Gwyn "Jocko" Thomas (August 16, 1913 – May 5, 2010) was a crime reporter with CFRB and the Toronto Star.
Gwyn Thomas | |
|---|---|
 Jocko Thomas in the 1930s | |
| Born | August 16, 1913 |
| Died | May 5, 2010 (aged 96) North York, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Other names | Jocko |
| Occupation | Reporter |
| Years active | 1930s–1989 |
Born in Toronto, Thomas began his news career as a newsboy at the corner of Bathurst Street and Bloor Street in 1925.[1] After one year of high school, Thomas was hired by the Toronto Star as a copyboy in 1929.[2] He worked his way as a general reporter in the early 1930s to becoming the paper's crime reporter by 1939. In the 1960s, Thomas entered a new medium by becoming a radio crime reporter on CFRB.[3]
Thomas' career involved covering the minor criminal activities in Toronto's suburbs, but also famous criminal stories:
- Christie Pits race riots in 1933.
- Stanley Buckowski on death row at California's San Quentin prison (1951); and execution 1952.
- Boyd Gang
Widely remembered for his unique sign-off at the end of his live radio news reports: "This is Jocko Thomas of The Toronto Star reporting to CFRB... from police headquarters."
Retired in 1989, Thomas died at a long-term care facility in North York at the age of 96.[4]
Awards
edit- National Newspaper Awards (3)
- local police reporting awards (9)
- member of the Canadian News Hall of Fame (1995)
References
edit- ^ DiManno, Rosie (May 5, 2010). "Gwyn (Jocko) Thomas, 96: Legendary crime reporter". The Star. Toronto.
- ^ DiManno, Rosie (May 5, 2010). "Gwyn (Jocko) Thomas, 96: Legendary crime reporter". The Star. Toronto.
- ^ DiManno, Rosie (May 5, 2010). "Gwyn (Jocko) Thomas, 96: Legendary crime reporter". The Star. Toronto.
- ^ "Legendary reporter Gwyn (Jocko) Thomas dies". CBC.ca. 2010-05-07.