John Sexsmith, 63, on Oct. 17, following a 13-year battle with prostate cancer. A graduate of the NAIT Radio & Television program, Sexsmith started his broadcast career at Edmonton’s K-97 (CIRK-FM) in 1990, serving as the station’s sports director and co-hosting the morning show. In 1995, he joined 630 CHED as a host, before quickly moving on to Global Edmonton/ITV in 1997. Sexsmith was a sports reporter and anchor with the station for 26 years. He received his initial cancer diagnosis in 2012, and went on to take an extended leave for much of 2016 and 2017. In 2023 he left television and joined the Alberta Cancer Foundation as a philanthropy officer.
Bryn Matthews, 86, on Oct. 13. While raised in Toronto, Matthews started his television career across the pond as a trainee television director on Coronation Street in Manchester. After returning to Canada in 1965, he went on to work with CFTO Toronto as a producer and director on the 6 p.m. news and a director on CTV’s W5. After taking a break to study at the Sorbonne, he once again returned to Canada in the 1970s to take on an executive role at CJOH / CTV Ottawa, serving as president and general manager. Among the shows he produced were youth programs like You Can’t Do That on Television, High School Confidential, Marie-Soleil and Denim Blues.
