Lito Taruc, 62, on Nov. 17, following a heart attack. Taruc was the longtime co-anchor of “Good Morning Philippines” on Evanov Radio Group’s CKJS 810AM Winnipeg. Following the lead of his brother Resty, who pioneered a one-hour program on the station called “Radyo Pilipino” in the mid-1970s, Taruc joined CKJS in 1997. He was with the station for over 20 years, becoming news director for CKJS Filipino programming in 2003. Taruc was also a well-known community leader, and president of the Philippine Association of Manitoba, as well as the Philippine-Canadian Centre of Manitoba. He unsuccessfully ran for a city council seat in the inner-city ward of Daniel McIntyre in 2010.
Doug Laite, 81, on Nov. 13. Laite’s presence was a staple on CBC radio and television in Newfoundland and Labrador for 30 years. Best known as the host of variety TV series “All Around the Circle”, which aired from 1964-75 and helped make many local performers household names, he also hosted the CBC St. John’s radio morning show, “Radio Noon”, “On the Go” and “Country Jamboree”, among other programs over the years. Laite was also called upon to officiate numerous important events in the province, including the funeral service following the 1982 Ocean Ranger disaster, and several royal visits.
