Peterborough radio legend John Muir has passed away

Peterborough radio legend John Kenneth Muir has died.

As well as being the long-time general manager of Trent Radio, the student-run radio station of Trent University, Muir was an audio engineer, community leader, mentor, and arts advocate.

He passed away early Monday morning (June 3) according to several posts on social media, including one from Trent Radio:

The 63-year-old Muir had been ill for some time. He leaves behind his wife Yvonne Lai and his children Cora and Iris.

Muir’s technical training began in the 1970s in London, England, when he apprenticed as recording technician at the Putney Bridge Studio of Electronic Music Studios, while working as a gaffer at amplified music concerts.

Upon returning to Canada and entering Trent University in the fall of 1975, he became involved in radio and produced and directed many hours of radio drama, news, and programming. In 1978, he became one of the founding directors of Trent Radio when it applied for incorporation.

He was instrumental in establishing Trent Radio’s first studio in 1979, moving the organization to its current location on George Street in 1985 and making the application to the CRTC for Trent Radio’s first broadcast licence.

After 13 years, he left Trent Radio to work as the general manager of a music festival with R. Murray Schafer, as a freelance concert engineer, and as the administrator for Artspace, which was then an artist-run centre for visual art, performance, and communication.

He returned to Trent Radio in August 1994 as general manager, focusing on producing exceptional radio through social advocacy and the cultural avant-garde. He also worked for 12 years as a commercial radio announcer.

He was a founding member of the Canadian Society for Independent Radio Production and the P.R. Community and Student Association (Sadleir House Facility). In 2001, Muir was admitted to the Peterborough Pathway of Fame for his work in local broadcasting and the arts. In 2006, Miller and Barbara Chisholm established the John K. Muir Prize at Trent University.

Over the course of his career, Muir was heavily involved in Peterborough’s arts and culture scene, contributing to organizations such as Folk Under the Clock, the Kawartha Jazz Society, and the annual In from the Cold series of fundraising concerts.

As people learned of his passing on Monday morning, they posted tributes and memories on social media. Following are a sample of some of the public comments shared on Facebook and Twitter.

Rest In Peace, John Muir. Thinking of you, your family and the community you’ve left us in Ptbo through your work at @trentradio and @SadleirHouse. I’m going to miss you, my friend.

— Nick Ferrio (@ferrioinstereo) June 3, 2019

A very sad day for Peterborough. He was a passionate supporter of the arts, and will be greatly missed. https://t.co/xaKMkufghZ

— ElectricCityCC (@ECThreePtbo) June 3, 2019