I’d watch him with his fans and couldn’t help being one myself
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
It’s with some hesitation that I try to put into words what Rex Murphy meant to Canada, to Canadians, and to me.
Because no one mastered words like Rex. This will, no doubt, fall short of whatever he would have said and done had the tables been turned — if he’d had been so inclined.
The thing is, Rex was accomplished beyond what most people may realize. He was a Rhodes Scholar, a virtuoso pianist, anything he lay his mind to — as stubborn and contrary as that mind sometimes was — he did with aplomb. I like to think “aplomb” is a word Rex would have used.
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Don't have an account? Create Account
Someone once described him as a walking thesaurus. He was. He knew words you’d never heard or seen before — whether he was railing against the politicians of the day or telling you a joke, every word, every phrase was carefully selected for maximum impact against his targets, both big and small. There isn’t a prominent politician that hasn’t felt his praise or his wrath — often in the same breath. From Joey Smallwood to Justin Trudeau, Rex had a word for them all.
But what he really liked to use his expansive vocabulary for, was to tell stories about Canada through commentaries and documentaries, as he did on the CBC for decades. His commentaries, whether in his Point of Views on The National or his unscripted near rants on Cross Country Checkup were unmatched. His vision of the country clashed with that of many others — it was to some insightful, to others hurtful. Both feelings, Rex would have thought valid. In his final years, it was here in the National Post that he tore into his subjects with a passion that to some went too far. But, he was Rex Murphy, and there were things he wanted to say and there were people ready to listen.
This newsletter tackles hot topics with boldness, verve and wit. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Platformed will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
But even as he made his name sharing his opinion, he was always searching for a knowledge and understanding of this country he cared deeply about. His passion was never as clear as when he was discussing his home province. He brought his beloved Newfoundland into the living rooms of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. He visited all corners of the country. I’ve spent a lot of time in airports, and I’m frequently recognized to this day, but if I was travelling alongside Rex? No one glanced my way when he was around. He was always gracious, if not shy, private but friendly. I’d watch him with his fans and couldn’t help being one myself.
But Rex Murphy was my friend, first and foremost. He had many followers and acquaintances, but friendship was something you earned with Rex. He didn’t suffer fools, didn’t like braggarts and bullshitters. And you’d know when you’d pissed him off with that signature stare down. For someone who knew all the words, he sure favoured a few we can’t publish in this paper and certainly couldn’t air on television.
We’d spend many a late Thursday night discussing politics, international affairs, music, culture and food. He outsmarted, outwitted and outworded me every time. For many years he’d bring supper for not only him and me but our producers — always Chinese food from his favourite restaurant where they not only knew him by name but he knew all their names, and their kid’s names too. We ate fried shrimp rolls, steamed rice and lemon chicken every week for close to a decade.
Now, Rex never minced words but that’s because he knew so many of them — but every word was carefully chosen. I would watch him and his producer argue points. He was fierce in his convictions but, perhaps some of you may find this surprising, he was always open to suggestions and changes in his scripts — he liked being challenged and conceded graciously when he knew he was beat. And while we didn’t always agree I saw him treat every person he worked with and encountered with respect. That goes a long way in this world.
The world is less cranky, less verbose and much less charming today.
Rest easy Rex.
Peter Mansbridge is a former longtime anchor of CBC’s The National, and is currently the host of the podcast, The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
SpellTower is a word game of opportunity creation
So you can enjoy the outdoors safely
ALDO, Home Hardware and Sundays, to name a few
Baby-doll pink and rosy cheeks are going strong this spring/summer. Here's how to get the look.
Stream the heavyweight boxing championship on May 18, 2024
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Belen Fernandez
Tarik Cyril Amar
Rami G Khouri
Dr Ramzy Baroud
Mort Laitner
visit website
