Obituary

In Loving Memory
Ed Mason
“Edmonton’s authoritative news voice”

On September 28, 2021, Ed passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side. He was 75 years old. He is survived by 3 daughters, Shawna (Scott), Carlie (Paul) and Larissa. 9 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, two of which were born this week. Ed was predeceased in 2020 by his loving wife of over 50 years, Carole, as well as his grandson Samuel. He was also predeceased by his two cherished daughters, Carrie-Anne (1996) and Melanie (2009), his parents Hilda & James and his in-laws Agnes & Frank.

Ed was born in Newcastle, England and immigrated with his parents to Canada at a young age. They settled in Flin Flon, MB, where Ed developed a knack for tinkering with electronics, as well as his keen ear for music. He learned to play the guitar and was the first lead guitarist with the Flin Flon band The Tempests. At the age of 17 Ed was hired as a “jock of all trades” at a hometown radio station. One of his responsibilities was covering the noon hour while the announcer had his lunch. It was during the lunch hour one fateful day, November 22, 1963, when president Kennedy was shot at 12:30 pm. Ed found himself trying to make sense of the flurry of activity on the teletype machine, and sharing this critical news with the listeners. This pivotal moment set Ed off on his path to becoming a radio legend. There are numerous stories detailing Ed’s incredible life as a news broadcaster and those are readily available. Professionalism, honesty, sensitivity, and integrity are terms frequently used to describe Ed. Former colleagues also talk about his kindness, his mentorship, his leadership and his wickedly dry sense of humour. Listeners say that his reporting conveyed comfort, familiarity and the sense of talking with a good friend. Interacting with Ed’s listeners brought him much joy and our family is appreciative and honoured by the outpouring of support. Ed had a way of using his voice to tell a story which would create a vivid picture in listeners minds. Ed was humble and would lament that his best days as a broadcaster meant the worst days of someone’s life. One story that shook him to his core was the tragedy in Mayerthorpe where four RCMP officers lost their lives in the line of duty. The echo of Ed reading out Brock Myrol’s high school poem to this day still sends shivers down the spine. Up until the time of his death, Ed maintained a close relationship with law enforcement, even becoming an honorary member of the RCMP veteran’s association.

Ed was a family man. Despite having to go to bed by 8:00pm and up by 3:00am, Ed carved out time to spend with Carole & the girls. He proudly brought them to Klondike Days media events, backstage at concerts and they even rode around Alberta in the CHQT motorhome. Ed loved to take the family out on the open road for day trips, as well as extended holidays out to BC. As the girls grew up and entered into new phases of their lives, Ed flourished in his role as grandpa.

In addition to his many attributes, Ed was a remarkable photographer. He has a large following from the photography community. His photos were second only to the expressive narrative he would pen for each picture.

As many people are unaware, in 2018 Ed was diagnosed with advanced non-melanoma skin cancer, which required years of aggressive treatment. Despite debilitating pain and disfigurement, Ed remained stoic & positive until his final breath. Ed felt blessed for his incredible team of doctors & medical professionals managing his care. Our family wishes to thank Dr. Kurian Joseph for initiating the surgical referral and managing Ed’s radiation treatment. To Dr. David Williams & Dr. Adil Ladak, you are brilliant surgeons but you also treated Ed with dignity and kindness. Thank you. To Dr. John Walker, aka the original Research Rockstar, thank you for facilitating immunotherapy treatment and for your dedication to research & subsequent advancement in the treatment of skin cancer.

Thank you to Dr. Dusang and the Strathcona HC nurses. We also wish to thank the healthcare heroes of the UAH OR, 3C2 critical care / burn unit, and 3E4. Albertans should feel fortunate to have world class public healthcare close to home.

Ed did not want to have a service. A private family burial to occur at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, directed to skin cancer research, or the charity of your choice.

Use the links below to view some stories about Ed’s life. 
Global News/ Bob Layton
Grant Ainsley
J’Lyn Nye

Sign Offs

Ed Mason, 75, on Sept. 28. Mason started in radio as a host at “Club 590? CFAR Flin Flon, MB in 1963. He quickly ascended to morning drive at CHTM Thomson, making stops at CKSA Lloydminster, CHAT Medicine Hat, CFPA Thunder Bay, and CHOV Pembroke throughout the remainder of the ’60s. In 1970, he joined CKDA Victoria where he rose to the position of news director. The CHUM newsroom in Toronto followed in 1974 where he only stayed a year before heading back west to Edmonton where he would go on to spend the remainder of his career. Mason joined the morning drive show at CHQT Edmonton in Feb. 1975, also serving as news director. After the station was acquired by Corus Entertainment, Mason eventually moved over to become the morning voice of news on sister station, 630 CHED, in 2005. Over the years, Mason earned the nickname “Uncle Eddie” or “Uncle Ed.” In addition to anchoring, he was a long-serving police reporter, known for his vast inside contacts. Notably, Mason landed an exclusive interview in 1979 that went worldwide after he was able to get through to the U.S. Embassy in Tehran where staff were being held hostage. Mason retired from Corus Radio in Aug. 2014 after nearly 50 years on-air. In 2013, he was recognized with the RTNDA’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Published in Broadcast Dialogue on September 30, 2021