Fondly remembering one of our own
Former associate editor of The Advertiser Brent Fox was 65 when his heart gave out on Oct. 6. He’d been sidelined by that heart nine years ago.
The Pictou County native left what he affectionately termed the ‘Newsroom of the Doomed’ way too soon. That newsroom in New Minas had “been a family. Hopefully we will be remembered fondly. We have been like family, only better – we didn’t cramp or impose upon each other. The family will carry on, as it always has.”
I am not so sure that local newspapers will carry on indefinitely, but I do want to share some Brent memories because so many of us admired “the old journo.”
Tarina Bambrick, who began working at The Advertiser in 1986, said she learned a lot about dedication to the profession from Brent. One apocryphal story she told about him being admitted to hospital and insisting the film in his camera be sent back to the editor to make the deadline for the next issue.
Brent was always thorough and balanced in his writing and he knew his beats - court and council - like no one else. Over seven years, she said, they had many intriguing conversations.
Fred Sgambati, who was Brent’s editor, feels pretty sure the world is a lot less interesting without Brent in it. Fred recalled a great newsroom team, who won numerous regional and national awards, including Best Community Newspaper in Canada at one point.
Brent was dedicated to his vocation, and that’s what it was for him - as he used to say about journalism, “It’s not just a job - it’s a lifestyle.” Either in conversation or his columns, Brent proved he had a style that was completely his own. He embraced new responsibilities with intelligence and determination. He was also a fine mentor, particularly to younger staff members in New Minas and Windsor. He gave them his very best and they responded in kind, a sure sign of the regard and enormous respect they had for him.
His laugh was like a lion’s roar, Fred recalled. There was never any doubt when Brent found something funny. He was thoughtful, too, never afraid to call BS with an emphatic “Get serious!”
Reporter John DeCoste recalled Brent saying he would have chosen the military as his career if his health had allowed it. Fortunately for all of us, he chose journalism instead after acquiring a graduate degree in military history.
Brent’s sharp wit and sense of timing were legendary. To John, he was the quintessential colleague, and partner-in-crime, in the profession they had both ended up choosing pretty much by accident.
John remembered when Brent was made associate editor, that Fred had called him into his office and suggested he had “good news and bad news.” The good news was, “you’ve been promoted to associate editor. The bad news is, your replacement is you.”
For Kirk Starratt, Brent was simply the best. Back in August he told him on writing a stellar story, “you were great from the start, Kirk. And I’m not exaggerating.”
More than a great friend to Kirk, he generously shared his wealth of experience and wisdom. I wouldn’t be the journalist I am today without his guidance, Kirk says, whether it was how to write a court report or how to handle a challenging person or situation.
Everyone remembers his great sense of humor and that’s one of the things we’ll miss most about him. Brent could always make me laugh, according to Kirk, whether he intended to or not, it was just his way with words and the way he expressed himself.
Brent, also the author of four books, put in long, long hours in the newsroom, delighting when there were elections on. After he had to go on disability, he missed the news biz, but would speak of warm memories and zero regrets.
Heeding history, he warned, “don’t get too attached to politicians because, politically, they could have the lifespan of a cheap goldfish.”
Truly an original, we were proud of Brent for his many accomplishments and prouder still to have worked with him. And I’ll conclude with my favourite line of Brent’s: “remember food served at events you are covering has no calories!”