Calgary broadcast legend Darrel Janz dies at 83

Longtime Calgary broadcast legend Darrel Janz has died at 83.

CTV Calgary reported his death Saturday, and a social media post from a family member states he passed in the morning.

“It is with a heavy heart that we, his family announce, that our father and Calgary broadcasting legend Darrel Janz, went to be with his Saviour this morning at the age of 83,” a LinkedIn post from Shannon Lee Rae reads.

“We rejoice that he finished his race with courage and an undiminished faith. There will be a memorial service to be held at a later date. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff of the Foothills Hospital, especially the Tom Baker Centre.”

Janz anchored and reported at CTV Calgary for decades, and spent 61 years on air. He was with CTV for 50 years.

He told 660 News in 2013 that the work he’s most proud of was when he travelled to Serbia and Croatia in 1995, near the end of the region’s war and made a documentary on Operation Christmas Child.

“Seeing the joy that it brought to those kids who had been through four and a half years of hell in the war and many were in refugee towns and schools and so that was the most memorable of all the things I’ve been personally involved with,” he said at the time.

He said another major highlight was covering Calgary’s successful bid for the 1988 Winter Olympics.

When Janz wasn’t in the anchor’s chair, he also taught for nearly 27 years. First at SAIT for 10 years, and over 15 years at Mount Royal University, pushing his students to be themselves, be natural, and talk and write as they talk.

Janz hosted the show Legacy Makers on Yes TV for a couple of seasons with Jacqueline Clemenz. She and the crew with the show gave their condolences to his family, friends, and “everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”

“Bill and Jacqueline Clements along with the TCF4 Productions and Legacy Makers teams, are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our friend, mentor and inspiration, Darrel Janz, co-host of LEGACY MAKERS,” the post reads.

“A mainstay in Alberta’s broadcasting community for decades, Darrel’s warmth, dedication, and passion for storytelling resonated with viewers across the entire country. He left a lasting impact that will continue to inspire us all. It was an honour to work alongside a broadcasting legend, but he was so much more. He was a true gentleman, humble and generous with his time, support and expertise. As we continue the program that he loved and helped to build, we know that his spirit will live on in every episode.”

More to come