Rex Murphy: We loved Gordon Pinsent, and he loved us
Gordon Pinsent #GordonPinsent
At the venerable age of 92 years old, a king of Newfoundland, Gordon Pinsent, has passed away.
He was as fine a person as you could ever hope to meet.
He walked within an aura of pure and natural friendliness — I cannot think of anyone who projected such a sense of welcome and charm as Mr. Pinsent. It flashed out of him on the instant wherever and whenever he met anyone.
The many others who worked with him over his decades of theatre, film, and recitations can and surely will give full testimony of his skill and professionalism. In both he was peerless.
Some of us outside that favoured proximity may however offer tales of the impact of his presence.
It’s a long time since the two-channel world of Canada and the black-and-white days of television. I suppose it’s one of the tidy gifts that come with being allowed to get old — that of extensive memory. In my own case, for example, I can recall Quentin Durgens M.P., starring … Gordon Pinsent (from Grand Falls, Newfoundland.)
What! We were barely into Confederation, a mere trifling 16 years, and here was a Newfoundlander, up there no less, in the lead role of a national television drama. My Lord, now wasn’t that something. One of our own crowd passing on to the rest of the country a taste of the talent, and one of the finest tastes let me tell you, that Newfoundland — small in size, prodigious in creativity, fresh in the Confederation basket — had to offer.
Those early days of Mr. Pinsent’s voyage to the mainland marked the start of the collective pride Newfoundlanders felt over Gordon — a sense that amplified by every new project he got involved in. And hit rocket-heat when, all on his own — finance, story and lead — he brought out The Rowdyman, a full movie, set in Newfoundland, and starring a Newfoundlander.
We drop the word “love” too easily these days — afternoon talk shows and impulsive displays of gush have just about bottomed out its real force. But when I say Newfoundlanders loved Gordon Pinsent, and why therefore there’s a real and deep sadness over his passing, I mean the word as much as that word really means.
My own acquaintance was not deep, but I did have one occasion to be in his company longer than a chance conversation on the Toronto streets where we occasionally collided. That was in 1997, in St. John’s where there was a huge event held in the then Memorial Stadium on King’s Bridge Road to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Confederation with Canada. I was to MC it. A great raft of Newfoundland talent, from opera singers to TV stars to comedians (the great trio of Buddy Buddy Wasisname and the other Fellers were there) and, naturally, to give the evening full lustre — Gordon Pinsent.
There was a rehearsal the day before the show. It ended fairly close to midnight, and I walked with Gordon a ways to wherever he was staying. It was quite an amazing experience.
I do not know where they all came from at that time of night but with each step we took, people came out of the darkness to talk to, shake hands with, gape at and be in his presence. Now stars attract fans — nothing special in that. What was special, and I noted it at the moment it happened — it is not some long-since afterthought — was how intensely pleased and charmed and happy these fine folks were that they had their few minutes with the man. And how absolutely, unfeignedly, gleefully he was to meet them.
In other words the sentiment flowed both ways. The man was a magnet of infinite charm and good cheer. Whatever is sweet in the Newfoundland temperament — and I am allowed to insist that there is much — Gordon Pinsent had it in its most abundant and intense manifestation. I cannot adequately articulate the spell he cast and perhaps it can only be experienced, but I do know I saw something special during that midnight stroll and that I was with a very special person.
So very fine a talent, so very fine a man. Good Sir, you shall be missed, and it is past all measure of speech to say how happy we are that you were here.
Condolences to all those most close to Mr. Pinsent.
National Post
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