Former CBC newsman Larry Henderson dies

Larry Henderson, the first regular newsreader on CBC's The National News later rebranded The Nationaldied Monday morning in his sleep, his son Graham Henderson confirmed. He was 89.

After trying his hand for a few years as a Shakespearian actor in England, Henderson joined the radio announcing staffat theCBC in 1940. He later enlisted in the Canadian Army and served in North Africa and Italy during the Second World War.Following the war, he hosted the syndicated radio show Headliners on Toronto station CFRB.

In 1950, Henderson became the first Canadian broadcaster to cover the Korean War. Hethen spent three years in Europe,where he recorded his Headliners program and hosted the CBC's Passport to Adventure.

Henderson returned to Canada in 1954 to become the television newsreader on The National News. Previously, various announcers each delivered five-minute segments, but CBC-TV program director Mavor Mooredecided that led to a disjointed broadcast.

By the end of 1954, Henderson was doing two 15-minute programs a day, accompanied by film and still pictures. Famous for his fiery temperament, he once walked off set in the middle of a broadcast when a piece of film did not roll on cue.

Hendersonwas the face ofThe National News until 1959, when he left to work for CHFI radio and CHCH television. He later spent time with CTV National News and, in the 1970s, travelled to Tanzania to help the countryorganize itsnational broadcasting system.

In 1974, Henderson became editor of the Catholic Register.Under his leadership, it became a leading anti-abortion voice.

Henderson served as managing editor of Challenge, a Roman Catholic monthly, before retiring in 2002.

A funeral mass for Henderson, who had two sons with wife Joan Annand, is planned for Thursday in Toronto.