Gord Downie 1964—2017
Gord Downie left his mark on Waterloo Region
KITCHENER — They’re small town boys.
Both born and raised in Amherstview, a suburb of about 10,000 people on the western fringe of Kingston.
And while 13 years separates Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie and Kitchener Rangers coach Jay McKee, they still became good friends over the years.
So it was emotional at the Aud when McKee arrived at work Wednesday morning soon after learning that Downie had died of brain cancer. He was 53. “It’s a tough one,” said the coach. News of Downie’s death left a nation grieving as fans from across the country
fondly remembered the man and his music.
He certainly left his stamp on Waterloo Region.
There were the early days when the Hip played the 850-capacity Federation Hall at the University of Waterloo on the heels of the release of their second studio album, “Road Apples,” back in 1991.
The band returned to the region for gigs regularly with memorable stops at the Centre in the Square and the Aud, including their final local performance at the rink in June of 2015. There were other sightings, too. Kitchener’s Kevin King was leaving the Aud a couple of years ago after the London Knights defeated the Rangers in a playoff game when he saw Downie leaning against the wall by the venue’s East Avenue entrance.
“I just happened to look over and there was a guy in a long trench coach wearing an old Boston Bruins cap,” said the 55-year-old delivery truck driver.
“I just stood beside him and struck up a conversation, not wanting to be a fan and all gushing. He was very gracious and down to earth.”
King was especially affected by Downie’s passing since his younger brother Roger also died from glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer, five years ago.
“He was 40,” said a sobbing King. “It’s a pretty emotional day for me. It’s still pretty close to home.”
The Hip were ardent supporters of the Dan Snyder Memorial Golf Tournament, which ran regularly after the Elmira native, and former Atlanta Thrashers forward, died in a car accident in 2003.
Snyder’s story inspired the song “Heaven is a Better Place Today,” the lead track of the band’s ninth fulllength album, “In Between Evolution,” which was released about a year after the crash.
Guitarist Paul Langlois and bassist Gord Sinclair played in the golf tournament for years and once held an impromptu jam on the back patio of Elmira’s Central Tavern.
“They’re big hockey guys and they followed his story and were touched by it,” said Dan’s uncle Jeff Snyder. “It meant a lot that they thought enough of Dan to make a song about it.”
One summer Downie tagged along to the tournament with his bandmates.
“He was just a really unique guy,” said Jeff Snyder, adding that the band remained in touch with the family and would meet them after shows. “He just seemed like such a kind person. He was always willing to try and help other people.”
McKee discovered the Hip as a kid.
He remembers lugging a ghetto blaster to the curb of the street so his pals could listen to their music while playing road hockey. Those songs followed him to junior hockey dressing rooms and, ultimately, the NHL.
“The music certainly had a positive influence on my sports life,” said McKee.
The pair didn’t meet until the defenceman’s early years with the Buffalo Sabres. McKee got tickets to their gig at the Artpark in Lewiston, N.Y., because his mother worked with a father of one of the musicians in the band at the time.
“I met them after the show,” recalled McKee. “For the next 20 years or so I would go to any show I could and would hang out with them after.”
As their friendship grew, McKee marvelled at Downie’s creativity, intelligence and deep passion for hockey.
“Whether you knew him briefly or well he seemed grateful for every friendship he had,” the bench boss said. “He was a genuine soul.”
When Downie announced that he had terminal cancer last year McKee felt compelled to reach out by email.
“I wouldn’t normally do that but I kind of just threw it out there and told him how inspirational the Hip was to me growing up,” he said. “I got a nice message back from him.”
It read: “Thanks for this Jay, for your memories — our memories. I’m grateful for even your smile. xo g.”
Millions watched the television broadcast of the Tragically Hip’s final concert at Kingston’s Rogers K-Rock Centre in August of last year. McKee was lucky enough to be there in person as the band and fans said farewell.
“It was emotional for a lot of people,” he said. “Anyone who was at that concert will never forget it.”
Just like many around here will never forget Downie.