Pathetic Facts

Canadian music stars who deceased at age 80

Here are 25 famous musicians from Canada died at 80:

Frank Mathers

Frank Mathers (March 29, 1924 Winnipeg-February 9, 2005 Hershey) was a Canadian personality.

He was best known for his successful career in ice hockey, where he played as a defenseman for the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens. Mathers was also a former head coach and general manager for Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League (AHL), where he won two Calder Cup championships.

Following his retirement as a player, Mathers continued to be involved in ice hockey as a coach and executive, winning the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1984 for his contributions to the sport in the United States. Outside of hockey, Mathers served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, and also worked as a firefighter in his hometown of Winnipeg.

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Pierre Trudeau

Pierre Trudeau (October 18, 1919 Montreal-September 28, 2000 Montreal) also known as Pierre-Elliott Trudeau, PET, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Pierre Canada, Joseph Phillipe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, Elvis Trudeau or Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau was a Canadian politician, lawyer, professor, author, journalist, jurist, actor, screenwriter and academician. He had four children, Justin Trudeau, Alexandre Trudeau, Michel Trudeau and Sarah Elisabeth Trudeau.

Pierre Trudeau served as the 15th Prime Minister of Canada for 2 non-consecutive terms, from 1968 to 1979 and from 1980 to 1984, making him one of Canada's longest-serving Prime Ministers. During his tenure, he brought about significant changes in Canadian politics and society, including the adoption of official bilingualism and multiculturalism. He also introduced the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which cemented fundamental human rights and freedoms for all Canadians in the Constitution.

Trudeau was known for his charismatic personality and progressive policies, which often stirred controversy and public debate. He implemented policies aimed at reducing the power of the wealthy and increasing the autonomy of the federal government. Trudeau also played a significant role on the international stage, representing Canada in various important global events and meetings.

Prior to his political career, Trudeau studied at prestigious universities such as Harvard, the London School of Economics and the Université de Paris. He subsequently worked as a lawyer and then became a professor of law at the University of Montreal, where he was known for his outspoken views on politics and society.

Trudeau's legacy continues to be remembered and honored in Canada, and his distinctive impact on Canadian politics and society is widely recognized. In 2002, he was posthumously inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame.

He died caused by prostate cancer.

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Mack Sennett

Mack Sennett (January 17, 1880 Danville-November 5, 1960 Woodland Hills) also known as Michael Sinnott, Mack Sennet, Mr. Mack Sennett, Mikall Sinnott, Walter Terry or The King of Comedy was a Canadian comedian, actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, presenter, composer, cinematographer, film score composer, dancer, set designer, clown, singer and writer.

He was best known for creating slapstick comedy and is responsible for launching the careers of many famous actors including Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Roscoe Arbuckle. Sennett founded Keystone Studios in 1912, a company that produced hundreds of silent films and shorts throughout the 1910s and 1920s. He was known for his use of physical humor, innovative camera techniques, and absurd storylines. Sennett received an honorary Academy Award in 1937 for his contributions to the film industry, and was later inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. He continued to work in the industry throughout his life, but is remembered most for his pioneering work in the early days of Hollywood.

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Norma Shearer

Norma Shearer (August 10, 1902 Montreal-June 12, 1983 Woodland Hills) also known as Edith Norma Shearer, The First Lady Of MGM, Norma Shearer Arrouge or Queen Norma was a Canadian actor. She had two children, Irving Thalberg, Jr. and Katherine Thalberg.

Norma Shearer began her career in the entertainment industry as a silent film actress. However, she gained popularity in the 1930s as one of MGM's leading actresses, starring in films such as "The Divorcee," "A Free Soul," and "Marie Antoinette." She was nominated for an Academy Award six times and won Best Actress for her role in "The Divorcee" in 1930.

She was known for her sophisticated and glamorous image, and her fashion sense was highly influential during the 1930s. In addition to her acting career, Shearer was an active philanthropist and supported various causes, including the American Red Cross during World War II.

After her husband Irving Thalberg's death in 1936, Shearer's roles in films began to decline, and she eventually retired from acting in 1942. She continued to make occasional appearances on television and in films throughout the 1950s.

Overall, Norma Shearer had a successful acting career and left a lasting impact on the film industry. Her contributions to fashion and philanthropy also remain influential today.

She died as a result of bronchopneumonia.

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Thomas B. Costain

Thomas B. Costain (May 8, 1885 Brantford-October 8, 1965 New York City) a.k.a. Thomas Costain was a Canadian novelist and journalist. He had one child, Molly Costain Haycraft.

Costain began his career as a journalist for the Toronto-based newspaper The Globe, where he worked as a reporter and editor. In 1920, he moved to New York City to work for The Evening Post. He continued to write for various publications throughout his career, including The Saturday Evening Post and Reader's Digest.

