Bobby Alexander, the radio voice of Manitoulin and Algoma Moose Radio FM for the past 39 years, hosted his retirement final broadcast on Thursday.
The popular host of the morning broadcast on Moose FM radio based out of Elliot Lake officially retired from the job he took on in 1980. Alexander’s radio career spans some 42 years, including the time spent at the local radio station since moving to Elliot Lake in 1979 with then radio station CKNR AM.
At Thursday morning’s broadcast, the popular radio personality, received many personal emails, letters and telephone calls wishing him a happy retirement. Thursday’s program was also dotted with friends and dignitaries coming in to the station to wish him all the best.
The station, owned by Vista Radio, saw Alexander’s station manager and regional manager Steph Larouche help out during the broadcast, saying he was working as Bob’s secretary and not his boss, as congratulations flooded in.
“You’ve been nothing but class that’s what everybody seems to be conscientious about. You’ve been friendly, you’ve been kind, you’ve been genuine and classy,” Larouche said.
He will join his wife, Erika MacLellan who recently retired from the radio station after 36 years as its office manager and marketing executive.
Vista president Geoff Poulton sent a message to Alexander crediting him with “a level of investment in your community day in and day out and year in and year out that is spectacular. We’re going to miss you.”
In his career Alexander has hosted a number of successful fundraisers, covered news and weather for the station in the morning. His voice has been an integral part of the coffee crowd, people at work, driving their vehicles and sitting at home in the morning. Many of the well wishes came from people who have become friends over the years.
Alexander has seen the boom and bust times experienced in Elliot from the early 1980s when the mines were in full operation to their closure in the 1990s and the loss of hundreds of jobs. He’s also seen the town being rejuvenated through the efforts of retirement living to the collapse of the Algo Mall in 2012 that claimed two lives, an event he reported on.
Alexander recalled the day he took over the morning post and got a call from a listener who was disappointed that he was replacing the previous morning host, Doug Blackwood. The lady told him she would no longer be listening to the station, he recalled during Thursday’s broadcast.
Larouche said despite Alexander’s retirement he believes Bobby will be back to help out with future fundraisers.
A tearful Alexander gave his final address in his own rendition of the song Thanks for the Memories reflecting on the good times and bad times.
“When the mall collapsed it was so tough to announce but we made it through together and I thank you so much, so thanks for the memories,” he told his audience.
“Think of the positive side try and help somebody out when you’re down to help someone out - it will make you feel better,” he said.