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JOHN ROBERTSON Obituary pic

JOHN ROBERTSON

Born: Mar 12, 1934

Date of Passing: Jan 25, 2014

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JOHN ROBERTSON The family is sad to announce that John Robertson passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Betel Home in Gimli. He will be sorely missed by his wife of 58 years, Betty, their two children Patricia (Grant Black) and Timothy (Lynda Robertson), and his sister Mary Jo Hague of British Columbia. John was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Margaret, his brothers Peter and Alex, and sisters Kaye, Theresa and Margaret. John was born March 12, 1934 in Winnipeg. He attended St. Ignatius Elementary School and St. Paul's High School. John was a journalist who started his career in print at the Winnipeg Free Press in 1956. He left to work for Tom "Scotty" Melville at the Regina Leader Post and became a lifelong Roughrider fan. John moved to The Toronto Telegram in 1965 to cover the Argonauts and then returned to Winnipeg in 1968 to the Winnipeg Free Press. A year later, sports editor Red Fisher hired him as columnist at The Montreal Star where he enjoyed covering the Expos, the Canadiens and the Alouettes. In 1973, John won a National Newspaper Award for sportswriting. He went into radio where he did open line hosting for several years in Montreal. CBC-TV in Winnipeg asked him to host 24 Hours in his hometown so we came back to the city in 1977 for five years. In 1981, John suffered a bad stroke and Doug Creighton called and said he had a job for him at The Toronto Sun when he recovered. The Robertson family moved back to Toronto in 1982. John covered the Blue Jays for eight years, the last three for the Toronto Star. In 1990, John had to retire for health reasons and he and Betty returned to Manitoba and settled in Winnipeg Beach. John was inspired to found the Manitoba Marathon in 1978, when Fred Shane and a friend ran the Boston Marathon. John did a lot of groundwork and had 2000 volunteers participate. In the early years of the popular run, the City of Winnipeg was very helpful and so was the Winnipeg Free Press. In 2013, we celebrated the Marathon's 35th birthday. A memorial service will be held Friday, January 31, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at our Lady of the Lake Church in Winnipeg Beach. Gilbarts are in charge of funeral arrangements. If friends desire, they are welcome to make a donation in John's honour to his favourite charity, the Manitoba Marathon.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 29, 2014

Condolences & Memories (18 entries)

  • John was part of one of the finest sports writing staff in Canada while he was with the The Tribune. Jack Matheson and Jack Wells did the football, and the Blue Bombers and Coach Grant were as good as it gets. Vince Leah was the sports editor, John covered the baseball and consequently had a busy office full of local team coaches vying for space or talking shop. John was by far the most social and befriended member of the sports writers. - Posted by: Ken Warren (A colleague in 1958/59 on the Winnipeg Tribune (NOT the Free Press)) on: Jan 26, 2016

  • To your family, I am very sorry for your loss. To John, an awesome writer, thank you for introducing me to my son's father (a Toronto Blue Jay at the time). Your kindness was greatly appreciated and you will never be forgotten. - Posted by: Sharon Lee (appreciative reader) on: Feb 08, 2014

  • Rest in peace ol' buddy, you made Fort Rouge proud with your accomplishments on the world stage. Remembering all the good times. Your lifelong friend, Clark - Posted by: Clark Chesley (Friend and fellow ball player) on: Feb 05, 2014

  • Very sad to hear of Mr. Robertson's passing. I was a great fan of his column when he wrote for the Montreal Star newpaper in Montreal in the 1970's. His columns were almost always entertaining and thought provoking.....unlike some of the "formulaic" sports reporting and writing that you see today. I always had the impression that when you read one of Mr. Robertson's columns what you were reading was him "...telling it like it was". Thanks for your work Mr. Robertson. Rest in peace. Peter Cooperman Montreal - Posted by: Peter Cooperman (Reader of The Montreal Star's sports section ) on: Feb 04, 2014

  • My condolences to the family. Our family loved John's warm and thoughtful columns (especially about his old friend Paul Reid) and inspired this then young aspiring broadcaster with his time on CFCF and then 24 hours when I started my first job in Manitoba. Met him, spoke to him on the phone and he was kind, warm and encouraging and I won't forget him. My thoughts and sympathies to the family. - Posted by: Terry DiMonte (Admirer from Montrea) on: Feb 03, 2014

