Neepawa Natives, NACTV mourns loss of Gary Reidle

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Neepawa Natives, NACTV mourns loss of Gary Reidle

Details: Published on Thursday, August 27, 2015

Photo by Alan Gillies/GEM Media.

(L to R) Gary Reidle, former Neepawa Natives Head Coach Dwayne Kirkup, and Wayne Jacobsen, in the NACTV broadcast booth.

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner

A familiar voice for the Neepawa Natives and Neepawa Access Community Television (NACTV) has been silenced, as Gary Reidle passed away on Thursday, Aug 20, after battling cancer. He was 59 years old.

Reidle was a former president of NACTV and played an important role in shaping the identity of the station. NACTV general manager Ivan Traill said Gary will also be remembered as an ardent supporter of community television.

“Gary started at NACTV in 1978, around the same time when I did,” said Traill. “He was always a big part of the operation in those early years. Helping with everything you could imagine. Cameras, editing, on-air, you name it. He was also a big part of the Lions Bingo and helped run it for about 12 years. We wouldn’t be what we are without his dedication.”

In the early years of the TV station and its partnership with the Neepawa Natives, Gary served as the play by play announcer for the games. In the past few years, he shifted to the position of colour commentator, working alongside Wayne Jacobsen.

In a media release, representatives with the Neepawa Natives organization sent its condolences to the family and remembered Gary as a good man, who wore the team colours as proud as anyone in the community.

“Gary was the play-by-play announcer for the team and worked diligently for NACTV helping to provide quality programming for Neepawa’s community television station. He was a great fan of the MJHL team and the pre-game ritual was always Gary coming up to the office to get the scoop on what was going on. For representatives of the club, it was always a good experience prior to the start of the game.” noted the club in its release. “Listening to his play by play and later on, his work on colour commentary was always a fun event as his energy got a person excited. This is a huge loss for his family, the community and the Neepawa Natives organization.”

Traill added that himself, along with many who had the honour of knowing Gary will remember his devotion to the team and the station.

“Outside of his family, his three passions were always the Natives, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and NACTV,” said Traill adding, “With the Natives, Gary was always a huge promoter of the team. [Gary] was never down on them. He always had a positive remark or perspective on what was happening out there on the ice. Away from the game, he kept tabs on the players, got to know them and their families quite well. His loss will be felt for quite some time.”