Gretta Chambers, 90, on Sept. 9. The first female chancellor of McGill University and a regular contributor to news programs and newspapers in Montreal in both official languages, Chambers started as a researcher and host on CBC Radio program The Province In Print from 1966 to 1980, a weekly program about Quebec events. She also wrote a weekly column for the Montreal Gazette from the late 1970s until 2002, and was host of weekly public affairs show The Editors on CFCF 12 from 1977 to 1980. She served as Chancellor of McGill from 1991 to 1999. Chambers was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1994, a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2000, and an Officer of the Ordre National du Québec in 1993.
David R. Graham, 80, on Sept. 2, in Toronto. After finishing Harvard Business School, Graham applied for cable tv licenses in cities across Canada and with his partner, Jim Meekison, formed Cablecasting Limited, which became Canada’s fifth largest cable TV company serving cities in western Canada and rural Ontario. Cablecasting’s holdings included Greater Winnipeg Cablevision, Calgary Cable TV/FM, Thames Cablevision, Allview Cable Service, Graham Cable, and Lakeshore Community Television. Graham later acquired cable tv franchises for metropolitan Atlanta and Los Angeles. Graham sold his business interests to Shaw Communications Inc. in 1992. He had been living in London, England since 1980.
Katherine Kennedy Housser, 70, on Sept. 10. Originally from Port Alberni, BC, Housser landed at CBC Radio and TV in St. John’s, NL in 1975 after studying at McGill University. Housser remained with CBC as a journalist and network news producer until her retirement in 2008. She returned to school at age 60, receiving her Masters in English Language and Literature from Memorial University.
Cal George, 96, on July 23, in Penticton. George started his career at CHWK Chilliwack in 1942, moving to CKWX-AM Vancouver the same year, first as an operator and then announcer. He remained with the station until 1967, much of that time as midday host and is remembered for co-hosting the Neighbour Nina homemakers show with Nina Anthony, a popular casino giveaway show which offered cash prizes, and the Red White and Blue phone quiz weekday afternoons. George moved to CKOK-AM Penticton around 1970 when he was offered the morning show. He stayed with the station until his retirement in 1985.
