A life spent in local media

by C. Scott Holland

His life revolved around the media, and for over half a century, he was a vital part of the local media.

Whether it was radio, newspaper and television, his roles in each one reflected professionalism to the highest degree. His love of his two communities — Essex (his birthplace and childhood home) and Leamington (his place of residence) was paramount.

In the wake of his death last week, Bill Gay has left behind an incredible impression upon the people he’s known.

His death has affected his many alumni friends at CHYR and throughout the media world in Essex County. Former CHYR DJ and program director, Chuck Reynolds (a.k.a. Paul Bunnett-Jones), was a long-time friend and said, “I am devastated. We had developed a strong friendship during my 22 years at the station and that friendship extended right up until the last time we talked just days before his passing.”

Tributes were pouring in from CHYR alumni and everyone felt the same. Bill had a gift to listen to you, to offer support and wisdom. His demeanor was calm, sensible and full of hope.

Bill Gay was a young man when he first started working at Leamington’s original radio station, CJSP, in 1965, reading news and spinning records. He soon moved into the advertising department where he was responsible for not only getting area businesses to buy ads, but was in charge of the weekend operators who came in on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Sunday crews did everything from manning the sound mixer for the church services, to operating the main studio board and airing the special weekly ethnic shows, hockey and football contests.

Bill Gay (left) with the late Wayne McLean at a CHYR reunion in recent years.

Photo by Scott Holland

Bill was a big part of the radio station’s growth and change as it expanded its power to CHYR with capabilities to broadcast 24 hours a day in 1967. He was still an integral part of the station when it became an FM station in the mid-1990s and remained there until 2001.

However at that time, he did not stop being an important part of local media. He shifted his focus to writing editorial pieces about the community for the Leamington Post and when CFTV was formed, he became the face and voice of their newscasts for many years.

He even started his own media company called Media Marketing.

As an Essex native, he was a member of a group of heritage-minded citizens who helped raise money and restore the Essex Railway station - a place which he loved and helped run often manning the station in case visitors came. For several decades he was a member of the Windsor-Essex County Historical Society and Heritage Essex.

For the last dozen years he had been a member of the Leamington & Mersea Historical Society and had been its Train Station Restoration chairperson. He kept his ties to Essex, and was a past Essex councillor, a chairperson of the Essex Fun Fest and with the aid of Bill Sherk, put together some car shows as part of the Fun Fest.

HIs dual Essex-Leamington connection was only strengthened further by his passion for this area’s history. His footprint has been left and it is one that will not be washed away.

He is survived by his wife Marlene Markham- Gay, his children Elizabeth and James Gay as well as step-children Kelly Kickham, Todd Markham and Denise Gillan and their families.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.