Pathetic Facts

Canadian music stars who deceased at age 68

Here are 25 famous musicians from Canada died at 68:

Dave Balon

Dave Balon (August 2, 1938 Wakaw-May 29, 2007 Prince Albert) was a Canadian ice hockey player.

Balon began his professional hockey career with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1959-60 season, and won three Stanley Cup championships with the team in the early 1960s. He was later traded to the Minnesota North Stars and went on to play for several other teams including the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, and St. Louis Blues. Balon was known for his physical style of play and was a prolific scorer, with over 300 goals in his career. In retirement, he became a scout for the Montreal Canadiens and later served as a player agent. Balon's jersey number was retired by the Prince Albert Raiders in 2009 in honor of his contributions to the team.

He died as a result of multiple sclerosis.

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J. Philippe Rushton

J. Philippe Rushton (December 3, 1943 Bournemouth-October 2, 2012 London) also known as Phil Rushton, J. Rushton or John P. Rushton was a Canadian psychologist and professor.

Rushton was known for his research on intelligence, race, and genetics, and was a controversial figure due to his views on these topics. He authored several books including "Race, Evolution, and Behavior" and "The Pioneer Fund: Pioneer of Hate?", and published numerous articles in scientific journals. Rushton was a professor of psychology at the University of Western Ontario from 1977 until his death in 2012. He was a fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Though his work was often met with criticism and controversy, Rushton remained dedicated to his research and was a prominent figure in the field of evolutionary psychology.

He died as a result of cancer.

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Carol Shields

Carol Shields (June 2, 1935 Oak Park-July 16, 2003 Victoria) a.k.a. Carol Ann Warner or Carol Ann Shields was a Canadian writer, novelist and author. She had two children, Anne Giardini and Sara Cassidy.

Shields is most well-known for her novel "The Stone Diaries," which won both the Governor General's Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1995. She wrote a number of other critically acclaimed works, including "Larry's Party," "Swann," and "Unless," among others. Shields was also a professor of English and writing at the University of Manitoba and later at the University of British Columbia. In addition to her literary accomplishments, she was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1998 for her contributions to Canadian literature.

She died as a result of breast cancer.

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Bliss Carman

Bliss Carman (April 15, 1861 Fredericton-June 8, 1929 New Canaan) also known as William Bliss Carman or Bliss Carmen was a Canadian poet.

Carman, along with Charles G.D. Roberts, was a leading figure in the Confederation Poets, who were a group of Canadian poets that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and sought to develop a distinct voice in Canadian poetry. Carman's poetry often dealt with nature and the mystical aspects of existence. He published numerous collections of poetry throughout his life, including Low Tide on Grand Pré, Sappho: One Hundred Lyrics, and Songs of the Sea Children. In addition to his poetry, Carman was also an essayist, editor, and lecturer, and had a significant impact on Canadian literature during his lifetime.

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Jean Lesage

Jean Lesage (June 10, 1912 Montreal-December 12, 1980 Sillery, Quebec City) was a Canadian politician and lawyer.

He was the 19th Premier of Quebec from 1960 to 1966, and he played a pivotal role in shaping modern Québec society. Lesage was a charismatic leader who believed in modernization, and he is credited with starting Quebec's "Quiet Revolution," during which time Quebec began to secularize, industrialize, and gain greater control over its economy. Lesage's initiatives included the nationalization of hydroelectric power, the creation of Université du Québec, and the establishment of the Ministry of Education. He also introduced a series of social programs aimed at improving the standard of living for Quebecers. After leaving politics, Lesage continued to work as a lawyer and advocate for Quebec's autonomy within Canada.

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Michael Smith

Michael Smith (April 26, 1932 Blackpool-October 4, 2000 Vancouver) was a Canadian chemist and scientist.

He is best known for his pioneering work in the field of DNA research, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993. Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Smith studied at the University of Manchester before moving to Canada in 1956 to pursue his graduate studies. He went on to become a professor at the University of British Columbia, where he spent the majority of his career.

In addition to his groundbreaking DNA work, Smith also made significant contributions to the field of protein chemistry and was a strong advocate for science education and research. He was a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a member of the Order of Canada, among numerous other honors and awards.

Smith's legacy continues to influence scientific research today, particularly in the areas of genomics and proteomics. The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, which provides funding for health research across British Columbia, was established in his honor in 2001.

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Thomas Chandler Haliburton

Thomas Chandler Haliburton (December 17, 1796 Windsor-August 27, 1865 Isleworth) otherwise known as Chandler Haliburton was a Canadian judge.

