Three deaths this past week in Radioland. Maggie Calloway (nee Chew) passed away at 72. Maggie’s brother lost a leg to cancer, and in the next hospital bed to him was Terry Fox. Terry had also lost a leg to cancer and had this dream about running from coast to coast to raise money for cancer research. Maggie was informed of Terry’s desire and began a campaign with CJOR promotion manager Jack Lee and station general manager Don Wall. They raised over $600,000 and kick started Terry’s run. Maggie’s determination made it happen.
Maggie and I worked side by side for years in Gastown. We did all the promotional work for the Gastown Grand Prix in the ’90s. She went on to develop a walking club in concert with the Vancouver Sun. She was a wonderful writer and a first class public relations person. For years at CJOR she produced the John Reynolds radio talk show. She was a ball of talent and energy and will be greatly missed.
Gordon Rose was one of the truly great voices of broadcasting in the Lower Mainland. His radio career spanned 35 years. The one time CHWK/Chilliwack news anchor helped launch CJJC/Langley, where he was assistant manager. In 1953 he joined the CKNW newsroom, where he worked for two years before moving to C-FUN. Gordie retired in 1980. He was 90 when he passed recently.
Am I wrong or isn’t Vancouver a hockey town? CKNW has shed sports news once and for all. When asked about the change ‘NW responded by saying “Sports is not our demographic.” Greg Douglas wrote about it in his Saturday column in the Vancouver Sun.
Oh, how times have changed.
It was just a decade ago that the “Top Dog” carried not only sportscasts but also B.C. Lions and Vancouver Canucks play-by-play. Al Davidson, J.Paul McConnell, Neil McRae and Jim Robson were part of a great radio station. They were major Vancouver radio personalities. Sadly, there won’t be replacements for these broadcast giants. Just like classic buildings in this town, there is little respect for heritage and history. Tear it down and put up a high-rise. Good luck.