Newfoundland humanitarian and broadcaster Elmer Harris dies

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Elmer Harris, a long-time radio broadcaster and humanitarian from Newfoundland and Labrador, has died at the age of 71.

The married father of two died today in St. John’s after a lengthy illness.

Harris started out as a rookie reporter and eventually became senior vice-president of VOCM radio in St. John’s, where he worked for more than 40 years.

He was the first Newfoundlander elected as the national president of the Radio Television News Directors Association of Canada, and was also a recipient of the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Harris was involved in the launch of several foundations in the province, including the Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Children’s Wish Foundation and the Joseph R. Smallwood Foundation.

After his retirement from broadcasting in 2000, Harris went on to receive several national awards for his humanitarian work, including the Queen Elizabeth Silver Jubilee Medal in 2003 and the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award in 2005.