He was also a noted politician and author, who is best known for his humorous and satirical works, in particular his book "The Clockmaker". Haliburton studied law and was called to the bar in 1820. He practiced law in Nova Scotia and was eventually appointed a judge in 1829, a position he held for over 30 years. In addition to his legal and judicial work, Haliburton was involved in politics, serving as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia and as a member of the Executive Council of Nova Scotia. As an author, he wrote a series of books featuring the character Sam Slick, a witty and humorous Yankee clockmaker who travelled throughout Nova Scotia and the United States. These books were immensely popular and helped establish Haliburton as one of Canada's early literary figures.

Sam Hughes

Sam Hughes (January 8, 1853 Clarington-August 24, 1921 Lindsay) was a Canadian teacher. His child is called Garnet Hughes.

In addition to being a teacher, Sam Hughes was also a prominent politician, lawyer, and militia officer in Canada. He served as a Member of Parliament from 1892 to 1915 before being appointed as Canada's Minister of Militia and Defence in 1911. During World War I, Hughes played a significant role in organizing and expanding the Canadian Expeditionary Force. However, his actions during the war were controversial and eventually led to his resignation in 1916. Despite the criticism he faced, Hughes remained an influential figure in Canadian politics and military affairs until his death in 1921.

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Adam Beck

Adam Beck (June 20, 1857 Baden, Ontario-August 15, 1925 London) was a Canadian personality.

He is known as a successful businessman who made his fortune in the electric power industry in Ontario. Beck was also a prominent politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and as the Mayor of London, Ontario.

Beck is best remembered as the founder of the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario, which later became Ontario Hydro. As a proponent of public ownership of utilities, Beck's vision was to make electricity affordable and accessible to all citizens of the province. Under his leadership, Ontario Hydro became a model for other publicly-owned power utilities around the world.

Aside from his contributions to the power industry, Beck was also a dedicated philanthropist who supported various charitable causes such as healthcare, education, and the arts. He left a lasting legacy in Ontario, and many of the institutions he helped establish continue to thrive to this day.

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William Berczy

William Berczy (December 10, 1744 Wallerstein-February 5, 1813 New York City) was a Canadian personality.

He was a painter, architect, and musician. He was also one of the founding members of the Law Society of Upper Canada, and a prominent figure in the early history of Toronto. Berczy played a key role in the development of the city's civic infrastructure, and was responsible for the design and construction of several important buildings and public spaces. His contributions to the arts and culture of Canada have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, and his legacy continues to be celebrated to this day.

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Lomer Gouin

Lomer Gouin (March 19, 1861 Province of Canada-March 28, 1929 Quebec City) was a Canadian politician and lawyer.

He served as the 13th Premier of Quebec from 1905 to 1920, during which time he implemented a number of significant social reforms. Gouin was a strong advocate for education, and during his time in office he oversaw the creation of Quebec's public school system. He also introduced several laws that aimed to protect workers' rights, including the introduction of the eight-hour workday. In addition to his political career, Gouin was also a successful lawyer and was known for his expertise in corporate finance. After leaving politics, he continued to work as a lawyer until his death in 1929.

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Louis-Honoré Fréchette

Louis-Honoré Fréchette (November 16, 1839 Lévis-May 31, 1908) also known as Louis-Honore Frechette was a Canadian writer, poet and playwright.

Born in Quebec, Fréchette was greatly influenced by the French Canadian literary movement, and became a leading figure of the Confederation Poets. He received numerous awards for his literary work, including the Royal Society of Canada’s Lorne Pierce Medal and the Prix David. In addition to his writing career, Fréchette was also involved in politics, serving as a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons from 1896 to 1904. He was a strong advocate for French-Canadian culture and language rights, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Royal Society of Canada’s French language section. Fréchette’s legacy as a writer and champion of French-Canadian culture continues to be celebrated in Canada today.

Daniel Duncan McKenzie

Daniel Duncan McKenzie (January 8, 1859 Cape Breton Island-June 8, 1927 Halifax) was a Canadian lawyer and judge.

Daniel Duncan McKenzie studied law at Dalhousie University and became a successful lawyer and a prominent figure in the legal community of Halifax. In 1906, he was appointed to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, where he presided over many high-profile cases. In 1918, he was elevated to the position of Chief Justice of Nova Scotia, a position he held until his death in 1927. During his judicial career, he was known for his fairness, impartiality, and adherence to the law. McKenzie was also active in community affairs, serving as President of the Nova Scotia Historical Society and as a member of the Board of Governors of Dalhousie University. He was one of the most respected and distinguished judges in Canada at the time, and his legacy continues to inspire and influence lawyers and judges today.

Joseph Howe

Joseph Howe (December 13, 1804 Halifax-June 1, 1873) was a Canadian personality.

