Richard Gwyn, 86, on Aug. 15, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Gwyn started his journalism career as a radio reporter in Halifax, moving on to Ottawa in 1957 where he worked for United Press International, followed by stints as a parliamentary correspondent for Time magazine, and later Thomson Newspapers and Maclean-Hunter, where he served as editor of its business publications. In 1968, he started a five-year run as a communications staffer in Pierre Trudeau’s government, serving as director-general in the department from 1970-73. Gwyn went on to accept a national columnist position with The Toronto Star, moving into international affairs from 1985-92. He continued to freelance for the paper until 2016. Over the years, he also penned three political biographies and hosted TVO’s “Realities” with Robert Fulford, served as a panelist on “Studio 2” and “Diplomatic Immunity,” and was a frequent guest on “The Agenda with Steve Paikin.” Gwyn was named an officer of the Order of Canada in 2002.
Sonny Fox, 74, on Aug. 13, of liver failure. Hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Fox was the frontman for 1960s rock n’ roll group, Jay Walker And The Jay Hawkers, before getting a job as a disc-jockey on WKNX Saginaw while promoting a record. Fox went on to join CHUM Toronto in middays in 1970 under the on-air handle, Johnny Mitchell. In 1972, he joined KHJ Los Angeles and then moved on to program director stints at both WYSP Philadelphia and WKTU New York. While doing mornings in Miami, Fox created syndicated stand up comedy show, The Comedy Hour, featuring comics of the day like George Carlin and Lenny Bruce. He was also behind comedy programming syndicator, The Mp3 Comedy Network, which he launched in 1999. Fox joined XM Satellite Radio in 2002, overseeing operations of both XM Comedy (Channel 150) and Laugh USA (Channel 96), and hosting XM morning show “Funny In The Morning” as well as comedian interview show “Stand-Up Sit-Down.” He hosted his last weekday morning show for SiriusXM last November.
Lorraine Thomson, 90, on Aug. 13. Thomson’s five-decade career in the entertainment industry started with her successful audition for the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes in 1951. She soon returned to Toronto and was hired as a chorus line dancer for CBC-TV variety show, The Big Revue, in addition to performing on Wayne & Shuster, The Barris Beat, The Denny Vaughn Show, and Hit Parade. In the early 1960s, Thomson moved from variety shows to current affairs, acting as an interviewer on Tabloid and Seven-O One, in addition to appearing as a frequent guest panelist on Front Page Challenge. In 1970, she took a behind-the-scenes role as program coordinator for Front Page Challenge, also hosting V.I.P., starting in 1973, where Front Page Challenge guests were interviewed at greater length. Among other accomplishments, Thomson, along with Pierre Berton, co-founded the ACTRA Awards in 1972. Along the way, she married legendary CBC anchor Knowlton Nash in 1982. Thomson retired from broadcasting in 1989 to become a judge for the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
