A Brief Tribute To George Jonas
Canadian broadcast journalist and author George Jonas
(Chris Wojnarowski, a longtime resident of Niagara, Ontario and a past contributor of commentary to Niagara At Large, sent NAL the following note in
response to the passing this January 1oth of pop art icon David Bowie.
In his note, Chris asked if NAL could also pay tribute to George Jonas, a Canadian broadcaster, poet and writer of many books, including the 1984 best seller Vengeance, who was honoured in 2013 with an Order of Canada membership and who also died this January 10th at age 80.
I let Chris know that in my view, his note was a fine tribute to George Jonas and, as I promised him, we are posting it here – Doug Draper, Publisher, Niagara At Large)
A Tribute By Chris Wojnarowski
Posted January 12th, 2016 on Niagara At Large
Like you I am wistful at the passing of David Bowie.
I still have an original 33-1/3 LP of Ziggy Stardust. Those were the days. 1972 seems like just yesterday.
Coincidentally, but with much less fanfare, it was announced that one of Canada’s great writers and a cornerstone of contemporary publishing just died.
Like Bowie, George Jonas, had been ailing for some time. I bring this up because the curmudgeonly Jonas showed me a special kindness, for no special reason that I can determine, other than I had asked him.
He took the time to encourage me to write, and not be afraid to be heard. He cautioned however, that I should only speak out if I had something worthwhile to say. That of course is in the ear of the beholder.
None the less, his lasting advice was to write as if I was holding an intimate conversation with someone over coffee or a glass of wine, and not be pedantic or declamatory.
I hope you have place in your column for a tribute to this great man, a man who lived life to the fullest, wrote from experience … fearlessly from the heart, and although he never suffered fools gladly, he was a most noble spirit. He was my hero and will be missed.
Regards Chris Wojnarowski
For more on the life and times of George Jonas click on – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Jonas .
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