Year Born:
1939
Year of Induction:
2002
Member of CAB Hall of Fame
Lawrence, Jerry (1939- )
Jerry Lawrence entered radio broadcasting in 1959 as an operator at CJCH Halifax. In 1964, he became an on-air host as a fill-in for a Saturday night country show – thereafter taking on similar roles in other week-end programs. This led to his being promoted to morning man on CJCH. It was the beginning of a very successful career that over a period of 30 years would take him to CHNS and CHFX. Before he ultimately retired, his signature HELLO METRO show had aired for 20 years.
Jerry fully embodied the spirit of public service, donating countless hours to dozens of local charities through auctions, bingos and other endeavours. A paraplegic himself since 1951, Jerry gave a great deal of support to new paraplegics at the rehab centre in Halifax. He spearheaded the local fund-raising drive for Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion world tour, and wheeled with Mr. Hansen in the Halifax metro area.
Jerry also took his commitment to public service into the public arena, serving for 4 years as an alderman for the City of Halifax, and for 15 years as a member of the Nova Scotia Legislature, six of which were as a Minister in the Cabinet.
A recipient of many honours, Jerry was given the 1975 Earl Spicer Award as Halifax/Dartmouth’s most outstanding citizen; the 1976 Vanier Award as one of five outstanding young Canadians; the 1980 Stairs Award as Nova Scotia’s outstanding paraplegic: the 1988 Ice Capades Good Skate Award for community involvement, and in 1995 the Canada Medal awarded by the Governor General.
After retiring from radio, Jerry continued to devote time to the community as a member of the Sackville Sports Heritage Foundation, and assisting many other community clubs in their fundraising activities. In 2005 he was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal by the Premier of Nova Scotia, and was inducted into the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007, for his work since 1967 as a promoter, announcer and participant in various auto racing events in the Maritimes.
In 2002, Jerry Lawrence was inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame.