KINGSTON, ON – Greg Hinton, vice-president and general manager of Bell Media Radio – Brockville/Kingston died Tuesday at his home on Howe Island after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 54.
Hinton has been a radio professional since 1986 and began working for CHUM Radio (now Bell Media Radio) in 1988. For the past 13 years, he served as the VP and GM of Brockville's two radio stations (104.9 JRfm and 103.7 BOB-FM) and Kingston's two radio stations (98.3 Fly-FM and 98.9 The Drive). He was responsible for helping to transform 98.3 FLY FM into a perennial #1 radio station in Kingston, and for overseeing the launch of 98.9 The Drive, Kingston's Essential Alternative in 2007, reads a statement issued by Bell Media. In Brockville he was instrumental in keeping the city's only two local radio stations intensely community focused.
His earlier career highlights include serving as an on-air personality, as well as program director, music director, promotions director, and station manager. During his entire radio career, Hinton was heavily involved in the Kingston, Brockville, and Thousand Islands communities.
"Greg has played an integral role in the success of Bell Media's Kingston and Brockville radio stations over his 30-year career, demonstrating an unrivaled commitment to the radio broadcasting business and his community," said Dave Daigle, regional vice-president, Ontario and Atlantic, in the statement. "Greg took great pride in growing on-air talent, serving as a mentor to many now working across the country. We are deeply saddened by this loss. He will be sorely missed."
Hinton is survived by his wife Allison, daughters Jessica, Lyla, and Ivy, and son Joshua.
A notice in the Windsor Star says that friends and colleagues will be welcomed by his family on January 28 at the Gordon F. Tompkins Funeral Home in Kingston between 1:00 – 3:00 PM ET.
