Jim McLaughlin, on Sept. 23, after a short battle with liver cancer. McLaughlin started in radio at CHED Edmonton in 1966 in news, going on to hold roles over the next decade that included rising to the position of News Director. His career with Moffatt Communications grew from there, serving as National Sales Assistant and National Program Director, ultimately assuming the role of Vice-President of Radio. When Moffat decided to exit the radio business in 1992, he started looking for a management position, joining South Fraser Broadcasting’s Z95 (CKZZ-FM) and CISL Vancouver in January 1993. McLaughlin was also involved in industry organizations, including serving two terms as a director with both the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) and Broadcast Bureau of Measurement (BBM). He additionally was among the radio industry boosters who worked closely (alongside Chuck McCoy) on the formation of FACTOR (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Records).
Joseph (Joe) Ulmer, 70, on Sept. 20, at home in Kitchener. Ulmer was born and raised in Kitchener, graduating from St. Jerome’s High School and later Conestoga College. Known for his sunny disposition, Ulmer worked for CKCO-TV (CTV Kitchener) for almost four decades as an editor. He retired in 2017.
Nadir Mohamed, 69, on Sept. 18. Mohamed joined Rogers Communications in 2000, serving as President & CEO of Rogers Wireless from 2001 to 2005, when he was appointed President & Chief Operating Officer of Rogers. In 2009, he succeeded Ted Rogers as President & CEO of the company, holding the role until his retirement in January 2014. He was also Co-Founder and Chair of venture capital fund manager, ScaleUP Ventures; Chair of tech incubator DMZ Ventures; and Chairman of private investment firm, Alignvest Management Corporation. He additionally chaired the Digital Media Zone Advisory Council, served as CEO in residence at Ryerson University, and on the boards of TD Bank Financial Group, Trilogy International Partners, Tennis Canada, UHN Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation, and was a founding board member of Next 36/NEXT Canada, supporting students and recent grads launching startups. Mohamed was inducted into the Order of Canada in 2019 and recognized by the UN Association in Canada at their 2013 Global Citizens Dinner. Read more here.
Su McKillop, 74, on Sept. 14. McKillop spent much of her career at CKCO-TV Kitchener as Television Traffic Supervisor. She later joined CTV Toronto, where she retired as the Director of Revenue Management.
Willa McLean, 92, on Sept. 4. Born in Stayner, ON, McLean started her professional career as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse at just 18 years-old. She went on to become a TV and radio producer for her husband Bob McLean, her partner of 58 years up until his death in 2014, when there were few women producers. McLean proposed to the second grade teacher while hosting the morning show at CKBB Barrie, moving the family around over the next few years, before returning to Canada and the CBC in 1975, where he hosted lunchtime staple “The Bob McLean Show.” He later joined “all-talk” news station CKO, where the couple worked alongside one another, prior to the network’s shutdown in 1989. He continued to host, with Willa producing, including daily CKCO-TV show, McLean and Company, which had a six-year run on the Kitchener station in the 1990s. The couple ended their careers at Kitchener’s CKWR radio in 2011.
