Frank Griffiths
By profession a chartered accountant, Frank Griffiths will be remembered as an
entrepreneur in broadcasting and sports.
He bought his first radio station, CKNW New
Westminster/Vancouver in 1956, which became the starting point for a series of
initiatives and acquisitions over four decades. By the time he had formed WIC
Western International Communications in 1983, the Griffiths broadcasting
"empire" also included CJOB/CJKR-FM Winnipeg, CHAN-TV Vancouver,
CHEK-TV Victoria, CHBC Kelowna, CFMI-FM Vancouver,
CFQR Calgary, CHML/CKDS-FM Hamilton, controlling shareholder of Canadian
Satellite Communications (Cancom), and went on to add
CHOG/CILQ-FM Toronto, CICT-TV Calgary, CISA-TV Lethbridge,
CITV-TV Edmonton, CKRD-TV Red Deer, CHED and CKNG-FM Edmonton, and CHCH-TV
Hamilton. Other WIC properties include Allarcom Pay
Television Limited (owner of Super channel in
Apart from broadcasting, in the 70s, Frank
Griffiths bought the
The BC Sports Hall of Fame & Museum is
pleased to present the prestigious WAC Bennett Award for the first time in four
years, to Mr. Frank A. Griffiths. Born December 17, 1916 in Burnaby, BC, Frank
Griffiths, Sr. studied accounting as a profession. He entered the world of
broadcasting in 1956 with his purchase of radio station CKNW, and was soon
overseeing the development of Western International Communications Ltd. (WIC).
In 1974, Mr. Griffiths purchased Northwest
Sports Enterprises Ltd., the parent company of the
Throughout his life, he was a leader, often
interweaving his personal convictions with his business ventures. And although
he preferred to work quietly behind the scenes, Mr. Griffiths contributed his
time, energy, and expertise to many organizations, generating and distributing
millions of dollars to a wide variety of worthwhile causes. Frank A. Griffiths,
Sr. lived to celebrate his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder
in 1993. He died on April 7th, 1994, just prior to one of the Vancouver Canucks
greatest bids for the Stanley Cup. While he is greatly missed by his family and
friends, he lives on through evidence of his generosity and integrity.
Frank Griffiths (1916-1994)
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