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BORN
November 13, 1951
DIED
August 23, 2022
David BIRO Obituary
Dave's passion for the news was born in high school working for The Province. He studied broadcasting, and then took to the airwaves reading the news for CFVR, CJIB, and CKIQ in the interior before he landed his dream job at CKNW. He moved on to Broadcast News at Chek TV, CTV and CKVU TV where he won a George Foster Peabody Award in 1987 for the documentary Aids and You. Along the way he brought up a new generation of broadcasters, and even dabbled in government with the NDP. In 2011, Dave received a much-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award from the Radio-Television News Directors Association for his work in broadcasting and journalism. In his retirement, he came back to CBC Radio to read the news, just like in the early days.
What Dave valued even more than journalism was his family. He is survived by wife Olivia Groening, kids Jemma Radick (Jeremy), Steph Benford (Josh), Mike Biro (Cheryl); grandkids Dylan, Axel, Zoe, Bowie, Joseph, and Rebecca; step-kids Rebeca Dunn-Krahn (Tobias), Randal Dunn-Ramole (Abdul); and step-grandkids Stephen, Jerry, Sage & Sebastian.
He loved the outdoors; camping, fishing, and campfires in the woods were his favourite ways to pass the time. He was a classic rock devotee and was known to chase a touring band across the province for one more show. Dave was renowned for his sharp wit and resolute character. He will be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues who loved to be surprised by his unexpected one-liners.
Cancer is a real b*tch. Thank you to all the friends who reached out and offered support, and to Dr. Mark Thiessen, the doctors and nurses at the BC Cancer Clinic, Palliative Care and Hospice, and the Rexall pharmacy team (Admirals Rd) for their unending help during Dave's long illness.
The family will hold a private celebration under a tarp in the woods in recognition of Dave's passion for tarps (and the outdoors). In lieu of flowers, please donate to the BC Cancer Foundation.
Memories and Condolences
for David BIRO
30 Entries
Chris Lincoln
May 27, 2024
I´m surprised and saddened to learn that Dave is gone. I worked under him in the CKWX news room when he was the news director. He was highly organised and serious, yet somehow easy going all at once. He always gave me the idea that he supported what I was doing, and I really appreciated that.
Glen Slingerland
September 1, 2022
Such sad news. I have a lot of great memories working with Dave in Kelowna. He was a fantastic news person.
Dennis Moore
August 31, 2022
Condolences to the Biro Clan. Dave was my Assignment Editor at CHEK News and supervising me was no easy feat! Dave always treated me with respect and affection. Always open to ideas in the field and always had great news sense and patience. Dave was one of the best newsman and everyone will miss him. Many fond memories.
Marlene Groening
August 30, 2022
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Frank Martina
August 28, 2022
It was many years ago that we had the pleasure of having Dave join the CJIB news department on his way to an incredible journey in broadcasting. He has now made the last step of that journey and will be missed by all, in and out of broadcasting. A true class act and great talent. RIP Dave
Rhonda Fuller
August 27, 2022
I'm so sorry to hear about Dave's passing. He gave me my first job in TV many years ago and was always really kind. My condolences to all of Dave's family and friends.
Lisa Green
August 27, 2022
I was so very fortunate to have worked with Dave for a number of years. He touched so many people. A wonderful journalist and an even better human. Sending my best to Dave's family and his many, many friends.
Dennis Larcombe
August 27, 2022
It was a pleasure to know him, even for a short time.
george penwarn
August 26, 2022
I'm sorry to hear of Dave's passing, he was a fine gentleman.
Lee Mackenzie
August 26, 2022
I loved Dave the day I met him. As a colleague, he was focused and talented. As a friend he was truly delightful. Funny, honest, warm. He tried to present a gruff exterior but I was NEVER fooled. Thank you, Dave.
Valerie Casselton
August 26, 2022
Deepest condolences to Olivia and the family. I worked with Dave when I was a young on-air reporter at CKVU-TV. He was the best possible assignment editor: he had an infallible and intuitive sense of import and timing and seemed to know everything about everything. He thought critically and shared generously. I loved working with him, deeply respected him. Such a loss. Rest In Peace and in the love of your family and many friends, Dave.
