A bright and brilliant light has gone out in the world..Edward Bartlett ‘Ted’ Byfield passed away. .Byfield “drew his last breath peacefully in his home surrounded by family” Thursday evening, said his devoted son Vincent Byfield..Byfield accomplished so much in his 93 years, impacted so many lives, fought so hard for Western Canada and Christianity, it is impossible to do justice to that fearless man with the most wonderful, hearty laugh..He was dedicated to God, family, country, justice, and truth. .No one ever walked away from what was inevitably a long conversation with Byfield without being wiser, more informed, and entertained. .And often suitably humbled after being set straight..The impact of the Alberta newspaperman, educator, and publisher — most notably of the influential Alberta Report Magazine; The Christians, a 12-volume book series on the history of Christianity; and an 11-volume history of Alberta— on the Canadian political scene is immeasurable..“Ted and his magazine were the true champions of what became the Reform Party and later the Conservative Party of Canada,” said former Conservative Edmonton MP Kerry Diotte..“At his heart, Ted was a storyteller and a great one at that — whether it was through his opinion columns, Alberta encyclopedia, or when spinning tales from his colourful past..“He was a giant among a dying breed of dedicated journalists who are unafraid to tell the truth,” said Diotte who worked under Byfield at Alberta Report in the mid-’80s and until recently joined him regularly for weekly gatherings at Byfield’s favourite watering hole, Uncle Glenn’s Eatery & Sports Pub in Edmonton.. KerryKerry Diotte with Ted Byfield .“I learned the specialized craft of newsmagazine writing under Ted at Alberta Report but really got to know him well several years later. That’s when I came to realize what a great guy he was. I’ll miss him a lot — as will many others.”.Byfield was widely acknowledged as a founding father of late 20th-century Canadian conservatism, said his friend Nigel Hannaford, a former long-time Calgary Herald columnist, and former manager of former prime minister Stephen Harper’s speechwriter’s unit..He challenged Western alienation and came up with “The West Wants In,” Alberta Report’s rallying cry, later adopted by the Reform Party..“He was not so much a man of his time, but of the times that he wanted to inspire,” said Hannaford. .Hannaford marveled at Byfield’s tireless tenacity..“What struck me about Ted as long as I knew him, was that he was always on a mission. There’s no question that through his own writings and his publications, he was a voice for people to whom the mainstream parties didn’t care to listen. And in that respect, he had a huge role in the early success of the Reform Party and later the Canadian Alliance and the Conservative Party of Canada.”.“But I’ve never seen anybody like him who as one project was wrapping up, was on to the next — right into his 90s — generating challenging, insightful manuscripts that accurately divined the times, encouraged conservatives and challenged them to take action..“The other thing we’ve lost is Ted Byfield as a mentor. It is not the least of his accomplishments that the Canadian newspaper industry is plentifully seeded with Report alumni, some at very senior levels.”.They include former Saturday Night magazine editor Kenneth Whyte and newsman turned speechwriter for Harper, Paul Bunner..Alberta Premier Jason Kenney paid tribute to Byfield with a series of tweets on Friday..“A remarkable man and a great Albertan: old school journalist, educator, historian, publisher, entrepreneur. An irascible character with a heart of gold who had an enormous impact on Canadian journalism and politics,” tweeted Kenney..“One of his enduring legacies will be the masterful 11 volume Alberta in the 20th Century series, a colourful, popular history. Ted was a friend to me and countless others. He was one of the first people to welcome me to Alberta when I arrived here from SK over 30 years ago..“He was also a man of profound faith, spending much of his life preparing for his death. My sincere condolences to the Byfield family and his legion of friends. Eternal rest grant unto him, and may light perpetual shine upon him.”.During the latter years of his life, Byfield invested “tremendous energy” into a training program for young writers. .I had the privilege of working on that project and in the Alberta Report newsroom all those years ago..I recall being mesmerized by Byfield who would opine, sometimes rant, at length on an issue, animated and enthusiastic even at 2 a.m. (he worked us hard, and it was an amazing experience). .He never lost that captivating ability to tell a story..