Ben Meisner, broadcasting icon, dies after short battle with cancer
Meisner was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer earlier this week while on a fishing trip in Manitoba
Longtime broadcaster Ben Meisner has died at the age of 76, according to a report from 250 News, the online news site he founded based out of Prince George, B.C.
The site reported Meisner died in the early hours of Thursday, April 2 at a hospital in Winnipeg after he fell ill on a fishing trip earlier this week.
He was told it was a life threatening and uncommon form of cancer.
Meisner's wife, Elaine — who is the publisher of 250 News — and their children Reg and Kim were at his side when he died.
"I'm surprised by it, actually a little bit stunned by it … it happened so quick," said Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall, who has known Meisner both personally and professionally for 15 years.
"He could be a little gruff. He's tested me more than once, but that's his job."
Ben Meisner June 3, 1938 - April 2, 2015, a friend, a journalist, a man that cared deeply about northern BC. We'll miss you! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bcpoli?src=hash">#bcpoli</a>
—@patbellbcAlong with so many in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CityofPG?src=hash">#CityofPG</a> and beyond, I will miss Ben Meisner’s voice, warmth, and wisdom. <a href="http://t.co/ySw3FcXgUM">http://t.co/ySw3FcXgUM</a>
—@christyclarkbcBen Meisner was a broadcasting icon who gave me my start in Prince George. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. <a href="http://t.co/CYiH383Aqd">http://t.co/CYiH383Aqd</a>
—@JamesMoore_orgMeisner had a career in broadcasting that spanned 60 years and worked for stations in Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta before moving to Kamloops, B.C. and later, to Prince George, B.C.
In Prince George, he hosted the Meisner Program on CKPG for more than two decades. He was known for his signature phrase, "and that's one man's opinion."
He was the recipient of the Queen's Jubilee Medal and the Radio Television Digital News Association's Lifetime Achievement Award.