Peter Coade Retires

Folks in the Maritimes, who want to get a comprehensive weather forecast, probably tune in to reports on CBC by Peter Coade.
Or, if you happened to live decades ago in Truro, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L., or even Toronto, chances are you heard him on local radio.
Peter is retiring today, celebrating 54 years of continuous service as a meteorologist.

In 2013, he was awarded the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a weather broadcaster, which of course has continued until today.
His first appearance on CBC television was back in the late 1950s, when one day he job shadowed the legendary Maritimes weatherman, Rube Hornstein. He has been 'hooked on weather' ever since.
He has seen many changes since he first joined the 'Dominon Weather Office,' beginning with using chalk or markers on weather maps for black-and-white TV, preparing digital maps for colour TV and sending reports via Twitter.
I first met Peter in the early 1960s (just following his marriage to my cousin, Donna) and he related a number of anecdotes about presenting the weather on radio in Truro.
Little did we know he would later work at Toronto Island Airport and present on 'big-time' radio, as staff meteorologist for Canada's most popular station, CFRB.
(At the time, with such legendary personalities as Wally Crouter, Bill Stephenson, Betty Kennedy and Gordon Sinclair, CFRB practically owned radio in Toronto.)
Peter also served as meteorologist for the Canadian International Air Show in Toronto for many years.
On radio and TV, Peter could always be counted on to give clear and interesting weather forecasts and background information, including the differences among mist, drizzle, fog (and something called 'sea smoke’), and even such dazzling phenomena as a 'blue moon' and the Aurora Borealis.
His wide expertise was particularly crucial during blizzards and hurricanes, when he would present hourly reports by phone, often using emergency power to gather and present his material.
Peter was also interesting to work with, as he sometimes got to show his 'droll' sense of humour.
Many of his 'come back' lines to colleagues -- delivered deadpan, live, on the air -- were so clever that many would sport that 'deer-in-the-headlights' look!
We send our thanks and congratulations to Peter and Donna, as they 'ride off into the sunset,' knowing full well the scientific explanation of that red sunset!