CBC for the third time. As a systems technologist for ENG he was instumental in guiding the transition from news film to tape. Then he went to JVC as a field engineer. The last major position Peter held and retired from was with Philips Electronics (Consumer Electronics) where he started as a technical instructor and ended up in charge of Western Canada. Peter retired in 2000 and resided in Nanaimo with his wife, Bernice Urbaniak.
January 5, 1957 - October 15, 2019
Another charter member of our Media Club, Linda Tenney died after a courageous battle with cancer. Linda landed on Vancouver Island in 2003 with her husband Bob, and a bookstore. While Bob ran the store, Linda and her business partner Sharon Waugh launched EyesOnBC Media Group in 2004 to publish the community-inspired magazine, The Beacon. EyesOnBC won the "2005 Best New Business of the Year" Award from the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce. The publisher of EyesOnBC Magazine passed away peacefully in her Qualicum Bay home. Tenney was a well-loved and respected member of the Lighthouse Country community.
September 11, 1930 - June 7, 2019
Wife of Sherv Shragge, charter member of our Media Club.
March 18, 1943 - May 19, 2019
Born and raised in Southern England, John started out making TV shorts at 17. Attended University and got a couple of degrees in photography, film and TV. Worked for AP during summer work breaks; joined JWT on graduating and taught film at College and University. Emigrated to BC with JWT in 1969. Became a teacher for a couple of years. Accepted a film contract in North Africa. Returned in '74 and formed Kenchenten & Associates Ltd. ad agency and media production house based on Gabriola Island (30 years). Became agency of record to International, National and Provincial client base. Produced several TV series in a wide variety of genres. 2004 relocated to Port Alberni (failed retirement 101 dismally).
October 1, 1949 - May 7, 2019
Graduating in electronic engineering in 1972, Bruce worked in RCA Tuner Lab. In '74, he transferred to RCA Systems and was involved in the design and installation of sound systems for the Olympic Stadium, Velodrome, and the Olympic Swimming Pools. He designed and supervised the installation of the Communication and Translation systems for the International Civil Aviation Organization building. Bruce and his wife, Maureen moved to Edmonton in 1977e where he designed and installed communication systems for Yellowknife, Tuktoyaktuk, Norman Wells and countless other Canadian Northern communities over the next 3 years. In 1980, he began his "Radio" career at CFRN as Engineer. Bruce and his wife, Maureen moved to the Comox Valley following retirement.
1940 - January 25, 2018
George's early stints in broadcasting were in front of microphones, spinnin' discs, rippin' and readin' news at CFJC (Kamloops), CKLG and CHQM (Vancouver). He joined CFRN-FM (Edmonton) in 1964. He remained with CFRN-AM-FM-TV, on-air, in front of the camera, behind a desk in management until 1992. He's best known, in that market, for his 17 year run as Jockey G on Jukebox Saturday Night and Lunchtime Oldies.
July 25, 1932 - January 23, 2018
Laurie Began a media career in his home town in 1948 with the Winnipeg Tribune sports department. Ten years later, became Sports Editor of the Brandon Sun and in '63 moved to Regina as Sports Editor and columnist with the Leader-Post. This led to a weekly show with CKCK-TV. Laurie left the trade in the early 70s to create Laurie Artiss Ltd. starting in curling equipment distribution, then focusing on the production and marketing of enamelled lapel pins. In 1995 Laurie was added to the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Media Roll of Honor. In 2004 he was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and in 2006, An inductee into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame.
July 20, 1930 - December 11, 2017
Bev got his start in media in 1947 when he landed a summer relief announce/operator job with CKFI in Fort Francis, Ontario. Management suggested he go back to school before pursuing a career in broadcasting. In June of '48 an opening for studio operator was offered at CKX in Brandon. Left the business in '49 to work at MacDonald Aircraft in Winnipeg. Started in the electrical shop, then moved to the radio department. On a day off he met someone he'd known a few years, Jack Hill, who was Operations Manager at CKRC. By June 1950 he was spinning discs on air. In 1957 he was promoted to chief operator. In '58 during a vacation in Vancouver, a friend at CBU (CBC Vancouver) suggested he apply as a Studio Operator. Hired in January 1959 he stayed until 1976, when he finished a 29-year broadcast career. From then to retirement 14 years later he worked as a travelling salesman. Bev and Elaine were married in 2012 and moved to the Island in 2013.
April 5, 1928 - March 23, 2017
Harold began his broadcast career at CKCK Radio in 1966 as the afternoon news anchor and within a month, was anchoring late night newscasts on CKTV. In a few years he became prime time news anchor on both radio and TV. His tenure at CK Radio spanned 24 years, 22 years at CKTV. He chose to stay with radio and began doing a Friday editorial at the new STV. A sidebar highlite of his latter years at CK Radio was serving as administrator of the CK Childrens Fund. A project that benefitted many young people. In 1990 he returned to his hometown of Vancouver and, wanting a quieter environment, moved in 1992 to the beautiful Alberni valley on Vancouver Island. In 2016, due to deteriorating health he moved to Victoria and closer to family.
June 25, 1941 - December 30, 2016
In the 60s Robert worked in Pittsburgh, PA as a freelance photographer exhibiting the arty side of his work at local galleries. In '68, he did a short stint as an art director for a food service industry trade paper. Then on to Cleveland as soundman and editor for a a TV commercial production company. Started his own production company in 1970 and moved to New York City. In '72 he was hired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art as an art restorer. As a sideline, he did freelance sound recording for local film production companies. In 1980 he moved to San Francisco and did restoration work for private clients. 1985 saw him off to Boston where he started a vintage and custom guitar shop. Five years later he gave in to his short attention span and returned to San Francisco where he began working as a freelance copywriter for computer game companies and corporate websites. From there it was off to Amsterdam for a couple of years. In 2006 he moved to Vancouver Island where he returned to his roots as a fine art photographer.
November 13, 1941 - February 1, 2015
Bob began his working career at the age of 9 as a paperboy for the Chicago Tribune. Fifty-six years later he's an older paperboy on Vancouver Island for the Beacon Magazine! Bob's eclectic work history includes … Ditch digger in Germany (student exchange program). Atomic scientist (yikes, he nearly irradiated himself). Dog walker (multiple dogs, multiple leashes, and multiple licks on the face). Community organizer and social activist during the Vietnam War (Bob chained himself to the underside of a car, blocking downtown traffic in a US metropolis at rush hour). Tree planter (of future newsprint). Oyster shucker in Tofino (Bob hates oysters). Cook on a fish-packing boat in Prince Rupert. Campaign manager for the Rhino candidate in Vancouver East during the federal "erection" of 1980. Sushi chef (Bob LOVES sushi). Head cashier at a food co-op. Gardener. Writer for the Bowser-based Beacon Magazine (now that's "Stranger than Fiction"!) After a long, illustrious, and quasi-infamous career, Bob moved to Vancouver Island with his wife Linda in 2003 to "retire and get away from it all". They bought Baywater Books in Qualicum Bay, and closed it two years later in favour of an Internet presence. "I have never worked harder, enjoyed it more or been paid less." said Bob.
October 11, 1947 - December 6, 2014
Patrick started his career hanging around CJAV in Port Alberni in 1963. His first on air experience came while still in High School in 1964 at CJAV. He moved to his first full time position in the spring of 1967 at CHUB Nanaimo. From Nanaimo to the Cariboo in 1971 to do mornings at CKWL in Williams Lake. The Okanagan beckoned in the spring of '76 calling him to CKOV in Kelowna to work mid-days. In 1980 he returned to CKWL Williams Lake briefly. He moved to Nanaimo in June 1981, joining Bob Adshead to help launch CKEG 1350. In 1986 he returned to Williams Lake to pursue a career outside of radio. It didn't last long. He was hired for Morning Show duties at CFFM when it launched in the spring of 1987. Back to the Island in 1995 to work with Island Radio in Parksville at CKCI 1350 which went on to become 88.5 The Beach. After another year away from radio, in March 2004, he was hired to do mornings on "The Lounge, 99.9" Parksville - Qualicum Beach.
July 12, 1940 - September 4, 2014
Don was hired in 1972 as a TV news cameraman by CBC Edmonton. In September of '76 he made the move to the west coast where, in the early eighties he became a news video photographer. In the last three years of his CBC career, Don was Supervising Technician overlooking the activities of some 30 cameramen, soundmen and editors. Retiring after a 24 year career in CBC television news in 1996, Don received many professional awards, both during his years at CN as well as a couple of RTNDA awards in CBC News. He served as representative for the members of the NABET/CEP union for over 15 years, and almost 8 years as the National President of The CBC Pensioners National Association.
November 5, 1931 - April 5, 2014
Originally from Saskatoon, John grew up across the prairies in Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer. His broadcast career began in 1949 at CKRD in Red Deer. In '51 he moved to Edmonton as 'Morning Man' on CFRN. Then, a short return to CKRD in late '53 as program manager. Back to Edmonton in '55 for nine years as 'The Morning Mayor' and a stint in marketing and National Sales at CHED. In '64 he moved to CKWX Vancouver for the morning show and daily talk show on BCTV. 1969 and a move to CHFI in Toronto. Two more years in Vancouver as program manager of CJOR, plus a couple of CTV Game Shows over the next four years. Finally, it was over to Vancouver Island and CKDA in Victoria in '73. Here, he also hosted a talk show 'Barton & Company' on CHEK-TV for five years. After 26 years in broadcasting he became Creative Director of Victoria's Copeland Communications until he retired in 1992, moving to Qualicum Beach in 1994.
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