In Memoriam Archives

IN MEMORIAM ROLL CALL

A number of our CBC colleagues have passed away in the last twelve months. The roll call tells you who we have lost and when, to the best of our knowledge, and supplies information concerning their CBC career.

BARBARA (BARB) VITOLS, wife of retired CBC Vancouver TV Executive Producer Al Vitols, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025.  Born in 1939, Barb was 86 years of age.

JAY DEBIENNE, former CBC Regina Audio Technician - TV Studios, passed away on August 4, 2025.  Jay wa 60 years of age.

JOAN LEISHMAN, CBC Toronto Writer/Editor/Journalist and Documentary Reporter for "The National", passed away on August 3, 2025 at age 67.

GWEN DOBBIE, retired CBC Winnipeg/Calgary Editorial Assistant-TV News/Production Assistant "24 Hours" and TV Network News, passed away on July 27, 2025.  Gwen was 82 years old.

PHIL REIMER, former CBC Winnipeg Sports Reporter/CBC Vancouver Weatherman/TV Producer, passed away on July 16, 2025.  Phil was 84 years old.

SIMON CROUCH, former freelance reporter for CBC in Ontario, passed away on July 12, 2025 at age 67.

GILBERT "GIL" HAMELIN, retired CBC Ottawa Supervisor of Telecommunications National Capital Area, passed away on June 19, 2025.

TOM WOOD, retired CBC Toronto Audio Technician, passed away on June 6, 2025 at age 76 (just ten days prior to his 77th birthday).

LYNN KELLY, former CBC New Brunswick Current Affairs Reporter; CBC Toronto TV News Senior Writer/Senior Producer, passed away on June 5, 2025.  Lynn was 72 years of age.

RUDI KOVANIC, retired CBC Toronto Network Television Cameraman - "The Nature of Things"/Independent Cinematographer, passed away on May 28, 2025.  Rudi was 89 years old.

ANN CAMILLERI, former CBC Toronto Production Assistant/Assistant Director/Producer, passed away recently at age 67.  

STAN FOX, former CBC Vancouver Film Editor/Manager, Film Services and Producer/Executive Producer, passed away on May 20, 2025.  Stan was 97 years old.

RON FREEMAN, retired CBC Toronto Manager of Telecommunications Operations, passed away on April 30, 2025 at age 94.

FRANCES WAINWRIGHT, retired CBC Montreal Radio Producer. passed away on April 22, 2025.  Frances passed just four days before her 84th birthday.

MONIQUE HEBERT, retired CBC Winnipeg French Services Music Librarian/Host "Marche aux puces"/News Reporter and Writer, passed away on April 21, 2025 at age 84.

DIANE SWEET (nee TURNER), former Edmonton TV Librarian,passed away on April 18, 2025.  Diane was 75 years old.

NOREEN YOUNG, Puppeteer - CBC Ottawa's "Jack in the Box", "Hi Diddle Day" and "Under the Umbrella Tree", passed away on April 18, 2025.  Noreen was 85 years of age.

TED KOTCHEFF, filmmaker and Former CBC Toronto Television Director, passed away on April 10, 2025.  Ted was 94 years old.

MARCIA CIMOLAI, wife of retired CBC Vancouver Announcer/Program Host Bruno Cimolai, passed away on March 28, 2025 at age 91.

NIGEL NAPIER-ANDREWS, former CBC Toronto TV Producer, passed away on March 22, 2025.  Nigel was 82 years old.

GEORGE JAMIESON, former CBC Radio Senior Producer for As It Happens, passed away on March 20, 2025 at 74 years of age.

LUCIE BARIL, widow of Armand Baril (CBC Toronto/Winnipeg/Edmonton Arts and Entertainment Producer), passed away on March 17, 2025.  Lucie was 94 years old.

GARY EXNER, retired CBC Winnipeg Radio Master Control Technician, passed away on March 14, 2025.  Gary was 85 years of age.

JOHN FOSTER, retired CBC Toronto Network Writer/Host/Producer, passed away on March 14, 2025 just weeks shy of his 92nd birthday.

RICHARD SLOWSKI, former CBC Regina Radio Technical Employee, passed away on March 8, 2025, age 76.

VI ATWELL, retired CBC Saskatoon Sales Department Manager, passed away on March 6, 2025.  Vi was 82 years old. 