  • So sorry I could not be there this weekend. So glad my brother Arthur is, hanging with all 3,775 of our cousins. To my Aunt Betty, you and Uncle John have had such a major and positive influence on the entire Robertson family.. Uncle John my hero!!! Mentor to me all through my own 33 year TV career. Always taking my calls, visiting with me, advising me on so many trials and tribulations of a crazy and exciting business. He taught me to always be first, fast, and "sometimes right" !!! HA HA! We all remember those wonderful Montreal articles Uncle John wrote and talked about on the radio from the 1960's about the FLQ----"Fun Loving Quebec'ers"/ --and yes Uncle John the only journalist to scoop the "world" on why a "rubber dome" was originally planned for Montreal's Olympic Stadium !!! To prevent it from having "Little Stadiums" Such a Brilliant mind....We will miss so much. I hear St. Peter has kept Uncle John at the Pearly Gates for a little longer than the norm. He wants to hear from Uncle John personally, all of those amazing and funny stories that entertained Readers, viewers, and listeners all over North America for so many decades...Good bye Friend!!!! and don't forget deadline is 11 pm for the Morning edition. Give Dad and our sister "Twerpy" a Big Hug and we will see you down the road. Alex - Posted by: Alex Robertson (Nephew) on: Jan 31, 2014

  • Goodbye to a good neighbour and friend. - Posted by: Dick Cain (Neighbour) on: Jan 30, 2014

  • Dearest Aunt Betty, Patty and Timmy, my sadness over your loss is deep. The love I feel is deeper. However, I do feel joy in the kowledge that my Dad has his baby brother with him. God Bless you always. - Posted by: Clara (Niece) on: Jan 30, 2014

  • John, rest in peace..Betty my thoughts are with you and family. John I will keep the memories forever..you were one of a KIND!! - Posted by: Ed Coughlin (old buddy) on: Jan 30, 2014

  • I met John at the 2013 celebration of the Marathon's 35th birthday. The history of the Marathon and the legacy of John will remain always in the hearts and minds of those of us who support individuals with intellectual disabilities. We thank you, John for the vision you had that turned into something truly wonderful. Betty, I am so sorry for your loss. - Posted by: Val Surbey (Friend) on: Jan 29, 2014

  • Looked up to by his nieces & nephews, remembering his quick & humor & wonderful smile. God bless you uncle John. - Posted by: Lynne Robertson (Niece) on: Jan 29, 2014

  • Our sympathies to Betty and family. We will miss John as he always had a smile and kind word whenever we met him. He was a shining lite at Our Lady of the Lake Church. - Posted by: Dave and Bonnie MacPherson (Friends) on: Jan 29, 2014

  • Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. - Posted by: Sirans (Friends) on: Jan 29, 2014

  • I have such fond memories of John! He was such a kind, caring, intelligent, and spiritual man. He will not be forgotten. My sympathies to you, Betty and to your family. God bless all of you. - Posted by: Lana Bobrovich () on: Jan 29, 2014

  • I first met John and Betty when they moved to Winnipeg Beach. I was their doctor's receptionist at that time. I enjoyed John's sense of humor and his determination to always keep on working and striving to help others in anyway possible. John was a very kind and sensitive man. I am so sorry for your loss Betty and for your families. Love and prayers to you at this time of sadness. - Posted by: Marilyn Robinson (Friend) on: Jan 29, 2014

  • john & I became friends when he was at St. Paul's school. He was a character then & continued to be one. His work on the Marathon will always keep his memory with us. Our love to Betty & the family. - Posted by: Yvonne and Harvey Cantin (Friends) on: Jan 29, 2014

  • I knew John through the Manitoba Marathon and as a resident of Winnipeg Beach. His commitment to improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities was one that many respected, myself included. My condolences to his family and close friends. For all the wonderful work you did on earth, you deserve the rest now John. - Posted by: Rose Flaig (acquaintance) on: Jan 29, 2014

  • My heartfelt condolences, Betty. - Posted by: Ed Harper (Long time friend) on: Jan 29, 2014

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