Jean Pagé, 73, on Dec. 9, of prostate cancer. Pagé, who grew up Chicoutimi, got his start in broadcasting at the age of 18 when local radio station CJMT gave him a shot at hosting shows on weekends and during summer holidays, while he was going to university. In 1976, he joined La Soirée du Hockey, which he hosted for 17 years, going on to serve with Radio-Canada as a sports announcer and commentator for three decades. From 1996 to 2002, he hosted radio show C’est bien meilleur le matin, and later TQS flagship show 110% and L’Attaque 5. He also served as lead anchor or host during 11 different Olympic Games, including Sarajevo (1984), Los Angeles (1986), Seoul (1988), Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), London (2012), Albertville (1992), Nagano (1998), Salt Lake City (2002) and Vancouver (2010). Over his career, Pagé won eight Métrostar trophies, in addition to two Gemini awards.
Jessie McLean (née Geldart), 78, on Dec. 1, after a short battle with cancer. McLean’s four decades in broadcasting started in 1960 when she was hired by New Brunswick Broadcasting to handle Accounts Receivable at CHSJ Radio and TV in Saint John, NB. She left the station group in 1972 as Accounting Department Supervisor. McLean then joined the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) as an accountant in Ottawa, also taking on duties related to staging the CAB’s annual conventions. In 1978, she was named Director, Administrative Services, managing the office staff, and membership mailouts, among other duties, and in 1982 was promoted to Director of Finance and Administration. McLean was inducted into the CAB Hall of Fame in 1996 and retired in 1997. From 1980 to 1995, she also served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Communications Foundation.
Joan Farquhar, 74, on Nov. 28, of Parkinson’s. Farquhar started her broadcast career at The Big R (CKXR-FM) Salmon Arm and went on to spend 13 years at Kelowna’s CKIQ, now AM 1150 (CKFR). She moved to Calgary in the early 1980s to work at CBC in the sales department where she remained for over 20 years. A Celebration of Life is planned for Feb. 2020 in Salmon Arm.
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