THUNDER BAY — When Barry Third moved from Timmins in 1980, little did he know it was the start of a broadcasting career in Thunder Bay that would span more than four decades.
Third will sign off after hosting his final broadcast on Aug. 26, ending his term as the city's longest-serving news anchor.
The native of South Porcupine, Ont. is retiring not only from the set of the Thunder Bay Television Newshour, but from his position as news director in Northwestern Ontario's largest newsroom. Third was appointed to that role in 2005.
He's bidding farewell to tens of thousands of area families who make it a habit to tune into the TBT Newshour at 6:00 p.m., and with whom he has cultivated the sort of relationship that is unique to the position of a long-term newscast anchor.
The importance of that connection is not lost on the veteran journalist.
"People invite us into their homes every night. I've always tried to respect that," Third says.
In an interview on the eve of his retirement, he recalled an incident several years ago that touched him deeply.
"The phone rang in my office. It was a woman who was obviously the proud mother of a young man who had just returned home from serving overseas with the armed forces. He had been in a situation where there was a fair amount of danger," Third said.
He went on to explain that the caller's son had only been back in Thunder Bay for a couple of days.
"They were having dinner and watching the news. At one point she looked over and she noticed her son was crying. She asked 'What's the matter, son?' He said 'Well, now that I've seen Mr. Third, I know that I'm safe.' "
News anchors are supposed to keep their emotions in check in front of the camera, but Third got a little choked up in retelling the story.
"First of all, it wasn't 'Mr. Third' that was the focus here," he said. "It's what we bring to a lot of people every night, which is a sense of continuity, a sense of surety. Most importantly, here's a kid who put his life on the line, and in some small way we provided a sense of security to him. If we can do that for him, or first responders, or anybody in general, what an honour that we're a part of their lives and they feel a sense of well-being from that."
Third said he often reflects on the significance of that phone call.
"It talks about the sense of community here, and the fact that we do have a place in it, and provide something of meaning and value to people," he said.
Third worked in radio and television in northeastern Ontario before being recruited to Thunder Bay as the staff announcer for CKPR-TV and CHFD-TV. He became familiar to the community through his appearance in numerous television commercials and as co-host of the daily public affairs program First Edition along with Nikki Burns.
In 1985, when Thunder Bay Television expanded its half-hour suppertime newscast to a full hour, it looked for a host with credibility.
It's an asset that is not always easily measurable, so station management asked community representatives to help screen prospective candidates.
A panel that viewed the audition tapes of numerous applicants unanimously gave Third the stamp of approval, thereby launching a 36-year stint as the face of local television news.
Throughout his lengthy career at 87 North Hill Street, he also has been a key supporter of local charities, notably through his on-air role on the Easter Seal Telethon, and his work on behalf of Shelter House.
Those kinds of contributions, again, speak to Third's perspective on what has made the job so rewarding for him.
He said it's not so much the news stories that he'll remember in the coming years, but the relationships and connections he has developed with people in every walk of life.
"As a news guy, there's always going to be another story. You're always chasing fresh leads, new information. But what sticks with you is the people you've met or worked with, both internally and externally."
Third said the talented and dedicated colleagues he worked with in the station, and from whom he learned a great deal, are too numerous to mention by name.
He also pointed to the countless people he has had the pleasure of interviewing and forming connections with over the years.
"Community leaders, politicians, just individuals in general who are terrific representatives of this city and this region...being able to have access to them and learn from them has been a blessing, and I'm grateful for that. I've been the beneficiary of a lot of generosity."
Third believes both he and the community have also benefited from the uniqueness of the Thunder Bay market, where the television station is owned by a local family rather than by a large corporation.
He said "The Dougalls' stewardship of this operation has provided continuity. We're moving to a new generation of the family who are going to take this business to the next level. That augurs well for the community. There is a lot of promise for the future."
As for his own immediate plans, for the next few weeks at least Third expects simply to sit back and relax before thinking about taking on anything else.
"My wife and I are looking at travel opportunities in the coming months. But tomorrow is always a new day. There are lots of things to do in this community, and lots of ways to make a positive contribution."
Third will be succeeded on TBT's flagship 6 p.m. newscast by veteran news reporter Ryan Bonazzo.
