Voice of the North Falls Silent
Ben Meisner’s funeral is set for Saturday, April 18th 2 pm at the Prince George Civic Centre.
Winnipeg, Manitoba – Ben Meisner, known as the Voice of the North, has passed away following a short, and courageous battle with cancer.
He died in the Health Science Centre hospital in Winnipeg in the early hours of April 2nd, with his wife Elaine, son Reg and daughter Kim (Burns) at his side.
After falling ill while on an ice fishing trip in Manitoba, Ben was adamant about coming home to Prince George. Knowing there was no cure for his condition, he directed his care team in Winnipeg, to focus on doing whatever was necessary to ensure he could achieve that goal. As it became clear to him that his condition was not going to improve enough to allow that move to happen, he made notes on his goodbyes, and insisted the people of Prince George and Northern B.C. be thanked for everything they had done for him over the more than 40 years he lived in the region and for the thousands of emails, texts, comments on 250News and facebook which offered prayers and support during his illness.
He also wanted to thank those who had worked so hard to try and get him back to Prince George as quickly as possible.
Born in Maryfield Saskatchewan on June 3rd 1938, he was the youngest of four children born to William Meisner and Anna Wolowska. He would move to Winnipeg in the early ’50’s where he worked as an office boy at the United Grain Growers. He eventually began a career in broadcasting at radio station CKDM in Dauphin Manitoba, a start that would launch a career that would span 60 years.
Over the years, his career would see him work in Winnipeg Manitoba, Toronto Ontario, Yorkton Saskatchewan, manage a radio and television station in Red Deer and in Kamloops, before moving to Prince George, where he hosted the Meisner Program on CKPG for nearly a quarter of a century in addition to operating other businesses.
He has written columns for the Prince George Citizen, the Prince George Free Press, hosted a talk show on CFIS FM, and launched his own independent internet website, 250News.
Ben Meisner was also a Senior Bencher with the Law Society of BC, a recipient of the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals and a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from the Radio, Television and Digital News Directors Association of Canada.
Ben is survived by his wife Elaine (Macdonald), son Reg (Cynthia), daughter Kim Burns (Tony) grandson Derek Meisner (Tanya), daughter Kelly Gair (Michael) and grandson Will Royrock, brother Bill (Leona) of Hinton Alberta, brother Ron (Marge) and sister Trudy Perkins both of Winnipeg Manitoba, brother-in-law Gordon (Macdonald) in Cape Breton and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized.
http://www.250news.com/2015/04/02/meisner-finally-coming-home/
A hard-nosed, take no prisoners newsman who looked at today’s talking point re-writes offered by the supposed “cream of the crop” journalists with disdain.
He went for the throat, went for the truth and supported the person who had a valid point but had no voice or vehicle to rattle the bushes.
The players, political and otherwise, of today who are getting a free pass from many in the media would not hold up well under a Meisner spotlight.
Excellent news guy who loved the buzz of the pursuit and success of landing the scoop.
Loved by the community and region he served for the No BS stand.
Good man who will be missed by many.
So sorry to hear of Ben’s passing. My sincere condolences to Elaine and the family. As Don mentions above, there was no question – Ben was one of the ‘old time’ newsmen – hard nosed, enquiring and a trusted voice in the community. I remember the day in the early 80’s when Ben, shortly after returning to Prince George I think, stopped by CKPG to see me as the News Director, in case there was an opening he could jump into. I didn’t have a spot for him at the time but it wasn’t long before Ben was back on the air and making his mark.
While the 250news.com site may seem like old hat these days – Ben was a pioneer when it came to on-line news … starting the site, gathering sponsors, setting up a reporting process and offering a voice to locals – haters and supporters alike – as always, telling it like it was.
He has truly left his mark and his legacy on Prince George, the broadcast community and the interior news world in general. Time now for rest, Ben. That’s -30-
So sorry to hear of Ben’s passing. I have some great memories of Ben and I together on air, mornings at CKRD, 1968 to 70. We also had fun off air, like being the team to be at shuffle board, next door at the Legion.
A true “News” guy to the core.
R.I.P my friend.
Yesterday, we said goodbye to an icon and legend, “The Voice of the North”, Ben Meisner. My friend of 40+ years was taken by cancer on April 2nd. I am a poor judge of numbers, but a very full house at the Prince George Civic Centre, likely 450 or so, joined as northerners to pay their respects. The ceremony was, as funerals go, wonderful. I was honoured to be both a speaker and a pallbearer. Ben was a rare, special man. He will be long remembered. Despite the somber nature of the day it was a delight to see soo many friends, previous coworkers and members of Ben’s family. Well done, Prince George, in your farewell. RIP buddy.
http://www.250news.com/2015/04/18/ben-meisner-the-voice-of-the-north/