He was a journalist, statesman, and reformer who is known for his significant contribution to Canadian democracy and free press. He started his career as a printer's apprentice and later became the owner of the Novascotian and Morning Chronicle newspapers. In the 1830s, he began advocating for political reform and opposing the oligarchy that ruled Nova Scotia. He famously defended freedom of the press in 1835, when he was charged with seditious libel for criticizing local government. His successful defence helped establish the principles of responsible government and freedom of the press in Canada. Howe later entered politics, serving as a member of the Nova Scotia legislature and as Premier of Nova Scotia from 1860 to 1863. He advocated for education reform, economic development, and responsible government. Today, he is considered one of Canada's most important historical figures and is celebrated as a champion of freedom, democracy, and the rights of ordinary citizens.

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Walter Thomson

Walter Thomson (December 21, 1895 Hastings County-April 27, 1964) was a Canadian personality.

He is best known for being a renowned inventor and businessman. Thomson is the inventor of the first continuous-motion food freezing machine and holds several patents for his inventions in the food industry. As a successful businessman, he founded and led the Wallace & Tiernan Company of Canada, a company that specialized in producing and supplying water treatment chemicals and equipment. In addition to his contributions to the food and water treatment industries, Thomson was also a prominent philanthropist and contributed generously to various charities and causes throughout his life. He was widely respected for his innovative ideas and his commitment to improving the lives of others.

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David McTaggart

David McTaggart (June 24, 1932 Vancouver-March 23, 2001) was a Canadian personality.

McTaggart was an environmental activist who played a key role in the early days of the Greenpeace movement. He was one of the founding members of Greenpeace and worked tirelessly to protect the environment, particularly through actions against nuclear testing and nuclear weapons. In 1971, he navigated the Greenpeace ship, the Phyllis Cormack, into the testing zone of the Amchitka nuclear testing site in Alaska, and helped spark a global movement against nuclear testing. Despite being arrested and detained, his efforts led to the cancellation of the test. He was also instrumental in campaigning against commercial whaling and the dumping of toxic waste at sea. His environmental activism earned him numerous awards, including the Order of Canada, the United Nations Environment Program Global 500 Roll of Honour, and the Right Livelihood Award.

He died as a result of traffic collision.

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James Thomas Milton Anderson

James Thomas Milton Anderson (July 23, 1878 Canada-December 29, 1946 Saskatoon) was a Canadian personality.

He was a veterinarian and a pioneer in the field of animal husbandry. Anderson achieved national prominence as an advocate for improved livestock breeding practices and as a promoter of agricultural education. He was a prolific writer and his articles on agriculture and animal breeding were published in various Canadian farm journals. Anderson was also known for his political activism and was a member of the Saskatchewan legislature from 1925 to 1934. He played a key role in shaping agricultural policies in the province and advocated for the rights of farmers. Today, he is fondly remembered as a champion of Canadian agriculture and as a pioneer in the field of animal husbandry.

Félix-Gabriel Marchand

Félix-Gabriel Marchand (January 9, 1832 Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-September 25, 1900) also known as Felix-Gabriel Marchand was a Canadian personality.

Marchand was a journalist, lawyer, and politician who served as the 11th Premier of Quebec from 1897 until his death in 1900. Prior to his political career, he worked as a journalist for a number of newspapers, including La Minerve and Le Courrier du Canada. Marchand was also an eloquent speaker and used his skills to campaign for the Liberal Party of Quebec.

During his premiership, Marchand oversaw the expansion of the province's public education system, the creation of a provincial income tax, and the implementation of measures to support agricultural development. He also established the Quebec Bridge Company, which oversaw the construction of the Quebec Bridge, the longest cantilever bridge in the world, at the time.

Marchand was widely respected for his values of honesty and integrity, and his commitment to social justice. He was also an advocate for the preservation of the French language and culture in Quebec, and worked to reinforce the province's autonomy within the federation of Canada.

Today, Marchand is remembered as one of Quebec's most influential political leaders, and his legacy continues to shape the province's cultural and political landscape.

James Dunsmuir

James Dunsmuir (July 8, 1851 Fort Vancouver-June 6, 1920 Cowichan Bay) was a Canadian personality. His child is Muriel Dunsmuir.

James Dunsmuir was a prominent businessman and politician in British Columbia, Canada. He was the eldest son of Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish immigrant who made his fortune in coal mining. James followed in his father's footsteps and became a successful businessman, owning and operating a number of coal mines and lumber mills on Vancouver Island.

In addition to his business ventures, Dunsmuir was also active in politics, serving as the Premier of British Columbia from 1900 to 1902. During his time in office, he oversaw the construction of several important public works projects, including the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Victoria-Vancouver telegraph line.

