Lorne Saxberg
| |
|---|---|
| Born | August 6, 1958
Thunder Bay, Ontario
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| Died | May 6, 2006(2006-05-06) (aged 47)
Phuket, Thailand
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| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation(s) | journalist, broadcast news anchor |
Lorne Saxberg (August 6, 1958 – May 6, 2006) was a Canadian broadcast journalist for CBC Radio and CBC Newsworld. Saxberg was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario and first joined the CBC's radio arm.[1] As host of Ontario Morning in the late 1980s, he was known for his keen mind, calm demeanour, and melodious voice. "He had a full, rich voice not often heard in modern radio," said Canadian freelance broadcaster James Careless, who worked with Saxberg at Ontario Morning. "He was truly a class act both on and off the air."[citation needed]
Saxberg left Ontario Morning to become one of the original CBC Newsworld TV anchors from that network's start in 1989.[2] Saxberg served with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for 27 years and was popular with news audiences. He was also an active volunteer with the Canadian Media Guild.[1]
Saxberg received an Edward R. Murrow Award for his work on the 2005 coverage of the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.[1][2][3] Saxberg took a leave of absence from CBC Newsworld to work at Japan's NHK public broadcaster as a trainer and announcer from 2004.[1][2] He died in a snorkelling accident in Phuket, Thailand, where he was on vacation.[3] He was 47 years old.[1][2]
Ken Becker, a Newsworld producer who worked with Saxberg, said: "He was the consummate pro and an exceptional journalist...When he was in the anchor chair, you knew you could throw Lorne any story – from the outbreak of war to the birth of a panda at the zoo – and he'd deliver it to the viewer with exactly the right tone."[1]
"He brought to every story a vast knowledge on nearly every subject, a reporter's curiosity and an appreciation of fine writing," Becker said.[1] Once, following a report on the Russian precursor of Naked News, Saxberg began to remove his tie as he ended the newscast.[2]
Saxberg often returned home to visit his family, who bought a general store in the small town of Silver Islet in 1987. When home, Saxberg often worked in the store and as the summer resort town's harbourmaster.[2][3]
In Toronto, however, Saxberg – who was openly gay – was known for being playfully flamboyant with his wardrobe, often wearing a snakeskin jacket and leather pants when socializing with friends at bars in the Church and Wellesley area.[2]
