R.I.P.: Toronto's Morning Host Wally Crouter

Wally Crouter, who served as morning host of Toronto radio station CFRB for 50 years, has died.

He was 92-years-of-age, according to the Toronto Star.

Crouter passed away peacefully in his sleep Monday according to the radio station, which is now known as Newstalk CFRB 1010 AM.

Crouter was born on Aug. 5, 1923, in Lindsay, Ont., and joined CFRB on Nov. 1, 1946 after a brief stint with CHEX in Peterborough.

Over the course of a half-century, he became one of CFRB’s most famous broadcasters and the city’s top-rated morning host.

“He was an icon in Toronto. Whenever there was a big story, like Hurricane Hazel or the opening of the subway, Wally was there. Everyone listened and wanted to be on the Wally Crouter morning show,” said Mike Bendixen, the station’s program director.

“Decade after decade, Wally brought this comforting tone to his audience as he unpacked the day’s news. It was like listening to a family or friend.”

Crouter retired exactly 50 years later, on Nov. 1, 1996. He was later inducted into the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame.

“It’s unheard of to have a career spanning that length, especially in radio,” said Bendixen. “He really was Canada’s longest-serving morning radio man.”

“He took morning radio and crafted his own show when he first came to CFRB at 23. His show became such a comforting, familiar experience for news every morning that his many listeners passed down his show from generation to generation,” said Bendixen.