Dunsmuir was also known for his lavish lifestyle, with a mansion in Victoria and a summer home in Cowichan Bay. He passed away in 1920 at the age of 68, leaving behind a significant legacy in both business and politics.

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John Robson

John Robson (March 14, 1824 Perth-June 29, 1892 London) was a Canadian personality.

John Robson was a Canadian journalist, politician, and Premier of British Columbia from 1889 to 1892. Born in Perth, Canada, Robson started his career as a printer in Toronto and later became a journalist. He moved to British Columbia in 1862, where he became the editor of the British Colonist newspaper.

Robson was a strong advocate for the development of British Columbia and played a key role in its economic growth. He also championed the cause of women's suffrage and introduced a motion in the provincial legislature in 1887 for the enfranchisement of women.

Robson was elected Premier of British Columbia in 1889, taking over from his predecessor, Alexander Edmund Batson Davie. During his tenure, Robson implemented a number of important initiatives, including the construction of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway and the establishment of a provincial university. He was also a key figure in the negotiations leading to the entry of British Columbia into Confederation in 1871.

Robson died in London in 1892 while serving as Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. He is remembered as one of the most influential figures in British Columbia's history and his legacy continues to be celebrated to this day.

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Frederick Peters

Frederick Peters (April 8, 1851 Charlottetown-July 29, 1919 Prince Rupert) was a Canadian politician.

He served as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Russell in Ontario from 1896 to 1904 and served as the Minister of Trade and Commerce from 1900 to 1904 in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Peters was the first Canadian politician to advocate for a transcontinental railway connecting the east and west coasts of Canada. After leaving federal politics, he moved to British Columbia and served as the mayor of Prince Rupert from 1910 to 1912. Peters was also a successful businessman, having made his fortune in the lumber and shipping industries.

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Donald Farquharson

Donald Farquharson (July 27, 1834-June 26, 1903) was a Canadian politician.

He was born in Scotland and immigrated to Canada in 1856. Farquharson was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1867, representing the riding of Addington South. He served as a Conservative member of the provincial parliament for over 20 years and held various ministerial positions including Minister of Finance and Minister of Agriculture. In 1891, he was appointed to the Canadian Senate by Prime Minister John A. Macdonald and remained in the Senate until his death in 1903. Farquharson is remembered for his contributions to the development of agriculture in Canada and for his support of protective tariffs.

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Eva Tanguay

Eva Tanguay (August 1, 1878 Québec-January 11, 1947) was a Canadian singer.

Eva Tanguay was known for her dynamic, energetic stage presence and her signature song, "I Don't Care". She was a major star in vaudeville in the early 20th century, often referred to as the "Queen of Vaudeville", and was one of the first female performers to break with tradition and perform in widely varying costumes rather than the traditional gown. Tanguay was also known for her outspoken personality, off-stage antics, and her ability to captivate audiences with her unique, quirky style. Her legacy continues to influence popular music, and her contributions to the entertainment industry are remembered as groundbreaking and influential.

She died as a result of myocardial infarction.

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Clifford Sifton

Clifford Sifton (March 10, 1861 Middlesex County-April 17, 1929 New York City) was a Canadian lawyer.

He served as the Minister of the Interior in the Canadian government from 1896 to 1905, during which he played a significant role in the settlement and development of western Canada. Sifton was instrumental in creating the Dominion Lands Act, which made it easier for settlers to acquire land in the west, and he also encouraged immigration to the region. He believed that a strong agricultural base was essential to the growth of Canada, and he worked diligently to promote settlement and development of the western region. After leaving politics, he continued to be involved in business and agriculture, and he was a strong advocate for Canada's interests in the United States. Sifton was also a philanthropist, and he supported a number of charitable causes throughout his life. Today, he is remembered as a visionary leader who played a critical role in shaping the future of western Canada.

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Sir John Rose, 1st Baronet

Sir John Rose, 1st Baronet (August 2, 1820 Turriff-August 24, 1888 Loseley Park) was a Canadian lawyer and politician.

He was born in Scotland and emigrated to Canada in 1834. Rose became a successful lawyer and was elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada in 1857. He served as the Minister of Finance in the government of Sir John A. Macdonald from 1873 to 1878, and played a significant role in the formation of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

In 1878, Rose was appointed as the High Commissioner for Canada to the United Kingdom, a position he held until 1883. During his time in London, he was instrumental in negotiating the British North America Act of 1886, which established Canada as a self-governing dominion within the British Empire.

In recognition of his service to Canada, Rose was made a baronet in 1885. He retired to his estate at Loseley Park in Surrey, England, where he died in 1888.