Radio veteran Brad McNally dies after a long battle with cancer

Canadian-born Australian radio executive Brad McNally died in Perth on Saturday after a long battle with cancer.

McNally spent 45 years in radio, including roles as program director at 96FM Perth, Gold FM Melbourne, Sea FM and Hot Tomato on the Gold Coast.

His wife, Margaret, confirmed to Radio Today he’d died after living with a brain tumour for five and a half years.

Rest in peace: Canadian-born Australian radio executive Brad McNally (pictured) died in Perth on Saturday after a long battle with cancer 

‘Brad passed away peacefully last night, Saturday, November 6, 2021, in St John of God Hospital, Subiaco,’ Margaret said.

‘He courageously endured life with a brain tumour for five and half years since his diagnosis in 2016.’

Australian radio presenter Craig Huggins paid tribute to McNally on social media.

‘Passed away peacefully’: His wife, Margaret, confirmed to Radio Today he’d died after living with a brain tumour for five and a half years 

‘I was blessed to work with Brad at 3XY when l first started radio, and again as my PD [program director] at Gold104.3 in the mid ’90s. A wonderful, giving man who I’ve always loved chatting with,’ he said.

‘I will always remember his whispering, haunting Canadian accent on his show The Hour Before Midnight. Most know Brad as Ninja; way back then we called him Gunner.’

GOLD 104.3 drive host Gavin Miller’s said: ‘I absolutely adored Brad McNally.

‘I met him when I was 20. He was my boss to start with, and later on he became one of my favourite friends. I’ll always smile when I think of how he would start every phone call: “Hey, man, checking in…!”

‘Brad passed away peacefully last night, Saturday 6 November 2021, in St John of God Hospital, Subiaco,’ she told Radio Today

‘He was a quirky guy who knew how to live a big life, which he did. He used to say stuff to me like, “You’ve only got one kick at the can, so make the most of it.” He also introduced me to a tonne of great music, made me laugh a lot, and he always cheered me on no matter what.’

Before settling in Australia, Brad was a program director for stations for Scandinavian Broadcasting Systems.

He also worked in Canada, the UK and Ireland.

Tribute: Radio host Craig Huggins (pictured) paid tribute to Brad on social media, saying, ‘[He was] a wonderful, giving man who I’ve always loved chatting with’