Former Halifax broadcaster Rick Howe dies at 69
Former talk show host Rick Howe, a well-known voice and personality in Halifax radio broadcasting, has died. He was 69.
His death was reported Thursday morning on CityNews 95.7, which Howe retired from in 2021.
Howe had been battling cancer, which had forced him to retire just short of marking 50 years behind the microphone.
In 2022 he wrote his memoir Behind the Mic Five Decades Covering the News in the Maritimes.” Last fall he published his last book, Eyewitness: Atlantic Canadians Experience History In Their Own Words
He told SaltWire’s Sheldon MacLeod that year that being an author after five decades in radio made sense.
“I’m a natural talker and a natural storyteller, and it just started coming out,” he said.
Anna: Sad to hear Broadcasting Icon and friend Rick Howe has passed away. A few of us worked with Rick in the Pink Palace on Agricola St. for several years. Sending our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends from all of us The Mighty Q. Rick will be missed. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ThHGMqOTOL
— Q104Halifax (@Q104Halifax) February 1, 2024
Ever-opinionated, he wrote an opinion piece in SaltWire that year about the Nova Scotia’s decision to end all COVID-19 restriction at a time that cases were increasing in the province and the danger that posed to people who were immunocompromised.
Premier Tim Houston was amomg those remembering Howe on Social Media, calling him “one of the most recognizable voices on radio in our region.”
Rick Howe was one of the most recognizable voices on radio in our region. Over the years I always appreciated the time he gave me to come on his show and speak to his listeners. By the time he retired in 2021, he had worked in radio for almost 50 years. I’m sorry to see his… https://t.co/JwSSx7onfn pic.twitter.com/IXp4WFveN4
— Tim Houston (@TimHoustonNS) February 1, 2024
Howe first worked in New Brunswick before coming to Halifax. CityNews said he started his career in Campbellton and Newscastle, New Brunswick doing hockey play-by-play before going to CFBC in Saint John as a reporter. His move to Halifax took him to CJCH as news director, where he took over the station’s show “Hotline” before going to what is now CityNews 95.7
Howe is survived by his wife, longtime journalist Yvonne Colbert, and three sons.