IRENE ROBINSON, retired CBC Toronto Radio and Television Executive Assistant. passed away on March 5, 2025 at 89 years of age.

JOHN WESTON, retired CBC Winnipeg/Vancouver Lighting Director, Switcher, Floor Director, Unit Manager, passed away on February 28, 2025.  John was 92 years old, having celebrated his birthday just four days before his passing.

YETTE VANDENDAM, CBC Toronto Associate Director/Director/Producer/Executive Producer - TV News and TV Network Sports and Department Head of Information for Olympic Broadcast Services, 2010 Vancouver Olympics, passed away on February 25, 2025.  Yette was 55 years of age.

CHRISTINE KNIGHT (nee MACKAY), widow of CBC Winnipeg Announcer George Knight, passed away on February 18, 2025.  Christine was 96 years old.

DON NUNN, husband of Dagmar Kaffanke-Nunn (retired CBC Vancouver Radio Producer), passed away on February 11, 2025 at 72 years of age.

JOHN GRIFFIN, former CBC Cameraman, and Cinematographer/Journalist/Documentary Film Maker, passed away on February 1, 2025 at age 86.

MARILYN SHARPLES, widow of CBC Vancouver Announcer/Program Host Bob Sharples, passed away on January 26, 2025.  Marilyn was 84 years old.

DAVID (DAVE) BLANCHARD, retired from CBC Winnipeg Engineering Department, passed away on January 24, 2025.  Dave was 89 years of age.

ROZ FARBER, retired CBCToronto Network TV Current Affairs' Producer, passed away on January 22, 2025 at age 92.

LORETTA JOYCE, former CBC Vancouver Radio Drama Program Assistant, passed away on January 6, 2025.  Loretta was 85 years of age.

GLENN SCULLION, retired CBC Ottawa/Edmonton/Montreal/Toronto and Europe - Film Editor and Film Management, passed away on January 4, 2025 at age 90.

NADA HARCOURT, retired CBC Toronto Network Area Head of Children's Television/Creative Head of Dramatic Series, passed away toward the end of 2024 (precise date unknown).  Nada was 87 years old.

LOU WEBB, retired CBC Engineer, EHQ Montreal and Ottawa, passed away on December 31, 2024.  Lou was 100 years of age.

BILL BOYD, former Correspondent with The National and Newsmagazine, CBC Toronto, passed away on December 7, 2025.  

ALDEN HABECON. former CBC British Columbia Diversity Specialist and Network Manager of Diversity Initiatives, passed away as a result of a tragic accident on December 2, 2024.  Alden was 50 years of age.

KEN GIBSON, CBC Vancouver Propsman/Studio Director/TV Producer/Area Head of TV Variety, passed away on November 30, 2024.  Ken was 92 years old.

DAVE CHOMIAK, retired CBC Winnipeg Manager of Human Resources/Television Plant Manager, passed away on November 20, 2024. 

ANDRE LONGCHAMPS, retired CBC Ottawa Maintenance Technician, passed away on November 20, 2024.  Andre was 81 years of age.

ALLEN CASSIDY, retired CBC Ottawa Master Control Technician, passed away recently at age 84.

JOE FULLER, retired CBC Windsor/Toronto VTR Technician, passed away on November 15, 2024.  Joe was 74 years of age.

RON VOLDEN, retired CBC Calgary/St.John's/Sydney/Regina Technician/Radio Technical Manager, passed away on November 12, 2024.  Ron was 86 years old.

DARLEEN SAVOIE, widow of Elie Savoie (CBC Vancouver TV Producer/TV Program Director; CBC Regina Regional Director), passed away on November 10, 2024.  Darleen passed just three days before her 89th birthday.

ROBERT (BOB) FULFORD, retired Journalist and Host, CBC Toronto Radio Programs "The Arts This Week" and "This is Robert Fulford", and Panelist on "Morningside", passed away on October 15, 2024. Bob was 92 years old.

WILLIAM (WILLIE) BEATON, retired CBC Winnipeg/Edmonton Set Designer, passed away recently at age 86. 

ROSSALYN "ROSSI" CAMERON, former CBC Edmonton News' Reporter, passed away on October 6, 2024.  Rossi was 90 years old.

DOUG IANSON, former Senior Communications Officer, CBC Edmonton, passed away on October 4, 2024 just a few weeks shy of his 77th birthday.

