Maritime talk radio legend Rick Howe has passed away after an ongoing battle with cancer. He was 69.
An army brat, who grew up on bases in Canada and Europe, Howe started pursuing his passion for radio in rural New Brunswick, landing his first professional job at CKNB Campbellton in 1972. From there, he joined CFBC Saint John as a reporter before moving on to CJCH Halifax in 1978 where he served initially as a reporter, then news director, and eventually as host of the “Hotline.”
Following the station’s move to an all-sports format, Hotline was threatened with cancellation, but after a letter-writing campaign the show was moved to another station. Howe took his last Hotline call in 2008 and shortly thereafter joined Rogers Sports & Media news/talk station News 95.7 (CJNI-FM) Halifax (now CityNews).
Following some health issues, he stepped away from his morning talk show in May 2021 and officially retired in September of that year to Nova Scotia’s South Shore, alongside his wife of nearly 45 years, former CBC and CTV journalist Yvonne Colbert.
Known for his no-nonsense approach as much as his trademark ball cap, Hawaiian shirts, weathered jeans and Ray-Ban-style sunglasses, Howe was awarded the RTDNA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
Over the years, he authored three books, including 2022’s Behind The Mic: Five Decades Covering the News in the Maritimes, drawing from his nearly five decades on-air.
The talk studio at CityNews 95.7 was recently dedicated in Howe’s name.
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