Edwin O'DACRE

Ed O'Dacre was my mentor and my everything in journalism. He hired me, a total unknown fresh out of the University of Toronto's Varsity, to become the nation's dance critic. At the time, I was the youngest hire and the only female critic in his incredible arts section, working alongside maverick writers like Jay Scott, John Bentley Mays and William French. As my first editor, Ed was almost fatherly towards me, letting me know I was the same age as his daughter. He cared for me deeply,...

Awww of course finding this too late. But just needed to say that Ed was a lovely boss during my role with The Glove and Mail magazine division days. I remember him saying when I was moving to KW to start a family - "you can be put in a pasture, but you will always be a race horse" lol! Loved Ed dearly. Think of him with great affection and know he´s smiling at all of us!

I´ve just come upon this sad announcement. Please accept my sincere belated condolences. "Mr. O´Dacre" was who he was to me; one of the wisest, most accepting and engaging men I have ever known - just so effortlessly cool. Both he and Mrs. O´Dacre graciously accepted a young and naïve girl into their family and treated me as if I belonged. When the tides of their son´s young love turned, they extended kindness amidst the drama, and went on to represent a far greater loss than the attachment...

In the early 1970´s, my late husband Norman Snider, was attempting,somewhat precariously, to establish a life as a freelance writer. He did achieve that goal and the man to whom he owed so very much at the beginning was Ed O´Dacre, who sent him books to review. I think Norman earned $30.00 per review. Those dollars mattered but O´Dacre´s cool professionalism counted even more, as mentor, and disciplinarian, someone to whom 500 words meant 500 words. I know Norman only ever spoke of O´Dacre...

I knew Ed from the days of the old Globe building on King St. W. We would fight for motorcycle parking spaces but we never worked "together" until he became Publisher of the magazine division and as executive chauffeur I had to look after the maintenance of his company car. After his and my retirement I continued to visit him at his house and park my BMW bike in his driveway in front of his Ducati for old times sake. We would trade bike stories and reminisce about the old Mop and Pail. ...

My deepest sympathy go out to you Bonnie & all the family. A wonderful husband, father, brother to Terry, uncle & friend is a painful loss. May God heal your hearts with time and memories.

Gentleman. Journalist. Mentor. Ed was wonderful to work with on Broadcast Week Magazine. We enjoyed ensuring the ratio of advertising and editorial was correct for the t.v. guide magazine and working under pressure to hit the right amount of pages every week. It was my pleasure to know and work with Ed. Sincere condolences to his family.

I met Ed O'Dacre when we both worked for the Timmins Daily Press in the early 50's. Ed took me under his wing. He was so decent, intelligent and funny. I admired him greatly. I lent him a 33 RPM of Backhaus playing the Brahms B flat concerto. He returned it 60 years later...this is his music....

Ed was an outstanding editor who improved every article of mine that came into his hands. He also was truly funny. I valued every encounter I had with him.