A former broadcaster familiar to many television news viewers in southwestern Ontario has died.
Long-time CKCO-CTV reporter Rick Smith passed away on April 2, at the age of 79.
According to his obituary, Smith was the Sarnia-Lambton reporter for the station for 30 years.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said he knew Smith throughout his entire career.
"He was always fair, he was informed, he was professional. He told so many different stories, from politics, to great events in the community. He was personally always a pleasure to deal with," Bradley.
Bradley recalls many of Smith's stories being broadcast nationally.
"He was a good reporter, and respected, and I do know he could have left this community and went to a bigger market. He chose not to. He loved the community and he loved people."
Bradley said he kept in touch with Smith after he retired, and Smith contributed to the city's Heritage Committee.
Mayor Bradley shared the news of Smith's death in a Facebook post on Saturday.
Smith's former co-worker Cory McCrindle commented on the post, saying it was a "huge loss for Sarnia."
"Rick had a tremendous knowledge of the area and a genuine enthusiasm for telling the stories of the people there. And he was a lot of fun to work with. He had a great sense of humour. My deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and all those who knew him," McCrindle wrote.
A memorial service will be held on May 1 at St. Giles Presbyterian Church on Lakeshore Road in Sarnia.