Roy Gardner, a longtime executive at both Global BC and CHEK-TV in Victoria, has passed away.
Gardner died last Saturday at the age of 83.
Raised in Souris, MB, he started his broadcast career at CKX-TV in Brandon in 1964. He went on to hold roles in Kelowna and Kamloops, before joining CHEK-TV in 1973 where he spent 15 years, ascending to the role of General Manager.
Gardner went on to join BCTV (now Global BC) in 1987, retiring as the station’s General Manager in 2008. He later came out of retirement in 2013 to guide CHEK Media Group through a period of organizational restructuring to help stabilize the employee-owned station, as President and General Manager.
“As CHEK celebrates its 70th anniversary, we look back at the many individuals who have shaped this station. Roy stands out as a leader who had an enormous impact on CHEK – not only as a Production Manager and General Manager, but as a man of true kindness and integrity,” said Rob Germain, CHEK’s current GM. “Roy even came out of retirement in 2013 to guide the newly employee-owned CHEK through a challenging transition, insisting on a nominal salary of just $1.”
His industry advocacy efforts included serving as President of the B.C. Association of Broadcasters (BCAB) from 1989 to 1990. He was recognized with the BCAB’s Broadcaster of the Year Award in 2003 in recognition of his contributions to broadcasting in British Columbia.
A lifelong lover of animals, Gardner also established the Roy Gardner Animal Welfare Fund with the Benefaction Foundation.
