Year Born: 1917
Year Died: 2012
Year of Induction: 1988
Pioneer – Member of CAB Hall of Fame
Nelson, Blair (1917-2012)
Following his honourable discharge with the rank of Major after five years of service with the U.S. Marine Corps (3 years overseas), Blair Nelson began a long career in Canadian broadcasting when he joined CFQC Saskatoon in 1945 as Sales Manager for the company, which was then owned by A.A. Murphy and Sons, Ltd.
When CFQC-TV went on the air in 1954. Blair was appointed Managing Director, a post he held to June 1972, when CFQC Broadcasting Limited was incorporated and he was elected President.
When Russwood Broadcasting Limited (a subsidiary of Baton Broadcasting) was formed in 1986, and which included CFQC AM/TV, CKCK-TV Regina, CKOS/CICC-TV Yorkton and CKBI/CIPA-TV Prince Albert, Blair Nelson was appointed President, and served through 1989.
Blair was active in the community, serving eight years on the city council, and with many charities such as the Saskatoon Community Foundation where he served as a Director. He and his wife Mary raised a family of six while in Saskatoon.
Industry-wise, Blair was President of the Western Association of Broadcasters (1958 and 1968) and a Director of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. He was made a Life Member of the WAB, which in 1988 named him the Broadcaster of the Year.
Upon his retirement in 1989, the Nelson family moved to Vancouver.
In 1988, Blair Nelson was inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame.
Blair Nelson died in British Columbia on May 15th 2012.
Written by Pip Wedge – April, 1996