People We Remember

Cliff (George Clifford) Gardner was born in Brandon. He spent 60 years as a radio broadcaster, starting with CKX in Brandon and moving to Winnipeg in 1949 to host the morning shows at CJOB and in 1956 at CKRC, He returned to CJOB as Program Director in 1960, serving for 9 years before starting a freelance career. He was also an actor of considerable accomplishment; leading roles at MTC and a legendary Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” at Rainbow Stage. He was one of the driving forces behind the start of the first Nostalgia station CKVN in the mid 90’s (subsequently CHNR). Although he died several years prior to CJNU’s start in 2006, his influence is still felt today.

Keith Milligan was a member of Nostalgia Broadcasting Cooperative, and served as a phone volunteer with CJNU.

Glen Richard Joseph Miller, successfully combined his two min vocations - aviation and broadcasting. As a small craft pilot, he worked for Winnipeg based Perimeter and other regional airlines but his log book recorded an endless variety of flights. And then there was radio - one colleague said he had arguably the most distinctive voice on the Manitoba airwaves. At one time he was the voice artist for the Manitoba Planetariums productions. At CJOB Glen handled every announcing duty imaginable. And when a newsman or the traffic reporter needed a bird’s eye view, he could pilot them to the heart of the action. Glen helped establish CJNU’s predecessor CKVN. At CJNU Glen wrote and voiced and recorded announcements at his home studio and helped immeasurably as a mentor and contributor to the “On Air” handbook to guide operators and announcers.

John Murphy was born and raised in Montreal. He began his fifty year career in Oshawa in 1954 and has been renowned as one of Canada’s most popular and influential country radio DJs. His ear for a “hit” record was often the catalyst to breaking the latest release at a national level for a Canadian country music artist. John was named National Country Music DJ of the year in 1976 and took home the MACA Broadcaster of the Year Award in 1989, 1990 and 1991. John was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Association Hall of Fame in 2009. He worked as a writer for the Tommy Hunter Show in 1978 and spent 8 years with the Winnipeg Free Press as a country music columnist in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Johnny Murphy hosted evenings at CKVN and CHNR from the mid 90s.

Ernie (Ernest Charles) Mutimer was born in Winnipeg, served in WWII as an RCAF Navigator, returning to Winnipeg and St. John’s College before going on to the Lorne Greene Radio Academy in Toronto. His first radio position was at CJRL Kenora, but Winnipeg beckoned with a job as a producer for CBC’s new television station. In the mid 60’s he spent two years in Malaya helping establish their tv broadcasting service followed by three years in Trinidad and Tobago with UNESCO Communications. Ernie was one of the group of retired media people who set up CKVN in 1995 to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. For the next decade, he had a regular stint on the CKVN/CHNR playing his favourite music of the 1930s and 1940s.

James (Jim) Pappas was born in Winnipeg and graduated from Kelvin High School in 1960. Jim served as co-chair for both the 75th and 100th reunions of Kelvin. Following graduation from high school, Jim attended United College. Jim spent more than 40 years in the Fashion Industry and served as manager at Kelekis, a family restaurant. He served on the boards of RMTS, Rainbow Stage and Dry Cold Products. In 2013 Jim received Winnipeg’s North End B.I.Z. Award for his involvement in promoting local businesses.
Jim had a deep appreciation of music and in particular music from Broadway and the movies. This love of music led him to become part of the CJNU family. His involvement at the radio station was more than just an announcer on his Monday afternoon show :A Class Act”. He served on the Board of Directors, was chair of the Promotions Committee, served as co-chair of the annual Pledge Drive, worked in sales and was instrumental in obtaining many gifts and prizes for giveaways for the station. Jim was awarded the Garry Robertson Builder award at the 2021 annual general meeting for his outstanding contributions.

Ron (Ronald Lynn) Rochester worked at CKSL in London, ON as a part time operator and production manager, at CHFI in Toronto as an operator, at TCN TV9 in Sydney, Australia as a switcher, director and as a Video Tape editor. He also worked at CJOE in London, ON as a production Manager, at CKCO TV in Kitchener as a Master Control Switcher and finally at CKVN, and CHNR as a producer. His connection with prominent Ontario broadcaster Lyman Potts, founder of the Canadian Talent Library, resulted in this huge musical resource being available to CJNU. Ron helped put CJNU on the air, and then handled the station’s computer programming as well as being an operator/producer until he moved to Kingston shortly before he passed away.

