Acclaimed Journalist Jim O'Connell RIP
 

Terrilble news yesterday. Jim O'Connell, one of my favorite television news personalities died of colon cancer yesterday at age 48. He was a great business news journalist, newly married to a beautiful doctor and was an avid runner; having run many great marathons across the world including the Great Wall and the Antarctic. RIP Jim. We'll miss you.

Toronto, ON (May 4, 2007) - BNN - Business News Network staff and colleagues expressed their profound sadness today at the passing of Jim O'Connell, a respected and highly-acclaimed journalist and dear friend.

O'Connell died yesterday after a brief but brave fight with colon cancer. He is survived by his wife Dr. Lisa Ramshaw, son Daniel, 18, and stepson Aaron, 25

He was 48.

"Jim was one of the country's finest and most respected journalists. Above all, he had a special place in his heart for his audience and will be missed by thousands of Canadians who have come to trust and depend on his judgment. For all of us who worked with Jim he was more than a colleague - he was a friend," said Jack Fleischmann, General Manager, BNN-Business News Network.

O'Connell was part of a select group of journalists who helped launch Canada's business channel Report on Business Television (now known as BNN) in 1999. Since then, he went on to assume numerous senior editorial roles including most recently as host of the network's flagship program, Market Call. Prior to joining BNN, O'Connell enjoyed an extensive career in journalism including more than two decades with CTV News reporting out of Ottawa, Winnipeg, Toronto and serving as Bureau Chief in both Washington and London. He also served as Host and Correspondent for CTV's investigative news series W-FIVE.

O'Connell reported on some of the biggest stories of the last quarter-century and was widely recognized for his coverage on topics such as international politics, genocide, natural disasters and race relations.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

http://www.bnn.ca/jim-oconnell/

OMG...so young. Cancer is such a terrible desease. I liked his reporting style very much. RIP.

Sorry to hear of his passing. :o

Condolences to his family and freinds.........

for sure 48 is way too young...:mad: -- very sad.

C.