OTTAWA – CTV Ottawa broadcasting icon Max Keeping passed away Thursday in Ottawa after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 73.
Born in Grand Bank, NL, Keeping began his 37-year career as an anchor with CJOH (now CTV Ottawa) in 1972, building his reputation through the years as one of the most trustworthy figures in the local news industry, reads a statement by Bell Media. A passionate community advocate and philanthropist, Keeping's tireless work on behalf of charities, service groups, neighbourhoods and schools helped raise more than $100 million. In 1995 he founded The Max Keeping Foundation, assisting organizations such as the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
"Max left an indelible mark on CTV Ottawa and the community he tirelessly served. His extraordinary contributions were driven by a selfless desire to help improve the lives of others. His loss is felt by all of us at CTV and Bell Media," said Richard Gray, Bell Media’s VP and GM of Radio and TV for Ottawa and Pembroke, in the statement. "Following his retirement in 2010, Max stayed on as the station's community ambassador until 2012 – a fitting role as he never stopped giving back. Max was a mentor and friend to many and always took time to help others. He will be sorely missed."
According to an Ottawa Citizen report, Keeping was the most watched dinner-hour news anchor in Eastern Ontario, before his last newscast in 2010.
Among his many awards and honours, Keeping received the Order of Canada, an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa, the key to the City of Ottawa, and had a hospital wing at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) named after him.
