Remembering Fred Latremouille
byMy mom’s old Pontiac had the best radio. Big buttons, a smooth turning dial, and an 8-track player where she slotted in a cassette converter. There were many trips to school and places like Surrey Place Mall that were soundtracked by the voices of Fred and Cathy on CFUN, where the two hosted a morning show from 1984 to 1993.
The on-air pair were married in 1987 and the names “Fred and Cathy” were so frequently mentioned that I always thought they were close personal friends of my mother (and everyone else’s mother). In 1993 when the show moved over to KISS FM, as did the audience who loyally tuned in every day for Latremornings.
Yesterday, the news broke that Fred Latremouille passed away at the age of 69. The Vancouver radio industry expressed their deepest condolences on social media and in various articles online. It wasn’t just sadness that I was reading about, it was heartbreak and complete devastation.
To me, Fred Latremouille’s voice was my childhood, through the car stereo speakers. To others, the man himself was an iconic broadcaster and co-worker, a mentor, and a friend.
“From his earliest days as a broadcaster, Fred Latremouille was known for his generosity to fellow broadcasters, as well as his willingness to encourage aspiring young talent wanting to make it in the profession. His work for charity included starting the Pan Pacific Christmas Wish Breakfast, which helped the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau raise funds for needy children, and has raises hundreds of thousands of dollars since its inception.
In November 2007, Fred Latremouille’s exceptional career in broadcasting was recognized by his induction into the CAB Hall of Fame.” [Canadian Communications Foundation]
https://twitter.com/michaeleckford/status/573599136181710848
Fred hadn’t been on the airways in Vancouver since 2007 but his voice is something an entire generation will remember and associate forever with their hometown.
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Thank you for writing this, Rebecca. He was a true gent who, even though he didn’t know me at all, immediately agreed to help me in my application video for BCIT Broadcasting back in the early 90s. I got the chance to thank him a few weeks ago on Facebook.
We will miss him but his voice lives on for so many of us.
Dear Fred, we had some great times together on the Malibu Contest trips back in the 60’s. I remember being so shocked when you left CFUN and went over to CKLG.
That was as big a trade as the Gretzky deal when he left Edmonton and went to L.A.
Since then, nothing is sacred.
God bless you.
I would like to attend your service, please have Cathy let me know when and where it will be and I will be there. I have many lovely memories of you.
Love you brother,
Reg Boaler xo
I met Fred with he moved from CFUN to CKLG. Fred was one of a kind, mentor, friend and a blast to be with nite after nite with Little Richard. Fred and I reconnected by email last year and promised to meet in an attempt to breed his SL with my Porsche.
Sadly that never happened. Miss you man.
Steve
Fred was my Brother in Lw for a decade and a close friend, since 1972.
He was one of the nicest and kindest, funniest and most talented people, I ever worked with.
He was also my best friend. I have been really shattered, even though I knew her was in deep water, no one told me how bad it was. He kept it from me. He knew I would be worried sick. Talk about amazing. STRONG.
It is an amazing thing to see one of my Radio Idols Steve Grossman here. Stevie Wonder was a demigod to us Uvic Radio wannabes. Thanks for being so amazing. Glad you knew Freddie. We were lucky to have worked with him.
What an era.
Fred was KING….
Steve, I trying to reach a Steve Grossman who went to Westmount High School in Westmount Que. Canada class of 1966.
We’re organizing a 50th WHS Reunion in July. If you ate a WHS graduate we’d like to invite you to attend. You can get info on FB at WHS Reunion group or email me