PETER WARD, former CBC Ottawa Radio "Capital Report" Host, passed away on September 15, 2024 at age 93.

RAY FOLCIK, retired CBC Toronto Radio Technician, passed away on September 13, 2024.  Ray was 72 years of age.

CARLOS VAN LEEUWEN, former CBC Toronto Radio Producer, passed away on September 11, 2024.  Carlos was 64 years old.

ROGER WOOD, retired from CBC Winnipeg Technicial Services, passed away on September 7, 2024 at age 92.  

MARC LABELLE, retired CBC Sudbury Newsroom Assignment Editor, passed away on August 19, 2024.  Marc was 68 years old.

GERARD ROCHON, retired CBC Ottawa Manager, Duplicating (Reprographics) Department, passed away on August 18, 2024.  Gerard was 95 years of age.

STEVE HYDE, retired CBC Toronto TV Production Assistant, passed away on August 5, 2024 at age 88.  

MILLIE DWYER, wife of retired CBC Vancouver Sportscaster Eric Dwyer, passed away on July 29, 2024. Millie was 94 years old.

AURELE LeCOMPTE, musician and retired CBC Ottawa Music Librarian, passed away on July 17, 2024.  Aurele was 83 years of age.

ALLAN (AL) PINNIE, retired CBC Winnipeg Lighting Director, passed away on July 10, 2024, one week shy of his 87th birthday.  

DAWN SPARKS, wife of John Sparks (Former CBC Vancouver Film Cameraman), passed away on July 9, 2024, the day before her 78th birthday.

NANCY WEVURSKY, retired CBC Winnipeg TV Script Assistant, passed away on July 6, 2024.  Nancy was 86 years of age.

MIKE MORGAN, retired CBC Vancouver Unit Manager/Production Manager and CBC Toronto Manager of Business Administration, passed away on July 4, 2024.  Mike was 80 years old.

ROSS ELLIOTT, retired CBC Winnipeg TV Technical Supervisor and Senior Technician, passed away on July 3, 2024 - his 99th birthday.  

RICK CLUFF, retired CBC British Columbia Radio Host, 'The Early Edition", passed away on July 2, 2024.  Rick was 74 years old.

CHRIS PATON, retired CBC Edmonton/Vancouver/Toronto/Halifax Script Assistant/Production Assistant/Director/Producer/Executive Producer/Manager and Writer/Artist, passed away on July 2, 2024.  Chris was 83 years of age.

BEVERLEY KELLY, retired CBC Edmonton, Calgary and Windsor Human Resources Manager, passed away on June 20, 2024.  Beverley was 81 years old.

REX MURPHY, former Cross Country Checkup Host and contributor to The National, passed away on May 9, 2024 at age 77.

BRUCE LEFEBVRE, retired CBC Ottawa Cameraman/Mobile Video Technician, passed away on May 6, 2024.  

RAY FITZWALTER, former CBC Vancouver Freelance Cameraman, passed away on April 24, 2024.

RAY SMART, former CBC Radio and Television Technician, passed away on April 22, 2024.  Ray was 90 years old.

LOU COOPER, former CBC Toronto News Production Manager/Editor/Producer/Resources Manager, passed away on April 10, 2024 at age 83.

VICTOR MILES, former CBC Vancouver Television Designer, passed away on April 6, 2024.  Victor was 95 years of age.

BUDDY STANTON, retired CBC Edmonton Cameraman/Director, passed away on April 5, 2024.  Buddy was 76 years old.

KEN McCREATH, retired CBC Radio Reporter - Calgary/Toronto and Parliamentary Hill Bureau Chief, Ottawa, passed away on March 15, 2024.  Ken was 84 years old.

BEVERLEY WOWCHUK, former CBC Vancouver Costume Designer. passed away on March 8, 2024.  Beverley was 76 years of age.

ELEANOR COLLINS, acclaimed Jazz Great and Former CBC Vancouver and National TV Program Host/Performer, passed away on March 3, 2024 at age 104.

WALLY FIRTH, the first Indigenous Announcer-Operator at CBC in Inuvik and Yellowknife, NWT, passed away on March 2, 2024.  Wally was 89 years old.

JOHN GIBSON, retired CBC Winnipeg Director of Technical Operations, passed away on March 2, 2024.  John was 98 years of age.

