You are invited to tune in for special programming on Friday, June 5. It will be a day of memories, music, laughter, and tears as we remember our dear Baba, who passed away on May 14, 2026.
We have already received so many messages from listeners. Some are tender wishes of condolence for Baba’s loved ones. Others are stories of connection—times that people met Baba at a festival, or heard their musical suggestion on the air, accompanied by kind words from the man himself.
To hear Baba’s voice on the radio was to be invited into a world of playfulness, empathy, and joy. There was no meanness in him. He was grateful for his life and appreciated this community. His musical taste was shaped by curiosity. He was interesting because he was interested. Interested in music, in people, in life.
We miss him so much, but we have also heard many people say that they feel that Baba is still with us. We hope you’ll join us throughout the day on Friday, June 5 as we remember Baba.
“The medium of radio was perfect for Baba, and Baba was perfect for the medium of radio. Radio is a really good translator of emotion and sincerity. With an email, sometimes you can misinterpret the tone; it doesn’t always translate. But radio is intimate, and you can tell if someone is genuine. Baba’s whole being, his loving nature, his kindness, all of it—the beauty that was Baba—translated perfectly through radio. It’s why he was so beloved and popular. People knew that he was real. All that beauty and love just came through the airwaves.” – Ken Regan, CKUA CEO from 1997 – 2017
“Baba and a couple of other announcers were hired in the fall of 2003, because we decided to go 24 hours, for the 75th anniversary of CKUA. Baba was hired to fill an overnight slot. He loved radio, so he didn’t mind that it was the middle of the night. One time, we took him to Calgary. I think it was for a fundraiser. The Calgary crew got a great big hall in Calgary. It was probably a curling rink or something. When Baba walked out and I introduced him, the place erupted. He was so touched.” – Brian Dunsmore, CKUA Program Director from 1999 – 2010
“I was very fortunate to work with Baba. Randomly running into him in the hallways, and getting a hug, was always a welcome reset to my day. And he had a way of providing the perfect, goofy soundtrack to my life. The day after my grandma died, I was driving along the Grand Valley Road in Rocky View County, listening to Baba. I was thinking about my grandma’s last days and how funny she was (shortly before she passed, she suddenly opened her eyes and cried ‘Straight to Jesus!’). I thought about how much she would have loved driving the Grand Valley in her red Buick Skylark, and how cool she was to hang out with. And what song does Baba play next? ‘Let Me Ride in Your Big Cadillac’ by Blaze Foley. Well it was as if my grandma was sitting right next to Baba in Main Control. There was no one like him.” – Karen Howell, CKUA Events and Volunteer Coordinator
“Thank you, Baba, for sharing your light with us in this world. Thank you for modeling openness, curiosity, gentleness, softness and kindness in life, community, music, and radio. Thank you for modeling a rock ‘n’ roll spirit of fun, joking, laughter, and goodness. Thank you for showing us what good radio is and the importance of connection and belonging. We will miss you. You will always be with us.” – Amy van Keeken, CKUA host
“I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Baba. Baba was a big part of my connection to CKUA. I always looked forward to listening to his program for years. I found that no matter how bad my day might be hearing Baba’s voice, musical selections or his philosophy of life brought me joy and comfort. He was a truly kind and genuine human being who left a mark on Alberta culture that will never be matched as far as I am concerned. Condolences to the CKUA family. Thank you for having Baba come into my life.” – Colin Hill, CKUA listener
“Baba was a lovely spirit. His musical taste had no limits, just like his heart.” – Allison Brock, CKUA host
“Back in the mid 2000s I worked a long stretch of night shifts. I was still fairly new to Calgary and hadn’t yet discovered CKUA. One night I was cruising around the radio dial looking for something worth listening to. I don’t recall the song that stopped me on CKUA, but I stopped. By the end of that shift, I was hooked. I made a request from Baba one night not long after that. The song I requested was ‘Creeque Alley’ by the Mamas and the Papas. I couldn’t believe that he played it within about 15 minutes. That cemented my relationship with CKUA.” – Mike McMahon, CKUA listener
“There was no facade. Baba was very engaged in other people, and where they were coming from. He was generous on all fronts. A warm, generous human being. Non-judgmental. ‘A sweet good morning to you’ was his catchphrase when he stepped onto the air. It was the first thing he said. That will permeate everyone’s sense of who he was, because he was sweet.” – Tony King, CKUA host, interviewed by CBC Radio
“His sense of connectedness with his listeners, the world and himself was a touchstone. His soft words of wisdom gave comfort when we were having some of life’s tough moments. And oh the great joy he brought to us all with his amazing blends of music from far and wide.” – Laurel and Tom MacNair, CKUA listeners
“It’s like we’ve always known each other. He was a great communicator, a big, soft gentle man. A good soul. You can talk about his choice of music, but for me it’s the man. He was a good man. He was interested in everybody, and in all things.” – Andy Donnelly, CKUA host
“I’m saddened to hear that this wonderful soul is not with us any longer. Baba was the reason that I became a dedicated listener to CKUA. I was going through a difficult time in my life in the 90’s and had trouble sleeping. One night I decided to turn on CKUA in the middle of the night to see if they were playing something relaxing. What I got was Baba being Baba. Truly kind words coming from his precious heart and delivered in his calming tones. I was hooked. I’ve missed him since he retired but now knowing he’s gone, somehow I feel a deeper loss. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and of course his colleagues.” – Rick Edwards, CKUA listener
“He defined CKUA for generations.” – James Cherewick, CKUA listener
“As always when someone new enters the CKUA universe there is a period when old timers (like me) wonder how they will navigate this unique environment and make their mark. From the first time I heard Baba, I was extra curious. He didn’t ‘sound’ like a traditional announcer; he certainly did not have a style that said, ‘I’m a radio person,’ but what he did have, in spades, was personality and an ability to connect that was undeniable. And connect he did! With coworkers, listeners, people at events… and it was always the same. Gentle, humble, slyly humorous, winning in so many ways. People were drawn to him and he was drawn to them.” – Cam Hayden, CKUA host
“Baba. Calming soul, reassuring voice. He was part show host, part philosopher. You never knew what you’d hear on his show or what he’d say about. No matter the music he featured, he always found ways to remind us that we are all human and that is enough, we are enough. So long, Baba. Thank you for bringing me so much joy as a listener.” – Rona Altrows, CKUA listener
“Baba was truly a legend in Alberta radio. I had the great privilege of working alongside him for over a decade, and the privilege of calling him my friend. Baba’s kindness and tenderness was truly who he was as a human; I believe this is what resonated with so many listeners, from hosting overnights, to Baba’s Grooves, to Mid-Morning Mojo. His eclectic music choices worked even when they were something that really shouldn’t have. When Baba was programming, he always put the listener first, imagining who was listening in the mid morning (as demonstrated by the many kids songs he played for the parents at home with young children). He made radio sound easy, as if he was riffing each break. But Baba prepared! He just had the talent of making his deep notes and knowledge sound as if he was uniting the music and the universe together. There are so many classic Baba moments; anytime we were out in public and someone recognized his voice; without fail they would turn around to ask if it really was Baba then immediately state ‘I didn’t expect you to be SO TALL!’ The magic that was Baba can be carried on by all of us.” – Arianne Smith-Piquette, Content Director
Thanks to all the listeners and friends who have sent in messages of remembrance and encouragement. We are reading all of them. If you have a memory or musical suggestion to share in honour of Baba, please send it to feedback@ckua.com