“Ted was a fiery gentleman who constantly joked that at his age, it was a miracle he woke up every day,” said his friend Clare Denman..“But not a surprise to those who knew him. He was so alive with the passion and hope of his convictions, but more so, he was genuinely curious and enlivened by listening to the views of others. I will miss our conversations which would never solve the problems of the world, but always left me feeling appreciative and connected to an evolving history.”.Byfield was born and raised in Toronto. In 1946, the family moved to Washington D.C. where, at 17, he worked as a copy boy for the Washington Post..In 1948, back in Canada, he got a job as a reporter for the now-defunct Ottawa Journal. .That’s where he met Virginia (Ginger), a summer intern. They were married the following year and eventually had six children..As a rookie journalist, Byfield was innovative. While working at the Winnipeg Free Press he once used an air-conditioning duct to spy on a meeting where city councilors were discussing a scam involving municipal funds..In 1952, inspired by the writings of G.K. Chesterton and C.S. Lewis, the Byfields became Anglican Christians..In 1962, they started St. John’s Cathedral School, the first of three boarding schools for boys near Selkirk, Manitoba. Education included learning the values of self-reliance, teamwork, and confidence. It was appropriately advertised as the “toughest school in North America.”.He returned to journalism in 1973 and proceeded to launch the St. John’s Edmonton Report, St. John’s Calgary Report, Western Report, B.C. Report and Alberta Report — publications that embraced western conservatism, unapologetic Christian viewpoints, and the view that government is obliged to carry out the will of the people..The feisty controversial, Edmonton-based Alberta Report weekly newsmagazine ceased publication in 2003..Byfield was predeceased in 2014 by Ginger who he once described as “his best, friend, best editor, and best drinking partner.” As time passed, missing Ginger never got any easier for him..He is also predeceased by his son Link, co-founder of the Wildrose Party of Alberta in 2007 who died of cancer in 2015, and daughter Philippa who died in 2007..Goodbye Ted. And thank you..Slobodian is the Senior Manitoba Columnist for the Western Standard.lslobodian@westernstandardonline.com
A bright and brilliant light has gone out in the world..Edward Bartlett ‘Ted’ Byfield passed away. .Byfield “drew his last breath peacefully in his home surrounded by family” Thursday evening, said his devoted son Vincent Byfield..Byfield accomplished so much in his 93 years, impacted so many lives, fought so hard for Western Canada and Christianity, it is impossible to do justice to that fearless man with the most wonderful, hearty laugh..He was dedicated to God, family, country, justice, and truth. .No one ever walked away from what was inevitably a long conversation with Byfield without being wiser, more informed, and entertained. .And often suitably humbled after being set straight..The impact of the Alberta newspaperman, educator, and publisher — most notably of the influential Alberta Report Magazine; The Christians, a 12-volume book series on the history of Christianity; and an 11-volume history of Alberta— on the Canadian political scene is immeasurable..“Ted and his magazine were the true champions of what became the Reform Party and later the Conservative Party of Canada,” said former Conservative Edmonton MP Kerry Diotte..“At his heart, Ted was a storyteller and a great one at that — whether it was through his opinion columns, Alberta encyclopedia, or when spinning tales from his colourful past..“He was a giant among a dying breed of dedicated journalists who are unafraid to tell the truth,” said Diotte who worked under Byfield at Alberta Report in the mid-’80s and until recently joined him regularly for weekly gatherings at Byfield’s favourite watering hole, Uncle Glenn’s Eatery & Sports Pub in Edmonton.. KerryKerry Diotte with Ted Byfield .“I learned the specialized craft of newsmagazine writing under Ted at Alberta Report but really got to know him well several years later. That’s when I came to realize what a great guy he was. I’ll miss him a lot — as will many others.”.Byfield was widely acknowledged as a founding father of late 20th-century Canadian conservatism, said his friend Nigel Hannaford, a former long-time Calgary Herald columnist, and former manager of former prime minister Stephen Harper’s speechwriter’s unit..He challenged Western alienation and came up with “The West Wants In,” Alberta Report’s rallying cry, later adopted by the Reform Party..