JIM MURRAY, CBC Toronto Radio and Television Journalist/Reporter, passed away on February 24, 2024 at age 59.

ROD SLAWSON, retired Cameraman/Editor, CBC Manitoba/ Saskatchewan and CBC National News, Toronto, passed away on February 23, 2024.  Rod was 66 years old.

ANDY MARTENS, retired CBC Vancouver TV Technical Producer, passed away on February 21, 2024.

David Pate, Retired CBC Halifax Radio Producer/Host, passed away on February 12, 2024.  

MARY DE POE, retired CBC Toronto TV Children's/Variety Script Assistant; Unit Manager; Talent Relations Officer, passed away on February 10, 2024. 

DAVID PATE, retired CBC Halifax Radio Producer/Host, passed away on February 9, 2024 at age 64.

DON HARDISTY, retired CBC Vancouver Radio Supervising Technician - Audio, passed away on February 6, 2024.  Don was 90 years old.

RICHARD MASSÉ, retired CBC Ottawa Senior Maintenance Technician, passed away on February 5, 2024 at age 78.

DON NICKOLSON, retired CBC Edmonton Floor Director, passed away on February 5, 2024.  Don was 78 years of age.

CONNIE SINCLAIR, former CBC Toronto Radio Newsreader, passed away on February 3, 2024.

BRIAN SMYTH, retired CBC Windsor and CBOT Ottawa On-Air Host-Radio and Television, passed away on February 3, 2024.  Brian was 91 years old.

STEVE DEXTER, CBC Ottawa, Duplicating Equipment Operator, passed away on February 2, 2024.  Steve was 67 years of age.

JIM RAE, retired CBC Winnipeg Radio Farm Commentator, passed away on February 2, 2024.  Jim was 83 years old.

BILL CUNNINGHAM, former CBC Executive Producer of "The National"/CBC TV Vietnam War Correspondent/Head of CBC Network News/CBC Foreign Correspondent and Host of Documentary Programming for CBC Newsworld and Newsworld International, passed away on January 31, 2024.  Bill was 91 years old.

NOREEN KOTOWICH, former CBC Radio Regina/CBC Radio La Ronge Announcer/Operator, passed away on January 30, 2024.  Noreen was 59 years of age.

GEORGE MacDONALD, retired CBC Winnipeg Stagehand, Design Services, passed away on January 30, 2024 at age 96.

DON STEWART, former CBC Ottawa Freelance Audio Technician, passed away recently, precise date unknown.

MARGUERITE CALLEGARI (nee FALK), retired CBC Vancouver Switchboard Supervisor/Senior Clerk, TV Programming Department, passed away on January 28, 2024.  Marguerite was 93 years of age.

PETER KRIKORIAN, retired CBC Toronto TV Technical Director. passed away on January 27, 2024 at age 66.  

FATHER NOEL WHELAN, retired CBC Toronto Sales Service Representative/TV Network Transmission Duty Manager, passed away on January 23, 2024.  Father Whelan was 81 years of age.

LES BATEMAN, former CBC Vancouver TV Audio Mixer and musician/studio engineer, passed away on January 22, 2024.  Les was 74 years old.

NORMAN JEWISON, Director/Producer, passed away on January 20, 2024 at age 97.

ANGELA (ANGIE) PAQUETTE, retired CBC Toronto Chyron Operator, TV Sports, passed away on January 12, 2024.

JOHN POLLOCK, retired CBC Ottawa Design Department Set Decorator, passed away on January 12, 2024.

SHIRLEY BRADLEY, former CBO Ottawa Secretary to the Station Manager, passed away on January 11, 2024.  

PEGGY ESTE, retired CBC Toronto Radio Assistant Producer, passed away on January 7, 2024.  Peggy was 82 years old.

DON ELDER, former Executive Producer, CBC Network Children's Television, Toronto, passed away on January 7, 2024 at age 95.

VALERIE SCOTT, partner of Pascal Guillon, CBC Vancouver Radio Journalist, passed away suddenly on January 5, 2024.  Valerie was 67 years old.

TOM McCULLOCH, retired CBC Regina/Calgary Program Host, passed away on January 5, 2024.  Tom was 88 years of age.

ALF NORRIS, retired CBC Toronto Editor/Director/Producer, passed away on January 1, 2024 at age 86.