Dave Ross, on Sept. 13, after a battle with lung cancer. Known on-air as Mike Austin, Ross started his radio career in the 1970s as a DJ for CKPG Prince George, going on to serve as a longtime staff announcer. He’s remembered as a superb storyteller, who loved the Classic Hits and Classic Rock formats. He eventually left radio to pursue gardening, finding success with the founding of his own business.
Kay Alsop, 100, on Sept. 6. Alsop began her journalism career as a freelance writer for the Winnipeg Tribune, which led to a job hosting CBC-TV Winnipeg afternoon show “Ladies First,” from 1962-65, in addition to co-hosting the nightly news. Alsop was also a frequent guest panelist on CBC’s “Front Page Challenge” and “Flashback.” Raising a family alongside her broadcasting career, Alsop transferred with her husband to Vancouver in 1967 where she signed on as a staff reporter with The Vancouver Province. Her coverage of women’s, First Nations issues and family law reform earned her the YWCA “Women of Distinction” Award in 1987. Alsop went on to be appointed Fashion Editor in 1979, travelling internationally to cover the collections in Paris, Milan, Rome, New York and Los Angeles. She retired in 1985, but continued freelancing for Chatelaine, Western Living, Canadian Living, and The Financial Post, among other publications.
