www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 16, 2007 - 33 Broadcaster Jim Paulson remembered as `a gentleman' By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The AM 740 radio team is in shock after the sudden death of its long-time ambassador and host Jim Paulson. The Mississauga resident died Tuesday of heart failure. He was 67. "It's a terrible shock," said program director Gene Stevens. "I mean, Jim, easily the most-loved person at the station, and that's not because he just died. "He really was everyone's friend. He was a positive, upbeat, optimistic cheerleader. He was just a gentleman." A more than 40-year veteran of radio, Paulson started with AM 740 back in 1991 when it was known as CHWO. He died Tuesday doing something he loved. On-location at Erin Mills Town Centre in Mississauga, Paulson was preparing to do a live report. He collapsed just before he was scheduled to go on air, Stevens said. An ambulance was on site immediately from Credit Valley Hospital, which is across the street from the mall. Paulson was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead between 2:30 and 3 p.m. Tuesday. "The family here really misses him," said Stevens. "He was one of the nicest people I've ever met," added afternoon news anchor Neal Sandy. "Friendly, cheerful, upbeat, you know, just a great guy. We all loved him dearly. "Jim was one of those guys, top of the list." The Swing It show, which Paulson usually hosts every Thursday from 7 11 p.m., was instead last night a tribute to its former host. Stevens says a longer tribute is being put together, but "that will take time." After nearly half a century Jim Paulson -- 1941-2007. in the business, Paulson's career reads like a history lesson of popular music. A native of Edmonton, Alberta, he got his start in the 1960s with CJCA in Vancouver and CKRC in Winnipeg. In the 1970s, Paulson moved to Toronto to work for CKEY, CHFI, CING FM-108 and finally, CHWO AM 740. "He'd been in radio in all the major markets," said Stevens. "His career and his life spanned some of the most popular times in popular music." Paulson interviewed legends like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Sophia Loren and Lou Rawls. He was, Stevens said, "a celebrity interviewer of the first degree." In a recent interview on AM 740, rock-and-roll icon Bobby Curtola credited Paulson with giving his career a major boost, calling him "Mister rock and roll in Winnipeg." But Paulson would never mention those celebrity interviews or moments, unless you asked. "He was always very humble you'd have to pry it out of him," said Stevens. "He would never boast about the people he met and the people he interviewed." In addition to his Thursday night Swing It show, Paulson also hosted `Saturday Sinatra' from 6 7 p.m. His last interview, Stevens noted, "which is an irony," was with Frank Sinatra Junior, who he had also met numerous times. Paulson won't only be missed on the airwaves, though. His most recent job with AM 740 was as its ambassador, a role "perfectly suited to his personality," Stevens said. "He was friendly and outgoing and very, very respectful when he went to talk to advertisers, clients or other show business people." Paulson made his mark on the community in many ways, including as a track-side announcer at the Molson Indy, master of ceremonies at the annual Terry Fox Runs and emcee of the Annual Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival. Self-proclaimed "radio buff" and former long-time Oakville Beaver community editor Wilma Blokhuis called Paulson a "well-known and visible member in the community who was proud of the radio station." "I kept bumping into him at various events. It was always a hug and a little kiss on the cheek," she said. "He had that deep, baritone voice, and he was very kind. He was the same man on the radio and in person. He was a very kindhearted man." Added Stevens, "He was just so wellloved." There's evidence of that love and respect on the online Southern Ontario / WNY Radio TV Forum, where numerous former co-workers have responded to the news of Paulson's death. Many said they'll remember him as a mentor, a man with a lively personality, sense of humour, no ego and a "golden voice" that one former colleague compared to velvet. "A nicer man you could not meet," AM 1250 host Bruce Marshall writes. It's a comment echoed by many. "The industry and audience has lost one of the best. There will never be a replacement for Jim Paulson," reads a posting by Toronto-broadcaster Don Andrews. Paulson is survived by his son, Todd, who flew in from Sweden Wednesday and is in charge of funeral arrangements. 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