Held in tiny rooms for 43 years, 'Bear' escapes near Third Line

After toiling 43 years in tiny broadcast studios, local broadcast behemoth Scott Turnbull worked his last shift Friday at KISS 100.5.

A celebration was held to mark Turnbull's escape from years of 4 a.m. risings to wake up Sault Ste. Marie, the city he's called home since 1988.

Known affectionately as 'Bear,' the beloved radio personality started his career in 1975 in Dryden, where his mellifluous tones earned twice-a-month paychecks of $164.

Turnbull worked at CKSO Sudbury from 1976 until the early 80s.

He was also employed in Leamington, North Bay and Thunder Bay before landing in Sault Ste. Marie.

In recent years, Bear occupied the demanding early-morning shift, on which radio stations either live or die.

He was also the broadcast voice of Soo Greyhounds for a decade ending in 2005.

Turnbull had been absent from the KISS morning show since last November after developing heart problems.

"I've had some heart surgery," he said during a return visit to the station this spring.

"The heart's fine," said Turnbull, who disclosed that, except to visit people, he hadn't previously been in a hospital since he developed croup as a four-year-old.

"The company [Rogers Radio] has been perfectly understanding about this, so I have no complaints there."

Turnbull is expected to now work on his golf game and on cheering for his favourite sports team, Detroit Tigers.