“He was not so much a man of his time, but of the times that he wanted to inspire,” said Hannaford. .Hannaford marveled at Byfield’s tireless tenacity..“What struck me about Ted as long as I knew him, was that he was always on a mission. There’s no question that through his own writings and his publications, he was a voice for people to whom the mainstream parties didn’t care to listen. And in that respect, he had a huge role in the early success of the Reform Party and later the Canadian Alliance and the Conservative Party of Canada.”.“But I’ve never seen anybody like him who as one project was wrapping up, was on to the next — right into his 90s — generating challenging, insightful manuscripts that accurately divined the times, encouraged conservatives and challenged them to take action..“The other thing we’ve lost is Ted Byfield as a mentor. It is not the least of his accomplishments that the Canadian newspaper industry is plentifully seeded with Report alumni, some at very senior levels.”.They include former Saturday Night magazine editor Kenneth Whyte and newsman turned speechwriter for Harper, Paul Bunner..Alberta Premier Jason Kenney paid tribute to Byfield with a series of tweets on Friday..“A remarkable man and a great Albertan: old school journalist, educator, historian, publisher, entrepreneur. An irascible character with a heart of gold who had an enormous impact on Canadian journalism and politics,” tweeted Kenney..“One of his enduring legacies will be the masterful 11 volume Alberta in the 20th Century series, a colourful, popular history. Ted was a friend to me and countless others. He was one of the first people to welcome me to Alberta when I arrived here from SK over 30 years ago..“He was also a man of profound faith, spending much of his life preparing for his death. My sincere condolences to the Byfield family and his legion of friends. Eternal rest grant unto him, and may light perpetual shine upon him.”.During the latter years of his life, Byfield invested “tremendous energy” into a training program for young writers. .I had the privilege of working on that project and in the Alberta Report newsroom all those years ago..I recall being mesmerized by Byfield who would opine, sometimes rant, at length on an issue, animated and enthusiastic even at 2 a.m. (he worked us hard, and it was an amazing experience). .He never lost that captivating ability to tell a story..“Ted was a fiery gentleman who constantly joked that at his age, it was a miracle he woke up every day,” said his friend Clare Denman..“But not a surprise to those who knew him. He was so alive with the passion and hope of his convictions, but more so, he was genuinely curious and enlivened by listening to the views of others. I will miss our conversations which would never solve the problems of the world, but always left me feeling appreciative and connected to an evolving history.”.Byfield was born and raised in Toronto. In 1946, the family moved to Washington D.C. where, at 17, he worked as a copy boy for the Washington Post..In 1948, back in Canada, he got a job as a reporter for the now-defunct Ottawa Journal. .That’s where he met Virginia (Ginger), a summer intern. They were married the following year and eventually had six children..As a rookie journalist, Byfield was innovative. While working at the Winnipeg Free Press he once used an air-conditioning duct to spy on a meeting where city councilors were discussing a scam involving municipal funds..In 1952, inspired by the writings of G.K. Chesterton and C.S. Lewis, the Byfields became Anglican Christians..In 1962, they started St. John’s Cathedral School, the first of three boarding schools for boys near Selkirk, Manitoba. Education included learning the values of self-reliance, teamwork, and confidence. It was appropriately advertised as the “toughest school in North America.”.He returned to journalism in 1973 and proceeded to launch the St. John’s Edmonton Report, St. John’s Calgary Report, Western Report, B.C. Report and Alberta Report — publications that embraced western conservatism, unapologetic Christian viewpoints, and the view that government is obliged to carry out the will of the people..The feisty controversial, Edmonton-based Alberta Report weekly newsmagazine ceased publication in 2003..Byfield was predeceased in 2014 by Ginger who he once described as “his best, friend, best editor, and best drinking partner.” As time passed, missing Ginger never got any easier for him..He is also predeceased by his son Link, co-founder of the Wildrose Party of Alberta in 2007 who died of cancer in 2015, and daughter Philippa who died in 2007..Goodbye Ted. And thank you..Slobodian is the Senior Manitoba Columnist for the Western Standard.lslobodian@westernstandardonline.com
