A sad anniversary
There’s a sombre undertone in the 680 newsroom today. It was six years ago, on this date, that we lost our colleague and friend, Jim Morris. Jim was our police reporter, respected and appreciated by all of those who knew him - so much so that police sent a rare honour guard to Jim’s funeral, which was packed and overflowing with mourners.
I didn’t know Jim very well, but I thought the world of his work and talked to him every morning when he was in the field. I was a news anchor on CHFI at that time and provided support to the 680News morning show team, so I did whatever was needed; writing, researching, following up on tips and answering the phone. So when Jim phoned in to be put on the air with his reports, I would usually be the person who picked up. We’d have a brief chat, most often a little laugh, and then I’d pass his line on for business.
Jim was a champion for worthy causes, too. Even though he was very ill with lung cancer, he was still working the phones and getting support for the Big Brothers. I did get the chance to bowl on his team once - many of my co-workers went out for every event and continue to bowl on a team in his memory to this day and raise funds for an organization he believed in.
Jim made a huge impact on the success of 680News at that time. And when Jim told you something, you believed it, because he was a fact-checking demon whose word was as good as gold. He remained positive and energetic the whole time he was sick, for his family and for his friends and colleagues. On behalf of those who did know Jim well, on and off the air, we haven’t forgotten him - not at all. And we’re all thinking of him today.
March 5th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Hi Lisa;
My uncle told me to visit the site. I can’t thank you enough for never forgetting. The fact that you would take the time to write this piece is so touching. You have no idea what your message means to me and the kids, Jim’s brothers and especially his dad. We miss Jim everyday.
Thank you so much.
Mary-Louise