Jeff Palmer
August 26, 2022
Dear Dave. Simply one of the best bosses I ever had in a radio newsroom. Able to maintain an incredible & relentless work pace, keep a seemingly endless amount of detail in order on the busiest of breaking news days, still find time to smile, and always find time to checkup on how you were doing. Very deeply appreciated the time I had working with & learning from him. An immense loss far too soon. Wish his family strength & love. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. Grateful that he is freed from pain. May he rest in peace.
Norah Baine
August 26, 2022
This is sad news indeed. He was a great boss. Condolences to his family and friends.
jack bennest
August 26, 2022
A great loss - I worked at NW with Biro - not a lots of memories - but he had respect for me and likewise
Robert Palmer
August 26, 2022
I had the great privilege of working with Dave for a few years at CHEK. He was the consummate professional in every way, and a friend, colleague and mentor to so many. Rest easy, Dave.
Wayne Cox
August 26, 2022
Shocked and saddened to hear of Dave's passing. I have some fond memories of working together through some crazy years at CKVU-TV. A serious, hard working journalist who always had time for a laugh and a smile. My condolences to Dave's family.
Tom Mark
August 26, 2022
Very sorry to hear of Dave's passing after a courageous fight. He was a special guy with a great wit and great mind for journalism. The radio and tv industry was better with his involvement. I'm better for knowing him. Condolences to his family and friends.
Lester Lightstone
August 26, 2022
Great memories of "shooting the news" at CKVU with Mr. Biro as News Director at the time. He was fab to work "with" & "for". He'll be missed by many. RIP Dave.
June Wiebe
August 26, 2022
So sorry to hear about Dave, I always liked him in the few times we got together. Having lost a husband myself this year, I know how painful it is. God bless you Olivia and the family in the coming days and years.
Bruce Williams
August 26, 2022
Dave was an original. A true professional on the job and a lot of fun away from work. Quick wit, gifted insight, Dave had a great handle and perspective on the gathering and presenting of news. I respected him. An unforgettable character. Condolences to all family and friends.
Tom Jeffries
August 26, 2022
I was lucky to know David. We worked on 2440 Ash Street, he in news, and me in FM. He was a very hard working, talented and lovely man. May I share my deepest condolences with his wife Olivia and the rest of his clan. Rest well my friend.
Tom Walters
August 26, 2022
I'm very saddened to hear of Dave's passing. He was an excellent journalist and a guy of real integrity who was good to the people around him. Our industry could use a lot more people like Dave, and the original will be profoundly missed. Deepest sympathies to Olivia and all his friends and family. I think everyone who knew Dave knows how much you've lost.
Julie Brown
August 26, 2022
I was honoured to work with David Biro at CKNW/CFMI radio in Vancouver. He had a very calming influence on me personally. A person of HIGH integrity AND intelligence. Deep condolences to his Family. R.I.P. my Friend.
Howie Siegel
August 26, 2022
Dave was a total mensh. An unerring gentleman. May his memory be a blessing.
Sheila Allan
August 26, 2022
Condolences to the family. I worked at CKVU and remember him as the assignment editor there. He was a good person to work with. Kind and friendly.
Duncan Speight
August 26, 2022
He gave me my big break into Vancouver TV news many years ago. He was a great boss, and a great friend. He was a terrific journalist who everyone respected and liked. My condolences to his wife, Olivia, and their extended family.
Sandy Heimlich-Hall
August 26, 2022
I'm so very sorry to hear of Dave's passing. He was such a respected fixture in broadcast. He truly left his mark within the business and with those he mentored. It's tragic he was not able to enjoy more of his retirement. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Douglas Miller
August 26, 2022
My deepest condolences to Dave's family and friends. We worked together at CKNW/CFMI and CKVU. Dave was one of the genuinely good guys. Reality notwithstanding, he made broadcasting appear to be a respectable endeavour.
Don Edmonds, Vancouver
August 26, 2022
So sad. My condolences to the family. Dave and I started together about the same time at the Province where we all learned to work hard and to enjoy the fellowship of colleagues at work and outside. Dave and I were the only ones I ever knew who drove a Datsun 1000. When Dave was considering broadcast school I tried to dissuade him, despite that great voice. What a loss that would have been if he had actually listened to me. RIP, Dave.
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