1915–2007
York Cemetery
Section 16 Lot 1808
Percy Saltzman, born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on March 15, 1915, made history as the first person to appear on Canadian English-language television and the country’s first TV weatherman. When CBC-TV launched on September 8, 1952, Saltzman stepped in front of the camera and changed Canadian broadcasting forever.
A meteorologist by training, Saltzman joined the Dominion Weather Service in 1943 during World War II and remained there for 25 years. His expertise and engaging style brought the science of meteorology into Canadian homes. Known for his chalkboard forecasts, signature toss of the chalk and ability to present without notes or teleprompters, he delivered thousands of weather reports and interviewed more than 1,000 notable figures over the course of his broadcasting career. He guided Canadians through major events like Hurricane Hazel (1954) and co-hosted CBC’s coverage of the 1969 Moon landing.
Saltzman started techniques that are now standard in weather reporting, introducing radar and satellite imagery, road conditions and forest fire updates. His broadcasting career spanned three decades across CBC, CTV’s Canada AM, CITY-TV and Global TV. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Order of Canada (2002), inducted into the Broadcast Hall of Fame (2004) and received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2002).
Percy Saltzman died in Toronto on January 15, 2007, at age 91. His legacy lives on in every weather forecast seen today, as a broadcaster and a meteorologist. Today, his final resting place at York Cemetery bears Toronto’s myriad weather conditions with a steady dignity resonant with his contributions in life.
Source:
• Wikipedia – Percy Saltzman
• Mount Pleasant Group – Percy Saltzman
• Broadcasting Hall of Fame – Percy Saltzman
Photo: Neil Armstrong (1930–2012), commander of NASA's Apollo 11 mission, descends the ladder of the Apollo Lunar Module to become the first human to set foot on the surface of the Moon. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
