Friends, family and colleagues are planning a memorial and celebration of Lorne Saxberg’s life for Tuesday June 6 at 5 p.m. in the Glenn Gould Studio at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto.

Lorne was a broadcaster at CBC radio and television from 1978 and a long-time union activist. He died suddenly while on vacation in Thailand last weekend. At the time of his death, Lorne was on a secondment at NHK Japan as an announcer and trainer.

Click here to read messages of condolence from Lorne’s friends and colleagues.

Lorne is survived by his parents, Lorne and Joan Saxberg, his sisters Nancy Saxberg, Sandy Korkola (Jeff), nieces Olivia, Lauren, Madeleine and nephew Jesse, all of Thunder Bay, and his brother Bob, of Montreal. Lorne is also remembered by his dear friend David Kelley.

An award is being set up at Toronto’s Humber college in Lorne’s memory. Lorne taught part-time for a few years at the college’s School of Media Studies. The Lorne Saxberg Award for Excellence in Broadcasting will be given to a broadcast student in final year studies at Humber College who, in the opinion of faculty, has demonstrated a strong ability on air, supported by a strong ability to work closely with others in a collegial, positive, and a professional manner. Other qualities would include a strong work ethic, a sense of humour and grace under pressure.

Cheques, which will be acknowledged with a charitable receipt, should be made payable to “Humber Awards (Lorne Saxberg Scholarship)” and sent to: Awards Office, Room A101, Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, 205 Humber College Blvd, Toronto, Ontario, M9W 5L7.

A family funeral will be held in Thunder Bay on May 18th.