Jack Dennett
Encyclopedia
Jack Dennett was a Canadian radio
and television
announcer
. He began his career at the age of sixteen at Calgary
's CFAC doing odd jobs such as filing. He began filling in for the regular announcer, when he didn't show up for work. In 1935, Dennett began conducting hockey interviews of players in the Regina Senior Hockey League. He enlisted in the Canadian Forces
in 1940 but was soon discharged
due to suffering stomach ulcers. He returned to radio in Winnipeg
at CKRC
then shortly moved to Toronto in 1943 to take over newscasts. He eventually took over the full time slots in 1949. He became a regular on the radio and television broadcasts for the Saturday Night Imperial Esso Hockey, later Hockey Night in Canada
. He stopped broadcasting NHL radio games in 1962 and continued on in television. He was diagnosed with cancer
in 1975 and had surgery in January 1975 and returned to work and left just a month before his death. That month, he was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
. He is also notable for having interviewed more Prime Ministers than any other (seven) from R.B. Bennett to Pierre Trudeau
.
He is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto
.
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
announcer
Announcer
An announcer is a presenter who makes "announcements" in an audio medium or a physical location.-Television and other media:Some announcers work in television production , radio or filmmaking, usually providing narrations, news updates, station identification, or an introduction of a product in...
. He began his career at the age of sixteen at Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
's CFAC doing odd jobs such as filing. He began filling in for the regular announcer, when he didn't show up for work. In 1935, Dennett began conducting hockey interviews of players in the Regina Senior Hockey League. He enlisted in the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
in 1940 but was soon discharged
Military discharge
A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from their obligation to serve.-United States:Discharge or separation should not be confused with retirement; career U.S...
due to suffering stomach ulcers. He returned to radio in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
at CKRC
CFWM-FM
CFWM-FM is a radio station based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The station, broadcasting at 99.9 FM, uses the on-air brand and format Bob FM. Its studios are located at 1445 Pembina Highway, along with sister stations, FAB 94.3 and TSN Radio 1290 in Winnipeg....
then shortly moved to Toronto in 1943 to take over newscasts. He eventually took over the full time slots in 1949. He became a regular on the radio and television broadcasts for the Saturday Night Imperial Esso Hockey, later Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada is the branding used for CBC Sports' presentations of the National Hockey League...
. He stopped broadcasting NHL radio games in 1962 and continued on in television. He was diagnosed with cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in 1975 and had surgery in January 1975 and returned to work and left just a month before his death. That month, he was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is a hall of fame established in 1955 to "preserve the record of Canadian sports achievements and to promote a greater awareness of Canada's heritage of sport." It is located at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta...
. He is also notable for having interviewed more Prime Ministers than any other (seven) from R.B. Bennett to Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
.
He is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto
Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto
Mount Pleasant Cemetery is a cemetery located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.In the early 19th century, the only authorized cemeteries within the city of Toronto were limited to the members of either the Roman Catholic Church or the Church of England...
.