Walt Limatainen - Gone But Not Forgotten

By Ben Meisner

I believe it is important that we acknowledge a journalist who, for the most part, has gone unnoticed even in his death.

Walt Limatainen died last week at the age of 64. He had suffered from the complications of MD for many years. He was, in my mind, a very principled journalist, a label that I am sure is a handle that anyone that knew him would say.

Walt was a rural guy, he loved the outdoors, loved to fish loved to hunt, but above all just plain loved the world around him. He could see in nature items and events that we let pass by every day.  There is little question in the minds of the top producers of Television in Canada that Walt could have had it all, he chose instead to live in Terrace, moving then to Regina hoping that the flat ground would help his MD and then back to Prince George.

You may remember him from his TV show Skeena Journal, or 53 North which he produced at CKPG up until the MD had taken away his ability to function in a normal manner.  It was Walt who got the B.C. Wildlife Federation to launch the Fishing Forever program which was designed to provide fishing opportunities for people with special needs. It provides a day of supervised fishing activities for individuals who are physically challenged.

I tried on numerous occasions to get Walt to ghost write for Opinion250, he was a hard digger and always got it right. When he called he did to tell you how you should write and how you should always get both sides of the story. He was a credit to our industry, but more over he was a tower of strength to himself.

This industry will miss Walt Limatainen, there will be quiet gathering at his home this weekend, no fan fare, nothing fancy and he wouldn’t want it any other way. Walt was from a dying breed; the story must be told and told in a truthful manner. You were a pillar to us all Walt, we will miss you.

I’m Meisner and that’s One Man’s opinion.

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