Fred Merritt
February 17, 1942 – August 21, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Frederick William Merritt (Kitchener, Ontario), who passed away on August 21, 2025, at the age of 83, leaving to mourn family and friends. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Frederick William Merritt to pay them a last tribute.
Beloved husband of 48 years to the late Lella JoAnne Merritt (2018). Fred and JoAnne enjoyed cooking, dining, travelling to Hawaii, reading, live theatre and PBS. Born, February 17, 1942, in Toronto. Predeceased by parents, William and Dorothy Merritt.
Fred and JoAnne, at one of the Christmas Parties
Fred enjoyed over 50 years in broadcasting, on air at stations around Ontario, He began his Kitchener broadcasting at CKKW-AM in 1966 before moving into the adjacent studio when CFCA-FM began broadcasting in 1967. He was an announcer/anchor throughout the stations almost-three decades of broadcasting ending in Kitchener Waterloo at CFCA-FM, hosting: “Merritt in Stereo” and “Night Flight”, later working at CKWR-FM.
Fred’s final “Something to Think About” would read: “I enjoyed the journey, and wish you love, peace, and joy on yours”.
In the quiet moments of reflection, amidst the gentle rustle of leaves and the whispered song of the stars, we shall carry Frederick’s memory with us, a guiding light illuminating the path ahead. May Frederick’s journey be filled with peace and serenity, and may he find rest in the embrace of eternity.
Funeral arrangement under the care of Tri-City Cremation Services
1991.09.04 – Waterloo Region Record – Bullas Travel
CKCO-TV – Household China & Gifts Commercial (1987)
This spot pulled from an April 15, 1987 program
Fred Merritt in Christmas Films – 1974 ~ 1978 ~ 1983
Recipe Corner ~ 1988.02.04 – Waterloo Region Record ~ Vista Magazine
Boosting the Sunbeam Home
The Sunbeam Home in Waterloo, gives loving care to children who suffer from more severe mental and physical disabilities. One of its principal fundraising activities is an annual Strawberry Social, held on the grounds of the home. CKKW supports this endeavour through public service announcements and a five-and-a-half hour remote broadcast. Here announcer Fred Merritt is seen on the verandah of the home, interviewing some of the nurses and guests at the social.
1985.08.06 – Waterloo Region Record
1992.08.28 – Waterloo Region Record ~ 1994.08.03 – Waterloo Region Record ~ 1996.06.29 – Waterloo Region Record
Fred Merritt set to sign off
Radio host retiring in January after lengthy career with local stations
Avid listeners were saddened to learn that soon there will be no “Merritt in Stereo” at FM 98.5 CKWR.
At 69, Fred Merritt, will be one of the longest serving broadcasters in Waterloo Region, when he retires on Jan. 21, 2011. He will be doing so with mixed feelings because, he says, he never felt that he was “going to work,” only visiting with his many regular listeners and enjoying the companionship of his friends and volunteers at the station.
However, the deaths of his good friend and fellow broadcaster, Dan Fisher, and a few members of the Quarter Century Club of broadcasters who meet for an annual barbecue at Don Wilcox’s home, convinced him that “it’s time to stop and smell the roses.”
Love of music attracted Fred at a young age to a career in radio. In 1960, just 19, he got “his foot in the door” in Orillia. He was at CFCO Chatham in 1966 when Dan Fisher, then program director for CKKW-AM, visited the station looking for new talent and offered him a job in Kitchener. “There I did a live day show and taped an easy listening late evening show called Night Flight,” he recalled.
In 1994, CFCA was purchased by CHUM and renamed KOOL FM. Fred, along with others on staff, lost their jobs. “I was off for a year and then I joined CKWR which was just starting up,” he said.
In his new daytime show, Merritt in Stereo, he attracted a rapidly growing loyal audience who has shared his love not only of music but also food and travel. He uses computerized music, adding some of his own selections, selects the poems and recipes and lines up the guests who promote volunteerism and local events.
Fred admits he had one slip up as an announcer. “I referred to a mayoralty race as a morality race. I got a lot of backlash on that.”
One part of his program, Recipe Corner, features mouth-watering recipes, many of them sent in by his listeners. “I don’t try them all but I have a vivid imagination and can taste them in my mind.” said Fred. Also popular are Fred’s inspirational readings, called Something to Think About and the health information passed along during The Medical Edge segment.
He often cooks Sunday brunch but admits that his wife, Joanne, does the rest of the cooking. Fred expects that will change next year. At CFCA he produced a cookbook, Cooking with Fred, that netted about $4,000 for the Children’s Wish Foundation.
He has been able to get to know personally some of his listeners who were contest winners on trips to Hawaii and the Southern Caribbean and over the years, he’s met music personalities such as Johnny Mathis, Roger Whittaker and Harry Belafonte. “It’s nice to meet my listeners but lately it makes me feel old. Many who listened to me at their mothers’ knees are now parents themselves,” he said.
“Joanne and I enjoy cruising but, loving food, I have to watch my waistline,” he added. Fred does that with long walks and regular use of their treadmill at home. The only sick days he has ever taken were the result of entering a broadcasters’ bike riding event for the cancer society. “I had never ridden a bike before and one of the handlebars came loose. I fell off and broke my leg – that was a hard way to get out of doing the ride,” Fred recalled.
When he retires, Fred and Joanne plan to visit friends in Florida and enjoy more theatre outings and he hopes to catch up on some reading. A longtime blood donor, he also looks forward, after a brief respite, to doing some volunteering, perhaps driving seniors to appointments or working in St. John’s Kitchen.
“I will miss my listeners who, along with my wife, have been the ‘wind beneath my wings,’ ” said Fred.
They will miss him, too.
Jackie Hayes is a Kitchener writer who looks at personalities, events and seniors’ issues each Wednesday. Contact her at jackieh@golden.net