Costain is best known for his historical novels, particularly his trilogy, which includes the titles, "The Silver Chalice," "The Black Rose," and "The Tontine." He was a skilled researcher and many of his novels were based on extensive historical documentation. His writing was popular with readers and critics alike and his books were often bestsellers.

Costain was also a philanthropist and a strong believer in the importance of education. In 1956, he established the Thomas B. Costain Charitable Foundation, which provides scholarships to Canadian students studying journalism or creative writing.

He passed away in 1965 at the age of 80 in New York City. Today, he is remembered as one of Canada's most well-known and respected authors.

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Jennie Kidd Trout

Jennie Kidd Trout (April 21, 1841-November 10, 1921 Los Angeles) a.k.a. Dr. Jennie Kidd Trout was a Canadian physician.

She was the first woman licensed to practice medicine in Canada and one of the first female physicians in the country. Trout graduated from the Toronto School of Medicine in 1875 where she was the only woman in her class. Afterwards, she moved to the United States to practice medicine because of the lack of opportunities for women in Canada at the time. She eventually returned to Canada and actively fought for the admission of women into medical schools. Later in her career, Trout also focused on improving the health of mothers and children. She was a pioneering figure in Canadian medicine and a trailblazer for women in the field.

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Charles Daudelin

Charles Daudelin (October 1, 1920 Granby-April 2, 2001) was a Canadian personality.

Charles Daudelin was a prominent Canadian sculptor who played a pivotal role in the Canadian art scene in the mid-twentieth century. Born in Granby, Quebec, he studied at École des Beaux-Arts in Montreal before pursuing his passion for sculpture. Daudelin was known for his public artworks and monumental sculptures that were installed in prominent places across Canada, including Place des Nations, Montreal Airport and the Canadian Embassy in Paris. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and received numerous awards and honors, including the Order of Canada. In addition to his work in sculpture, Daudelin was also an accomplished painter, and his works can be found in galleries and museums across Canada.

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Vincent Massey

Vincent Massey (February 20, 1887 Toronto-December 30, 1967 London) also known as Charles Vincent Massey was a Canadian politician, businessperson, diplomat and lawyer.

He was the first Canadian-born Governor General of Canada, serving from 1952 to 1959. Massey was also an accomplished historian and author, whose books included "The Chesterbelloc" and "What's Past is Prologue". Before his time in politics, Massey was a successful businessman, running a private insurance company and serving on the boards of several other companies. He was also a respected lawyer, practicing in Toronto and later serving as a member of the Canadian Bar Association. Additionally, Massey played an active role in public service, serving as a member of the Canadian delegation to the League of Nations in the 1920s and later becoming Canada's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in the early 1940s. His achievements in these various fields earned him numerous honors, including the Order of Canada and the Companion of Honour.

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Sydney Newman

Sydney Newman (April 1, 1917 Toronto-October 30, 1997 Toronto) also known as Sydney Cecil Newman was a Canadian film producer, television producer and screenwriter.

Newman is best known for being the creator of the renown British television series, Doctor Who. He also had a successful career as a television executive, serving as the head of drama at the BBC and later as the director of programming at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Throughout his career, Newman was recognized for his contributions to the film and television industries, receiving numerous accolades including the Order of Canada and the British Academy Television Special Award. In addition to his work in film and television, Newman also authored a book titled "The Canadian Establishment", which was published posthumously in 2006.

He died in myocardial infarction.

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Hugh Kenner

Hugh Kenner (January 7, 1923 Peterborough-November 24, 2003 Athens) otherwise known as William Hugh Kenner was a Canadian personality.

He was a literary critic and scholar whose works focused on modernist literature and language. Kenner was best known for his works on James Joyce, Ezra Pound, and Marshall McLuhan. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Truman Capote Award for Literary Criticism and the PEN/Spielvogel-Diamonstein Award for the Art of the Essay. He also taught at various universities, including Johns Hopkins University and the University of Georgia. Kenner's contributions to literary criticism and scholarship have been widely recognized and continue to influence the field to this day.

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Thomas Laird Kennedy

Thomas Laird Kennedy (August 15, 1878 Mississauga-February 13, 1959 Mississauga) was a Canadian politician.

Kennedy served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1919 to 1923 and then as a member of the House of Commons of Canada from 1925 to 1957, representing the Progressive Conservative Party. He held various positions in government, including serving as the Minister of National Defence during the Second World War. Kennedy was involved in several important decisions and initiatives during his tenure, such as the formation of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service and the introduction of conscription. Outside of politics, he was also involved in his family's business ventures, including lumber and coal companies.

