Obit for Barry Westgate

Former Journal columnist Barry Westgate, dead at 65: 'Colourful' writer worked at the paper for 31 years
Edmonton Journal
Tue Jun 11 2002
Page: B3
Section: City
Byline: Mark Spector, Journal Staff Writer
Dateline: Edmonton
Source: The Edmonton Journal

Barry Westgate's exterior could be as prickly as the trademark brush cut he favoured.

But for those who knew him well, he could be as warm as his favourite pair of knee-high socks.

Westgate died Monday, making hearts heavy at The Journal, where he worked for 31 years.

"As crusty an old fart as he was, Barry had a very good heart," said the National Post sports columnist Cam Cole, whose first columnist job came at The Journal in the 1980s under Westgate.

"For as much rabble as he roused at The Journal, I don't think there were too many people there who were more loved by one and all when he left.

"He didn't put up with any guff," recalled Cole, "but he always gave you an honest answer."

At the age of 65, Westgate succumbed to cancer at a hospital in Vancouver, where he lived in retirement with his wife Edelayne.

He reached his pinnacle as a city columnist in the '70s, penning columns that came with a strong opinion. Whether or not it was one shared by the reader, well, Westgate never lost much sleep over that.

"He was a colourful individual who loved the newspaper business and had a passion for writing," said Journal publisher Linda Hughes.

"He always had strong opinions, but as a columnist his main concern was the writing itself, and he often spent hours writing and re-writing his columns, trying to perfect his work."

As a section editor, Westgate was both a fierce protector and valuable mentor for the writers who matched his thirst for the trade.

Reporters who may have been scooped on a story seldom received a verbal admonishment from Westgate. Instead, they would find the competitor's clipping on their desk, with a hand written remark from Westgate: "Hmmmm...?"

"If you made a mistake," said Journal hockey writer Joanne Ireland, "he'd say, 'You did screw up, but there's another newspaper tomorrow.' "

Born on April 19, 1937, in Te Awamutu, New Zealand, Westgate is survived by three younger brothers and a younger sister. All reside in New Zealand.

He came to Canada at age 23, quickly landing a job at The Journal covering the arts and entertainment scene. He didn't waste any time in making an impression.

"He was young. There was controversy," said sister-in-law Val Brandt. "Edmonton wasn't used to having someone who would condemn a show. The Edmonton Opera, the Citadel -- people back then thought if someone brought a show to town we should at least be polite to them and give it a nice review."

Westgate covered everyone from Johnny Cash to Beverley Sills on the entertainment beat in the '60s and '70s.

It was about that time that Westgate stepped on to an elevator to find a fair young ballet dancer named Edelayne, who would become his wife. They had no children. "They were engaged on their second date," Brandt said, "but they decided they shouldn't tell people for three more weeks. It would be too fast."

Westgate was a runner who went through his routine some 14 years without missing a day. On a flight back to New Zealand he even jogging the Los Angeles airport parking lot because he didn't want to break his streak. He also fancied harness horses as a bettor and an owner over the years.

There's no funeral planned.