REED WRITES: LAST WORDS TO LIVE BY

There are so many outstanding journalists from my era who literally flew under the celebrity radar in Canada, primarily because they were too busy exercising their craft to become media stars in the present-day context. They diligently and accurately reported the news rather than being the news. Their effective word pictures were painted with fairness, balance, passion and color. 

Jim Reed was one of those special journalists who believed in thorough research and backgrounded analysis. He worked as a researcher, writer, producer, director, reporter and news anchor for CTV, TVO and CBC. He travelled widely and freelanced for The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Globe and Mail and other news organizations. He was also a three-time Gemini Award winner, recipient of the “Gordon Sinclair Award for Excellence in Broadcasting” as well as the B’Nai B’rith Award for Human Rights.

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If you have not already noticed, I am referring to Jim in the past tense. Having fought a form of lung cancer since last fall, he quietly passed away in hospital February 11 at 72 years of age. He was born and raised in Goderich and lived most of his life in the small nearby community of Dungannon where in retirement he regularly contributed to his beloved blog Reed Writes (has a familiar ring to it) and produced monthly editorial columns for The Bruce County Marketplace Magazine.

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According to Marketplace Publisher James Pannell, the always professional veteran wordsmith turned in his last copy only three days before he passed away after choosing to be taken off life support. The column was so poignant and typically Jim that I respectfully reproduce it here. Headed "There really is a light at the end of the tunnel...look for it sooner rather than later", Jim's last written words convey a message for each and every one of us.  The thoughts and phrases do not flow as smoothly as would normally be the case with his writing and you can feel the sickness of a man who had come to terms with his life, taking small pleasure in the satisfaction of it all and the one last opportunity to leave behind small nuggets of advice for his readers. 

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I'm sure he would be happy to be getting a little extra ink with this one.

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*NOTE:  Due to problems with Google, this newsprint clipping cannot be enlarged.  Please zoom in your image to 150% and the print will be easier to read.

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It's my privilege Jim.  We celebrate you!

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