Peter Ray (Rakobowchuk), 71, on Aug. 2, of cancer. After attending Loyola College, Ray started his radio career in 1970 working at commercial stations in Northern Ontario, Hamilton and a stint as news director at CFOX Montreal, before joining the CKO (Canadian All-News Radio) network in Calgary and Vancouver. He moved on to Broadcast News (BN) in 1979 and would go on to work for the wire service for the next 40 years (through its transition to the Canadian Press), with posts in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal. His distinctive sign off was arguably one of the most recognizable associated with the wire service. Read more here.
Tim Dancy, 68, on Aug. 1, of cancer. Dancy, who holds the distinction of being the first TV play-by-play voice of the Edmonton Oilers, started his broadcasting career in 1974 at CJGX Yorkton. That was followed by stints at CKCK Regina, CKRD Red Deer and CBC Edmonton. In 1979, he joined CITV-TV Edmonton as Sports Director and Oilers play-by-play host. Dancy called the first goal in Oilers franchise history and Wayne Gretzky’s 50 goals in 39 games, among other historic moments. He continued in that role until 1983 when he moved on to do play-by-play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders on CKRM Regina. He returned to Edmonton in the late 1980s and went on to a three-decade career with QCTV, and later Shaw TV, as a reporter, host and producer, covering sports and entertainment, among other local stories. Read Global Edmonton’s tribute, here.
Robert (Bob) Simpson, on July 10, of cancer. Simpson spent five decades in broadcasting, starting at CJDV Drumheller, AB, CJOC Lethbridge, CHAB Moose Jaw, CKRM/CJME Regina, CISV Morden, MB, CJVR Melfort, CKST Langley/Vancouver, CKDA Victoria, Central Island Broadcasting in Nanaimo, CIVL Abbotsford, CFSI Salt Spring Island, CKAY Nanaimo and finally CHLY Nanaimo. Over the years, he held every position from announcer to farm director, programmer, sales, general manager, and consultant. Most recently, he’d been hosting weekly show “Bobby Be Cool” featuring rock n’ roll music of the 50s & 60s on community station, CHLY 101.7 FM Nanaimo. He retired in May of 2017.
