Johnnie Walters

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-302876

Notes:

Lifetimes: Funny, quirky broadcaster was local TV personality

By Valerie Hill Special to the Record

In a 1980s episode of CKCO TV's "Trivia Company" host Johnnie Walters strolls down King Street in Kitchener, posing a real stumper of a question to pedestrians: Who was the last king of Italy?

It was King Victor Emmanuel III but, not surprisingly, no one approached by the microphone-wielding Johnnie had the answer. One woman wouldn't even get off the pay phone (remember them?) when he approached her, though she does crack jokes with Johnnie. Another woman kept stuffing her mouth with muffin as he was asking the question.

This was Johnnie's magic, the ability to capture the funniest, quirkiest moments with people he met, largely because they felt comfortable around him, felt drawn to his sense of fun.

Johnnie died on Feb. 26, two days after his 90th birthday. And what a legacy he left.

"He was a fantastically unique individual, not your standard broadcaster," said Don Willcox, the station's former program manager.

"He was an exuberant and creative personality, brilliantly goofy," added Willcox, noting that whether Johnnie was randomly phoning people from the phone book, or catching them on the streets, he made people in Waterloo Region feel they were part of the show.

Though he came across as a big personality, a real showman, in his downtime Johnnie was a quiet and humble man, said former colleague Linda Richards. He was good in the studio, but out on the street speaking to people he really shone, she said.

"He loved to be out doing pieces with people. He was so funny," said Linda.

"Trivia Company" ran from 1984 to 1988 and won a broadcasting award each year.

Johnnie was born Feb. 24, 1933, in Beamsville to Hungarian-born Irene Mayer and German-born John Walters, one of three boys. At 17 he started working at radio stations around southwestern Ontario and in London, he met Jackie Barnes, the station's music librarian. They married in 1958.

When he was offered jobs in the U.S., the couple left Canada, moving around as Johnnie hosted television and radio shows until settling in Cleveland, where their daughters Leigh and Aubrey were born and where Johnnie worked at WHK from 1959 to 1967.

The progressive rock station was credited with having a major role in sparking change in American popular music. Artists clamoured to be featured on the airwaves.

During his time in the U.S., Johnnie met John Lennon, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Sammy Davis Jr., and had lunch with Barbra Streisand and Bobby Kennedy. The couple were also friends of Rosemary Clooney and cuddled her nephew George when he was an infant.

Johnnie had career prospects in the U.S. and had been considered to host "The Newlywed Game" television show, said daughter Aubrey. But the couple decided to come back home to Ontario, closer to family, and moved to Waterloo, where he joined CKCO-TV.

Johnnie had pitched the idea of a new game show, "Horoscope Dollars," to Willcox and was hired.

"I was impressed with Johnnie's American (work) background," said Willcox.

Fran Pappert-Shannon, who portrayed "Romper Room's" Miss Fran, was a colleague and loved Johnnie's sense of humour. He was a man who "came alive in front of the cameras," she said.

"He was silly, he was fun, lots of energy," added Aubrey, noting he was a superb father, very warm and loving.

During his two decades at CKCO, Johnnie hosted several shows: "Horoscope Dollars" from 1974-76; "The Johnnie Walters Show," from 1976-81; "Tempo Ontario" from 1981-82; "Trivia Company" from 1983-87 and "Morning Magazine" from 1987-94.

His stories from an incredible career sparked the idea of writing his memoir. He did try, Aubrey said, but his mother's story of immigration, perseverance and spunk dominated his thoughts. He once told a reporter, "My mother entered the stage and pushed me off."

As he did with everything in his life, Johnnie didn't follow any prescribed format. Autobiographies are usually written by the person whose life is being told. But Johnnie chose to write his mother's story himself, calling her Zarah Petri in his retelling of her life.

"A Very Capable Life" was published in 2010 and won a national $10,000 prize, the Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction.

Irene was in her 90s when he pitched the idea, interviewing her over several months. By the time the book was done, Irene's mind was engulfed by Alzheimer's. She died at 96.

Johnnie was a good writer and was working on a novel. He also painted canvases in an impressionist style. The man just oozed creativity.

He retired from CKCO in 1994 at age 61, largely to help care for the widowed Irene. The couple moved to Kitchener 15 years ago. Jackie died in 2021.

"Family was everything to him," said Aubrey. "He laughed a lot, and laughed loudly."

Valerie Hill is a former Record reporter. She can be reached at vmhill296@gmail.com.

"Lifetimes: Funny, Quirky Broadcaster Was Local TV Personality". 2023. Therecord.Com. https://www.therecord.com/life/2023/03/19/lifetimes-funny-quirky-broadcaster-was-local-tv-personality.html.

Johnnie married Jacquelyn Ann "Jackie" Barnes 1958. Jacquelyn was born 1 Apr 1938; died 2 Sep 2021. [Group Sheet]

1. Leigh Walters
2. Aubrey Walters