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Robert Kerr

Robert Kerr (June 9, 1882 Enniskillen-May 12, 1963 Hamilton) was a Canadian personality.

Throughout his life, Kerr was known for his philanthropic work and dedication to promoting the arts. He was a prominent businessman who made a significant impact on the Canadian economy through his contributions to the steel and coal industries. Despite his success, he remained committed to supporting his community and helping those in need. He was particularly passionate about fostering a love of music and theater in young people, and his legacy lives on through the numerous organizations he founded and supported during his lifetime.

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Télesphore-Damien Bouchard

Télesphore-Damien Bouchard (December 20, 1881 Saint-Hyacinthe-November 13, 1962) a.k.a. Telesphore-Damien Bouchard was a Canadian personality.

He was a journalist, politician, and a member of the House of Commons of Canada. Bouchard served as a Member of Parliament for the Quebec riding of St. Hyacinthe from 1917 to 1940. He was also the founder of the weekly newspaper La Voix de St. Hyacinthe and was known for his pro-farmer and pro-labor views. In addition to his political career, Bouchard was a prolific writer, publishing several books on Canadian politics and history. He was also active in community organizations, including the St. Hyacinthe Chamber of Commerce and the local Catholic Church. Despite his many achievements, Bouchard is perhaps best remembered for his colorful personality and eccentric mannerisms.

William Stevens Fielding

William Stevens Fielding (November 24, 1848 Halifax-June 23, 1929 Ottawa) was a Canadian journalist and politician.

He began his journalism career at the young age of 17, when he started working for the Halifax Morning Chronicle. Later on, he became the editor of the Halifax Evening Express, and then the editor of the Daily Reporter in 1879. Apart from journalism, Fielding was also involved in politics. He was a member of the Liberal Party and served as the Premier of Nova Scotia from 1884 to 1896. In 1896, he was elected to the Canadian House of Commons from Shelburne and Queens and was appointed the Minister of Finance by Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Fielding held this position until 1911 and played a vital role in shaping Canada's economy during this time. He was known for his conservative financial policies and for introducing measures that would help expand the country's transportation infrastructure.

Charles Gavan Power

Charles Gavan Power (January 18, 1888 Sillery, Quebec City-May 30, 1968) was a Canadian lawyer.

In addition to being a lawyer, Charles Gavan Power was also a distinguished politician and military officer. He served as a Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons from 1921 to 1955, and held various cabinet positions including Minister of National Defence during World War II. He was also a Brigadier-General in the Canadian Army and played a key role in Allied campaigns in both World War I and World War II. After retiring from politics, Power wrote extensively on Canadian foreign policy and international affairs. He was also a co-founder of the Journal of Conflict Resolution, a publication dedicated to the study of conflict resolution and peace processes.

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William Wilfred Sullivan

William Wilfred Sullivan (December 6, 1839-September 30, 1920 Memramcook) was a Canadian politician.

He was born in Shediac, New Brunswick and studied at St. Joseph's College in Memramcook. Sullivan was a lawyer by profession and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in 1867. He became the 10th Premier of New Brunswick in 1878, serving until 1882. During his time as Premier, he oversaw significant reforms to the education system and also implemented a new court system. Sullivan was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1883 and served until his death in 1920. He was an advocate for railway development in the Maritimes and was involved in the establishment of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Sullivan was also a philanthropist and donated thousands of dollars to various causes throughout his life.

Walter L. Gordon

Walter L. Gordon (January 26, 1907 Toronto-March 21, 1987 Toronto) a.k.a. Walter Gordon was a Canadian politician.

He was a member of the Liberal Party of Canada and represented the riding of Davenport in the House of Commons from 1940 to 1957. In 1963, he was appointed as the Minister of Finance by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. He is known for introducing a number of tax reforms during his tenure as Finance Minister, including the establishment of the Royal Commission on Taxation. Gordon resigned as Finance Minister in 1965 following disagreements with Pearson over economic policies. After leaving politics, he served as the Chancellor of York University from 1975 to 1982. In recognition of his contributions to Canadian public life, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1974.

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Henry Pellatt

Henry Pellatt (January 6, 1859 Kingston-March 8, 1939 Mimico) a.k.a. Henry Mill Pellatt was a Canadian personality.

He was a successful Canadian financier and military man, who is best known for building Casa Loma, which is now a famous landmark in Toronto. Pellatt had a long and distinguished military career, rising to the rank of Major-General and serving with the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. He went on to become a prominent businessman and entrepreneur, with interests in real estate, banking, and electricity. Pellatt acquired a large fortune and spent much of it building his dream home, Casa Loma, which he designed himself with the help of renowned architect E. J. Lennox. Pellatt’s story is a fascinating part of Canadian history, and his legacy lives on through the iconic castle he built in Toronto.

