It is a sad day here at Dougall Media. Company president Fraser Dougall passed away Wednesday evening at the age of 73.
The long-time community leader, businessman and broadcaster has owned and operated local television and radio stations for 50 years.
Fraser Dougall was born in Port Arthur in 1942. He began his career in broadcasting in 1958, and wore several hats over those years.
His father, Hector Dougall, a decorated First World War veteran, was responsible for starting local television and radio broadcast operations in the Lakehead. But when he passed away in 1960, the young Fraser Dougall was suddenly thrust into a position of responsibility.
In 1963, after finishing university and marrying his wife Elizabeth, he became president of CKPR Radio and Television, at 21. From there, the company steadily grew.
In 1972, a CTV station was added, making Dougall the first "twin-stick" broadcast owner in Canada.
Over the next four decades, Dougall built and directed a diversified group of companies.
A weekly newspaper and three more radio stations were added to the media group, and the company now includes Internet properties as well.
In 1996, he was named Executive of the Year at the Northern Ontario Business Awards. In 2007, he presided over a historic occasion, as his beloved CKPR Radio, which first hit the airwaves in 1931, made the switch from AM to FM radio.
Dougall has received numerous special awards over the years, for his support and service with the Salvation Army, Rotary Club, Magnus Theatre, Lakehead University, and helping establish the Community Auditorium.
His stations helped promote Thunder Bay as the City with the Giant Heart. In 2010, Dougall received the province's highest official honour - being presented with the Order of Ontario by Lt.-Gov. David Onley.
It was recognition both for his lengthy career in broadcasting, and for being a philanthropist who promotes and supports community interests and local projects by providing free broadcast time on his television and radio stations.
In his final years, Dougall continued to give back through a wide array of charitable contributions. He continued to receive honours himself, being given a star on the Victoriaville Walk of Fame in 2012.
His final honour came earlier in 2015, when he and a group of community volunteers were presented with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for their contribution to Thunder Bay.
