A list of some Canadian newsmakers who died in 2017:
JANUARY
1 – Yvon Dupuis, 90, Quebec Liberal MNA and MP.
1 – Stuart Hamilton, 87, opera coach and CBC radio host, of prostate cancer.
1 – Lorne Loomer, 79, Olympic rowing gold medallist (1956), of esophageal cancer.
1 – Bill Marshall, 77, who founded the Toronto International Film Festival in 1976 with two colleagues and was the organization’s director for its first three years.
2 – Tom Harpur, 87, theologian, priest, and journalist.
3 – Peter Pollen, 89, former mayor of Victoria (1971-1975, 1981-1985).
4 – Hockey Hall-of-Famer Milt Schmidt, 98, the Boston Bruins former captain, coach and general manager.
7 – Alice Whitty, 82, Olympic high jumper.
7 – Laurel Woodcock, 56, conceptual artist and academic.
9 – Ty Pozzobon, 25, the B.C.-based national bull riding champion, committed suicide after dealing with the effects of numerous concussions and battling depression.
10 – Kenny Wharram, 83, Chicago Blackhawks player who centred “The Scooter Line.”
10 – Tony Rosato, 62, a veteran of sketch-comedy shows “Saturday Night Live” and “SCTV.”
11 – Arthur Manuel, 66, former B.C. chief of the Neskonlith Indian Band, well known for his indigenous rights and environmental activism.
17 – Malcolm Peat, 84, a prominent Scottish-born physiotherapist.
18 – Andre Leveille, 83, Union Nationale MNA and former interim leader.
18 – Johnny Little, 86, Calgary-born Scottish footballer (Rangers, Morton, Scotland national team).
19 – Ralph F. