Minister Offers Condolences on Passing of Ray Guy

The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today expressed his condolences on the passing of renowned writer and journalist Ray Guy.

“Our province has lost one of its greatest satirists, and I offer my deepest condolences to Mr. Guy’s family and friends’” said Minister French. “Through his many works, Mr. Guy was truly a cultural icon in Newfoundland and Labrador. Undoubtedly, his writings on the provincial political scene will remain a large part of his legacy, but his numerous plays and acting career which portrayed life in our province will also be fondly remembered.”

Ray Guy was renowned for his newspaper writings, most notably in The Evening Telegram, as well as magazines such as Atlantic Insight and the Newfoundland Quarterly. In 1979, he appeared as the principal boarder in Gordon Pinsent’s half-hour television series, Up At Ours. He later played an editor for the paper in the 1992 film Secret Nation, and continued his political observations as a commentator on CBC’s news program, Here and Now. In 2001, he was awarded an honorary degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

“Mr. Guy had a unique gift of examining the nature of life in our province, and used his piercing wit to relay his thoughts through various mediums,” said Minister French. “His perspectives will be greatly missed within the cultural community.”

Mr. Guy’s career also included such literary works as The Smallwood Years in 2008 and That Far Greater Bay which won the Steven Leacock Award for Humour in 1977. He was also known for such plays as Young Triffie's Been Made Away With and Frog Pond, along with The Ray Guy Revue and Caplin Supper which was created by local actor Mary Walsh based on Mr. Guy’s writings.

- 30 -

Media contact:
Melony O’Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca 

2013 05 15                            2:35 p.m.