(Allan) Wayne Rogers was born and raised in Winnipeg and attended Elmwood High School. After graduation, Wayne followed several career paths including being a counsellor at Stony Mountain Institution, being part of the early years of Main Street project and working for the family flower business. Ultimately, however, Wayne’s path brought him to his destiny - Variety, the Children’s Charity where he started as a volunteer before becoming its Executive Director until he retired in 2014. During his retirement years, he helped other not-for-profit organizations including serving as Executive Director of Friends of Elmwood Cemetery. Wayne served on the Board of Directors for the Reh-Fit Foundation. A lifelong music fan - Elvis in particular - Wayne served on the Board of Directors for CJNU from 2016 until his unexpected passing. Wayne led several major CJNU events, including the station's participation in the annual Teddy Bears Picnic and helped coordinate the annual CJNU Pledge Drive.

Germaine Stevens was born near Qu’Appelle Valley in Saskatchewan, one of nine children. She moved to Winnipeg and worked for AEI Communications where she met her husband Earl. Germaine liked country dancing and bowling. Germaine joined the volunteer staff of CJNU in 2007, becoming the first Volunteer Coordinator - where she both recruited new volunteers and scheduled their shifts.

Larry Updike was born in Ontario. He was ordained at age 21 and began working in radio to supplement his ministerial income. After moving to Winnipeg he landed a show on 97.5 FM in 1982. In 1995 he went to CJOB where he helped create an evening talk show, hosted a drive home show, then moved to the morning show where he remained for 9 years. After a brief retirement he became the spokesperson for Siloam Mission. He returned to the airwaves as the voice of Up To Speed on CBC. Larry was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2009, received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the U of W and was a golden Jubilee Medal recipient for his work with the War Amps. He was also an advocate for individuals with autism. Larry performed in retirement residences and personal care homes with his band B-Side Apostles. After his retirement Larry returned to the air as a volunteer host with CJNU as well as serving on the Board of Directors and on the Programming Committee.

Bob (Robert Lawrence) Washington was born in Wadena, SK. His love of broadcasting led him to Moose Jaw, Winnipeg, Montreal, and back to Winnipeg working on both CKRC and CJOB. He and Tom Ashmore will be remembered for Wash and Ash reading the funnies on CKRC Sunday mornings. Bob also became known worldwide as the voice of K-Tel when he began doing spots for TV. Bob volunteered wherever there was a need whether it be telethons, the Red River Ex, Pan Am games, Meals on Wheels, etc. Bob also did broadcasts on radio station CKVN in Winnipeg before moving to BC.

Donald Robert (Don) Willcox was born in Regina but always considered Bulyea to be his home town. After finishing high school, Don took a job in 1951 with the Hudson’s Bay Company as a junior clerk. His career with HBC and later know as the Northwest Company lasted 47 years. The job took him to places like Winnipeg, Montreal and Edmonton. His final move was back to Winnipeg in 1984 where he and his wife, Olive, raised their family. Don spent much of his time volunteering for a variety of organizations. He was with Scouts Canada for 30 years, Fort Whyte Centre for over 25 years, the Winnipeg Police Service, the Edmonton Classical Guitar Society and with the Edmonton and Winnipeg Jazz Societies. Don was also a long time volunteer with CJNU as an operator. Many listeners enjoyed the Don (Don Milne) and Don (Don Willcox) show on Monday afternoons.

Trevor (Dan) Wood was born Apr 24 1930 in Winnipeg. As a child the family lived a nomadic life, moving from one location to another across Western Canada. Dan had a lifelong interest in railways, train travel and collecting railway memorabilia. His earliest involvement in broadcasting was in Winnipeg as a member of Eaton’s Good Deed Radio Club, singing and playing guitar. Many years later he became the producer of the Good Deeds Club. Dan became a radio announcer and producer for many private radio stations until finally settling at CBC Winnipeg. He was a three time OHIO award winner for his work with radio programs for the Manitoba School broadcasts in the 1970’s. After his retirement in 1985 he became involved with the Golden Age of Radio in Winnipeg. He enjoyed sharing selections from his huge collection of vintage records from the earliest days of broadcasting. He also was well known for his presentation of late night radio drams on radio station CKVN.

Kenneth (Ken) Evans Wray worked as a technician at CBC from 1960 to 1994. He was a general sound technician in studio and master control until 1968, then worked on Information Radio mainly on news and sports from its inception in 1968 to 1994. Ken started in radio at a time, pre-computer, when a technical operator/engineer was a highly valued and essential professional in any major broadcasting operation. After retiring from CBC, Ken worked at Piston Ring. From 2000, Ken was a technical producer with CKVN, CHNR and CJNU. Ken was definitely the winner of CJNU’s “best dressed” award.