(obit, photo courtesy CBC)

George Finstad broke into broadcasting at CKUA in his home town of Edmonton in 1953. But he quit for a year to make some money operating a dredge on the eastern shore of Great Bear Lake. He returned to broadcasting to work in varying capacities as he continued his apprenticeship in cities such as Lloydminster, Victoria and Vancouver, where he joined CBC in 1964. Finstad first moved to Toronto in 1965 as a summer replacement. After his stint he returned to Vancouver and, among other things, became the special feature reporter for the 1967 centennial year celebrations in British Columbia. In 1968, George returned to Toronto where he became weekend anchor on The National News, and with co-host Joan Watson, formed the original team on the CBC program, Marketplace. George also backed-up Lloyd Robertson, who was the weekday anchor of The National News at the time.

George once said the most challenging moment in his career occured in October 1970 when he went on national television to recount the killing by kidnappers of Quebec Labour Minister Pierre LaPorte. Without a script and in a calm, professional manner, Finstad kept a stunned Canadian public aware of events as reports reached CBC TV newsrooms.

George's voice can be heard doing the narration on many fine Television productions over the years. One in particular was the acclaimed documentary entitled Who Owns the Sea? - which he narrated with Gordon Pinsent. A specially edited version of this program was later shown at United Nations environmental meetings held in Stockholm, Geneva and New York. Those meetings led to the Law of the Sea Conference in 1975.

Finstad was nominated for an Actra Award as Best Public Affairs Broadcaster for his work as co-host of Marketplace. He was teamed with Joan Watson until he left the program in 1977 to take a job in private radio in Montreal. He later returned to CBC Television in Montreal, where he worked in television news. He retired from the CBC in 1990.

George passed away in Toronto on Friday, May 30, 2008. He leaves his wife, Betty; children Laurie, Rob, Mark, Kathy and Kim; and grandchildren, Emily, Julian, Mitchell and Rachael. Following his wishes, the family will hold a private service of remembrance next week.

I remember Finstad on the old CBC National News at 11pm.  He and Count Floyd as the tandem.

I remember George Finstad from the early 60's CFAX 800AM Victoria, when the station signed off at dusk to allow KGO 810 from San Francisco a clear[er] channel to rule the west coast coast airwaves from Mexico to Alaska and east to the Rockies, and on a good night.....

George was not only a great journalist and news reader, but a super fine gentleman. My old pal John Ashbridge used to do a great George Finstad and the news" imitation... where are you John?
thanks for those fine memories George!
Mike Easton

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