Obituary for
J. Lyman Potts
J. Lyman Potts C.M.
Born in Regina November 11, 1916, Lyman Potts signed-off in Burlington, Ontario on Sunday, December 9th in his 103rd year. Doyen of Canadian broadcasting, a jack-of-all-trades who had done everything, Lyman was the last of the pioneers, best remembered for solving the problem which for radio’s first 40 years have baffled Parliament – how to make Canadian radio “Canadian”. In so doing, Lyman had developed the foundation for a Canadian recording industry and opened the world to Canadian musicians, singers and songsmiths to fame and fortune.
Lyman was a lifetime broadcaster, a kid who fought his way into radio in the 30s and whose ideas and innovations over many decades enhanced private radio’s role in serving Canada. But it was not until 1958 that Lyman’s ideas could be wholly realized. That was the year that the Diefenbaker government created the Board of Broadcast Governors (BBG) and cut the shackles under which the CBC had been permitted to stifle private broadcasters.
Among Lyman’s achievements was the creation of the Canadian Talent Library, which allowed radio stations to meet their Canadian content requirements. Ultimately, 265 albums were produced with over 3000 titles. He established Standard Radio News, a private station news network and co-founded the Canadian Communications Foundation which lives on at broadcasting-history.ca
Lyman’s honours included being the first private broadcaster to be appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. He received Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee Medal and Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and was the first recipient of the CARAS/JUNO Special Achievement Award “for his outstanding contribution to the Canadian Recording Industry.”
The eldest son of Joseph and Eva dePearl Potts (nee Warren), Lyman is survived by his son Joel in Burlington and his brother Jack (Pat) in Swift Current. Lyman was predeceased in 2008 by Michele, his wife of 68 years and, in 1993 by brother Dick. (Arrangements entrusted to SMITH’S FUNERAL HOME, BURLINGTON 905-632-3333.)
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de J Lyman
Potts 1916 2018.
Décès pour la Ville: , Province: Ontario
