August 5, 2020
TORONTO — Peter Rakobowchuk, a journalist with Canada’s national news agency whose high energy delivery was instantly recognizable to decades of listeners, has died.
More widely known by his radio moniker Peter Ray — a supervisor early on told him it sounded smoother — the irrepressible Rakobowchuk had been undergoing chemotherapy for liver cancer. He was 71.
“He had such a distinctive voice that no name was required,” said Rose Kingdon, broadcast director at The Canadian Press.
In fact, according to those who were there, guests at his wedding to his wife Pat Enborg three decades ago clamoured for him to do his famous sign off when he got up to respond to the roasts.
“Do the sign-off, do the sign-off,” they chanted when he picked up the microphone. To much applause, Rakobowchuk boomed: “Peter Ray, Montreal.”
Born in Verdun, Que., Rakobowchuk began his career as a DJ with various private radio outlets, known at one point as “Rockin’ Peter Ray.” In February 1979, he joined Broadcast News, a subsidiary of The Canadian Press, in Toronto. He transferred to the Ottawa bureau 18 months later, spending four years there before moving to Montreal, where, apart from a six-year stint covering the legislature in Quebec City, he remained.
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Class guy, and a solid pro. RIP.
Was always a fan. Such a great reporter.
A total pro
I worked with Peter at BN Toronto — one of the nicest guys I ever met in this industry. Had a hell of a great sense of humour as well!
A legendary voice from Montreal. His work was top notch. Total pro!