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Carlyle Smith Beals

Carlyle Smith Beals (June 29, 1899 Canso-July 2, 1979 Ottawa) was a Canadian personality.

He was an esteemed astronomer known for his groundbreaking work in the fields of spectroscopy and photometry. Beals contributed significantly to our understanding of the chemistry and physics of the sun, stars, and galaxies, and his work was instrumental in paving the way for future advancements in this field. In addition to his research, Beals was also a prolific writer and lecturer, known for his ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible to a wider audience. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the prestigious Henry Norris Russell Lectureship in Astronomy, and was recognized as one of the most influential astronomers of his time.

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Mimi Parent

Mimi Parent (September 8, 1924 Montreal-June 14, 2005 Switzerland) was a Canadian artist and visual artist.

She was associated with the Surrealist movement and was an important figure in the history of Canadian art. Parent studied painting and drawing at the École des beaux-arts de Montreal before moving to Paris in the early 1950s, where she became involved with the Surrealist group led by André Breton. She exhibited her work regularly in Canada and internationally, and her paintings and collages explored themes of sexuality, identity, and the subconscious mind. In addition to her work as an artist, Parent was also a writer and a political activist, and played a significant role in promoting Surrealism in Canada. She was awarded the Order of Canada in 2004, the year before her death.

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Robert Shankland

Robert Shankland (October 10, 1887 Ayr-January 20, 1968 Vancouver) was a Canadian soldier.

He was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Shankland earned the Victoria Cross during World War I for his actions on October 26, 1917, at the Battle of Passchendaele. His unit, the 43rd Battalion (Cameron Highlanders of Canada), was tasked with attacking a heavily fortified enemy position near the village of Passchendaele in Belgian Flanders. Despite being wounded twice, Shankland pressed on with the attack and single-handedly captured three machine gun positions, killing or capturing all of the enemy soldiers. After the war, Shankland returned to British Columbia and worked as a carpenter and contractor. He died in Vancouver in 1968 and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery.

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George Halsey Perley

George Halsey Perley (September 12, 1857 Lebanon-January 4, 1938) was a Canadian personality.

Perley was a businessman, philanthropist, and politician. He was a member of the Canadian Parliament for over 20 years and was also a Minister of Defense during World War I. Perley was known for his charitable contributions to causes such as education, healthcare, and social welfare. He donated large sums of money to establish a hospital and a school for the deaf in his hometown of Lebanon, New Brunswick. He was also a major benefactor of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In addition to his philanthropy, Perley had a successful career in the lumber industry and was one of the wealthiest men in Canada during his time.

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Thomas Bain

Thomas Bain (December 14, 1834 Denny-January 18, 1915 Dundas, Ontario) was a Canadian personality.

He was a civil engineer best known for his work in the building of roads and bridges, particularly in South Africa. Bain spent the majority of his professional career in South Africa, where he designed and constructed over 900 miles of roads and more than 30 bridges. He also played a key role in developing the pass system that allowed for safe and efficient travel through the country's mountainous terrain. In addition to his engineering work, Bain was an artist and illustrator, and he used his talents to create detailed drawings and sketches of the landscapes and structures he encountered in his travels. His legacy continues to be felt in South Africa, where the roads and bridges he built are still in use today.

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Raoul Dandurand

Raoul Dandurand (November 4, 1861 Montreal-March 11, 1942) was a Canadian lawyer.

He was one of the founders of the law firm Dandurand, Valois, Miron et Cie in Montreal in 1897. Dandurand was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1898 and he served as Speaker of the Senate from 1916 to 1917. He was also a member of the Canadian delegation to the League of Nations in 1924 and Deputy Chairman of the Canadian delegation to the Imperial Conference in 1926. In addition to his work in politics and law, Dandurand was also a sports enthusiast and the owner of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team from 1921 to 1935.

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Lois Maxwell

Lois Maxwell (February 14, 1927 Kitchener-September 29, 2007 Fremantle) a.k.a. Lois Hooker, Lois Ruth Hooker or Lois Maxwell-Marriott was a Canadian actor, voice actor, journalist and businessperson. She had two children, Melinda Maxwell and Christian Marriott.

Maxwell was best known for her role as Miss Moneypenny in 14 James Bond films, from "Dr. No" (1962) to "A View to a Kill" (1985). She also had a successful career in television and appeared in numerous popular shows including "The Saint," "The Persuaders!" and "The Baron." In addition to her work in entertainment, Maxwell was also an accomplished journalist and wrote for several publications including the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail. She also owned and operated several successful businesses throughout her lifetime. Despite her successful career, Maxwell struggled with financial difficulties later in life and lived in Australia for the last years of her life. She was posthumously inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2008.

She died caused by colorectal cancer.

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