National Post (National Edition)
`We have lost a great Canadian'
Re: The death of Rex Murphy
It was with profound sadness that I read of the death of this remarkable man. For literally decades I have enjoyed his insight and moral clarity.
Rex Murphy had the gift of asking the right questions and had the moral courage to state unequivocally his position — an often unpopular one in these days of cancel culture.
He was the intellectual champion of the common man and woman — the bus drivers, oilfield workers and grocery store clerks, to name but a few. He was a grounded man never lost in his own brilliance.
Our country will miss him.
Colin Lockhart, Florenceville-Bristol, N.B.
We have lost a great Canadian. Never boring, always witty, he understood Canada, its strengths as a country, and the weaknesses of our leaders. His pen — as sharp as any sabre — pricked and skewered inflated egos and cut to the nub of any issue. His moral compass never wavered. Looking forward to reading him and then discussing not only what he said but how cleverly he said it was a pleasure for his readers that will be lost to so many and to those yet to come who might have enjoyed his work.
Ron Hoffman, Toronto
Rex Murphy, peerless original intellect, journalist, writer, Newfoundlander, is gone.
Not since the death of the equally formidable George Jonas has there been a greater loss to the exclusive field of fearless, brilliant journalism.
“Cast a cold eye on life, on death. Horseman, pass by!”
Barry Stagg, Toronto
Along with everyone else, I mourn the premature passing of Rex Murphy, our beloved writer, Canadian (Newfie!) and supporter of democracy.
His columns in the National Post were a must-read, every time, his use of the language was second to none, his human values were exemplary and his messages were educational, interesting and of peace.
Along with many others I shall miss his columns. May his memory be a blessing.
Bill Gruenthal, Burnaby, B.C.
Not since the death of Mordecai Richler have I felt such a pronounced feeling of sadness as when today I learned that we have lost another one of the greats.
Rex was an inspirational voice for all Canadians and his love of Canada was obvious in all his writing and other media work.
Rest in peace Rex, you have fought the good fight. Steen Jessen, Victoria, B.C.
Canada has lost an intellectual giant. There are those people in life who cross our paths who truly stand out and can only be best described as characters. Rex Murphy was such an individual who truly made a difference in life and who made Canada a better place to be.
I will always remember hearing his distinctive voice as the host of Cross Country Checkup on CBC, when he would ask his caller “Where are you calling from?” That question helped unite us as Canadians. Goodbye to the wordsmith from “The Rock,” a true Canadian character.
Bob Erwin, Ottawa
Rex was one of my all-time favourite columnists. His incisive, sharp, humour-filled wit, together with caffeine, was what I needed early mornings to get me going for the day. I miss him sorely, an iconic oak tree in a forest of poplar saplings.
Hendrik Kiliaan, Calgary
I thought he was back. But he was gone. We've lost a voice of humour and common sense, a too-rare combination today. Nobody skewered the woke left like Rex. Geoffrey Corfield, London, Ont.
Bob Cole. Then Rex Murphy. How our Newfoundland brethren must be mourning. And us.
Marty Burke, Guelph, Ont.
I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Rex Murphy. My wife and I never missed his columns in the Post and would marvel at his wit, his acute mastery of the English language and his spot-on analysis of his topic of the day.
To say he was one of Canada's outstanding columnists would be an understatement. He will be sorely missed, but I take some solace in knowing he is now in the company of other great Canadian writers like George Jonas, Robert Fulford and Christie Blatchford.
Rest in peace, Rex. My morning read will never be the same.
Bernie Yaphe, Toronto
What will I do without Rex? I was just getting over the absence of Christie Blatchford. These journalists had a way of “cutting through the crap,” representing our voices with such courage and forthrightness. Listening to Rex on Cross Country Checkup, I marvelled at how he treated each caller with such attention and listened with great compassion. One of a kind!
Marg Baker, Toronto
Many years ago as I was hurrying down a hallway in a hotel in Halifax, I rounded a corner and almost ran over a diminutive little chap who looked like the comedian Red Skelton. To my surprise, it was Rex Murphy. After a few brief words of greeting, we each went our separate ways, but I would have given much to have had the time to buy him a beer and converse with him.
I almost always agreed with his positions so, on the rare occasions that our positions differed, it was cause for me to double down on my research and make sure of my position. But whatever Rex's position was on a subject, it was always a pleasure to read his prose and see his side of an argument.
Rex was one of a very few rarified Canadian columnists. My sincerest wish is that with his fight over, he and Christie Blatchford are sitting down over a libation or two and laughing uproariously, content with the legacy they have left behind.
Fair winds, my good man. We will not see his like again.
Doug McLeod, Victoria, B.C.
It's 7 a.m. on May 10 and the tributes are pouring in for Rex Murphy. However, I have yet to hear or read a tribute from our prime minister. Is he flummoxed? On behalf of Mr. Murphy, I say to Justin Trudeau: Resign; your hesitation is the clearest indicator yet that you are not a leader.
Myron Nebozuk, Edmonton