Long-time TV weather forecaster Harold Hosein is shell-shocked about being left out in the cold by Citytv without getting a chance to say goodbye to his loyal viewers after nearly 17 years of advising them when to take an umbrella to work or pack sunscreen.

 

Hosein, 66, who has reported on weather for the station since Sept. 1, 1989, said he only learned he was off the air when a senior Citytv official telephoned him last Sunday, the day before he was to return from a four-week vacation.

 

Hosein, who was on contract with the station, has hired a lawyer as a precaution to ensure a fair and clean departure from his former employer. He's also determinedly looking for work.

 

"I'm looking for a job, hopefully with another network doing what I used to do. The termination was totally unexpected. Well, I wouldn't say totally unexpected. You get these little feelings. But it was unexpected," he said in an interview. "That's life in this kind of business. I've seen similar things and heard of similar things happening to other people. It's the way of the corporate world, I guess."

 

Concerned about his future at the station, Hosein had briefly considered saying farewell on air.

 

"I had wanted to wave goodbye to (viewers) on the last day when I was leaving on vacation, just in case. But I didn't," Hosein said, adding he has been told that Citytv has no plans to announce or commemorate his departure.

 

"Apparently, they (station officials) are not going to say anything or acknowledge my time (there). ... You're here today and gone tomorrow and only your true friends keep remembering you. But that's all right."

 

Citytv has announced that former CanWest Global weatherman Michael Kuss is scheduled to start Monday. Citytv officials did not respond to requests from the Star for comment.

 

This is the second recent change in the station's weather department. Nadine Hinds-Powell left suddenly last month. She has since been hired by Global on a casual basis.

 

Former Citytv anchor and broadcaster Ben Chin called Hosein's departure "sad news."

 

"Harold is a real pioneer and a wonderful guy," Chin said, alluding to Hosein's groundbreaking role as a visible minority in news broadcasting.

 

Originally from Trinidad-Tobago, Hosein came to Canada 39 years ago and joined Environment Canada on a co-op program where he trained as a meteorologist. He stayed there for 21 years before joining Citytv.

 

He will continue to report weather for radio station 680 News, which he said has been "very supportive" in the aftermath of his recent troubles.

 

Hosein also does some private consulting, visiting schools and teaching motivation and communications skills.

 

"I'm a survivor. I've been to hell and back. There's not much that can put me under. I train people in motivation and communications and teach them how to get past things like this (firing)."