A former owner of CHOK radio has died.
Donald Bruce "Rick" Richardson of London, Ontario died on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at the age of 83.
Mr. Richardson left London at the age of 17 to join the Royal Canadian Navy where he served on nine ships and three shore establishments including the Iroquois, a world tour with the Duke Of Edinburgh on HM Yacht Britannia, and the opening of the St Lawrence Seaway with her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and President Eisenhower on board.
After retiring from naval service he began a successful sales career and was introduced to the world of radio.
Returning to London, Mr. Richardson purchased CJOE in 1972, rebranded and reformatted overnight, making the new CJBK the number one radio station. He then established the first country and western station in southwestern Ontario, BX-93, and in 1979 took ownership of Sarnia's CHOK 1070 AM.
His renovation of the radio station building on Front Street in 1982, was viewed as visionary.
Mr. Richardson sold CHOK to Twig Communications Ltd. in 1987.
Gathering visitation is set for Saturday, February 2 at 10:30 a.m. with a service to follow at St. Paul's Cathedral, 472 Richmond St., London Ontario.