Supplied
Alex Trebek (left) and Howie Meeker (right) both passed away on Nov. 8, 2020.
On Sunday, Alex Trebek, the host of Jeopardy! for almost four decades, died while surrounded by family and friends. He was 80.
Also on Sunday, Howie Meeker, Stanley Cup-winner and Canadian TV hockey analyst, died in Nanaimo General Hospital. He was 97.
For many CHEK viewers, tuning into Jeopardy! was a nightly event with many fond memories of Trebek. And many Islanders remember Meeker either from his hockey career, his broadcasting career or from his time living in Parksville on Vancouver Island where he was active in fundraising for the B.C. Guide Dog Services.
Here are some of the tributes we received from CHEK viewers:
And until we meet again, God bless you and good night. Hold it right there. – Keith N.
Alex is from Sudbury…my home town. Good man! – Derrick R.
What a loss for Canada 🇨🇦 and the world. They were both amazing icons. Prayers for both families. – Yolla K.
R.I.P Alex and Howie, two great legends – Genie P.
Howie Meeker was my hockey coach at Prince of Wales College in St. John’s, N.L. and his sports store was very close to our drug store. Last ran into him at Empress hotel in 1991 with Ron MacLean. They were headed to Vancouver to do a game on TV. He remembered me and our family friend Rita Squires whose kids played with his kids in St. Phillips, N.L. – Bill M.
I remember Howie too from those days in St. John’s and his sports store close to Parsons Drugs. I remember my dad bringing home a hula hoop from the sports store- late 50s around the time Hawaii joined the U.S.A. Howie and his family lived around the corner from us. My brother and I played with his kids. – Karen G.
It is like losing two brothers. Both were great in their own field – Ruth W.
I tried out for Jeopardy! in Calgary years ago! Didn’t make it because at that time the test was mostly about American history, which, as a young person, I did not know about. I wanted to meet Alex so badly because I had been following his career since Music Hop and Reach for the Top and was a faithful Jeopardy fan! So sad to hear he is gone forever! – Alexis F.
I worked on a house beside Howie’s house and his son also worked with me, His house was very unique with a great ocean view in Qualicum – Ryan G.
I met Howie a few years ago. He was very gracious with the fanfare – Kim P.
CHEK News
