Long-time CKCO personality Gary McLaren dies at 92

Local TV legend, Gary McLaren, has died after decades on CKCO-TV. Former colleagues call him a trailblazer known for his kindness and patience.

A local television legend has died. Gary McLaren, a familiar face on CKCO-TV for decades, passed away at his home at the age of 92.

McLaren began working at CKCO, now CTV Kitchener, in 1957 and remained there until his retirement in 1994. He anchored the 6 p.m. newscast for many years during the station’s well-known “red jacket days.”

Over the course of his career, McLaren interviewed nearly every prime minister from John Diefenbaker to Jean Chrétien. He also served as news director and assignment editor.

Former colleagues remember McLaren as the consummate journalist with a sharp news sense. They describe him as a mentor to dozens of aspiring broadcasters, known for his kindness, patience and encouragement.

He was also considered a trailblazer for producing and hosting Sunday AM, which colleagues recall as being years ahead of its time in weekend morning news and current affairs programming.

Another former employee passes

Last weekend, Joe Ulmer, another former CKCO-TV employee passed away at the age of 70. He worked as a technical operator for nearly 40 years and retired in 2017. Former colleagues said he was loved by many and a constant source of a good laugh.