RUTTLE, Jack (John) Francis - Pioneer Canadian broadcaster and superb family man, Jack Ruttle died April 29, 2021 at Toronto Western Hospital as the result of a blood clot.
He leaves his wife Sheri, children Lisa (Gary), Mickey (Paul), Joe (April), John (Celia) and Charlotte (Jeremy) as well as step-children Stacey, Meredith (Andy), Rennie (Silvia), Braden (Sadie) and Gabrielle (Matt), 13 grandchildren and nine step-grandchildren.
He was born in Windsor, ON, October 31, 1936, to the late Anne Edna Purser Ruttle and Joseph Wickens Ruttle.
He was predeceased by brothers Bill and Patrick, sister Joanne Eagleson and his first wife Anne.
Jack loved the broadcasting business, baseball and jazz. His broadcasting career spanned almost 50 years, starting in 1956 as a staff announcer at CKBB Radio in Barrie, ON, moving up to program manager and also on-air work at CKBB company station CKVR-TV.
An opportunity to join CFTO-TV three months before it went on air took Jack to the promotion department of the Toronto station in 1960. He became promotion manager and then program manager before CFTO-TV owner Baton Broadcasting in 1970 appointed Jack vice president, programming for Baton and the CBC's CKLW-TV in Windsor, ON.
Jack moved to Ottawa in 1973 as president of Baton's CFGO-Radio. In 1975, he was approached by Standard Broadcasting to become vice president and general manager of CJOH-TV, Ottawa. In 1977, he joined Maclean Hunter as vice president of Calgary television station CFCN-TV. Then in 1979, CTV appointed Jack executive vice president of the TV network.
His final broadcast move came in 1987 when Power Corporation of Canada asked him to become president of Power's Kawartha Broadcasting CFMP-FM, CHEX-AM radio and CHEX-TV in Peterborough, ON. A year later, he was named vice chairman of Power Broadcasting.
In 1993, Jack moved back to Toronto to establish a consulting business with two colleagues and in 2000 he took on a four-year assignment to teach Management in the Media to students at Ryerson University, his old alma mater.
Jack played and coached baseball. He was a trumpet player with his own band while he was at school. He was a great storyteller, always enjoying the opportunity to meet and entertain new audiences.
He was a loyal friend, a true mensch, as one longtime associate said. But most important to him always were his wife, children and grandchildren.
Because of Covid restrictions, a small family service will take place. A family and friends reception is planned for a later date when great Jack anecdotes will be celebrated.
Donations to the UHN Foundation would be appreciated.
Please visit www.uhnfoundation.ca/tribute or call 416-603-5300.
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