Michael Hall Caine, 75, on July 22. Caine was a second-generation broadcaster as the son of Whiteoaks Communications founders Howard and Jean Caine, who first started dreaming of owning a radio station while working together at CKOC Hamilton. They founded CHWO Oakville in 1956. Following Howard’s death in 1967, Jean and later Michael – who had been raised in the business and groomed to take over – suceeded him in management, going on to found CJMR in 1974, the first station licenced to the newly-incorporated city of Mississauga. In June of 2000, Michael achieved a personal goal, winning approval for an Adult Standards station at 740 AM, the former CBC Toronto frequency, known as “Primetime Radio.” It was sold to ZoomerMedia founder Moses Znaimer in 2008. At the time of his death, Michael was still serving as CEO of Whiteoaks Communications. The company is now under the guidance of his son Matthew, the third generation of Caines in broadcasting.
Irene Madoche, 88, on Aug. 6. Madoche worked in Edmonton radio for more than five decades, starting at CJCA in 1959, spending the bulk of her career with K97 (CIRK-FM), Mix 96 (CKRA-FM), and CFCW, through the ownership of Selkirk Communications and Newcap Radio. Madoche was the first point of contact to anyone who visited the stations and was known for her remarkable memory for names, voices and phone numbers. She retired in 2010 around her 75th birthday.