Don Chevrier was known for his versatility during his lengthy broadcasting career, as he called football, baseball, curling, hockey, golf, boxing and Olympic sports for the CBC and other networks. (Steve Nesius/Canadian Press)

Don Chevrier, a popular sports announcer best known as the original television voice of the Toronto Blue Jays, died on Monday.

He was 69.

Chevrier, who was born in Toronto but lived in Palm Harbor, Fla., suffered from a blood disorder and was recently admitted to hospital before being released a few days later.

A legendary figure in Canadian broadcasting circles, Chevrier amazed television viewers and radio listeners alike with his unique voice and encyclopaedic knowledge of sports.

CBCSports.ca spoke with several of Chevrier's friends and colleagues in the media.

Here's a selection of their comments:

"When you really think about the Blue Jays, Don Chevrier being the first on air TV broadcaster was a part of the foundation of the club."
-- Paul Godfrey, Blue Jays chief executive officer and president

"Don Chevrier is a hero in our business. We're a country that doesn't celebrate our tradition and our excellence, and in the broadcasting business, Don Chevrier stands alone."
-- Brian Williams, former CBC Sports broadcaster

"Don was the smoothest in the business and a great storyteller."
-- Scott Moore, executive director of CBC Sports

"He covered every sport. Cricket, I imagine, was the only sport he didn't broadcast, and even there he might have had his toe in the water. I don't know for sure, but it wouldn't surprise me."
-- Tom McKee, who worked with Don Chevrier on CBC's broadcasts of Blue Jay games during the club's first season in 1977

"He will go down as one of those Canadian icons in broadcasting. There's no doubt about it."
-- Hockey Night in Canada analyst Greg Millen, who worked with Don Chevrier for three seasons calling Ottawa Senators games in the 1990s

"I first met him when I began my career in the early 1970s and the thing that immediately struck me about Chevy was his voice. That voice of his was just incredible."
-- CBC Sports broadcaster Steve Armitage

"You don't get them any better than Don Chevrier. He had one of the most distinguished and recognized voices in all of broadcasting, never mind sports. It was such an honour to have Chevy as the Blue Jays' first television broadcaster."
-- Paul Godfrey

"There are a million guys with great voices. He knew how to use it and he had the brains behind it. He was an intelligent guy. There are guys with great voices who aren't that bright. Don was a pro and he had a great voice, but he was so much more than a great voice."
-- Brian Williams

"I travelled all across North America doing baseball broadcasts with him and I'll tell you one thing about Chevy - the poor guy never won the race to pay the pill. He knows that and if he's looking down on us right now he would admit it and be laughing, too. He had a unique ability to have to go to the washroom when the bill came."
-- Tom McKee

"He was a very talented broadcaster who could do any sport and was as steady as could be."
-- Greg Millen

"I saw what a kind, decent, understanding human being this man was during Tom Cheek's losing battle with cancer. There wasn't anyone who was a closer friend, there wasn't anyone that was closer to Tom and his family and provided the shoulder to cry on, the ear to listen, the friendship of being there day in and day out like Chevy."
-- Paul Godfrey

"He introduced me to Howard Cosell at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. Howard was doing boxing for ABC and Howard asked me if all Canadians were as good as Don Chevrier."
-- Brian Williams

"He was 'Mr. Broadcaster' in Canada, there's no doubt that. He was well loved and respected, and he was taken away from us way too early."
-- Paul Godfrey

"You could stick Don in any sport and he would come prepared, be professional and know what to say, and the key thing about Don was that he made those who worked with him better. Don Chevrier elevated those who worked with him."
-- Brian Williams

"He had a very mild-mannered approach to life and was one of the more decent people you'd want to meet."
-- Paul Godfrey

"He was a mentor to me for decades, and a help to so many people. He cared about the history of our business, the tradition of our business."
-- Brian Williams

"He was respected and well known, not only in Canada, but throughout North America. … Chris Berman of ESPN, the guy who makes up funny nicknames for everyone, once referred to him as Don 'See the U.S.A. in a' Chevrier. When Chris Berman gives you a nickname, you've made it."
-- Brian Williams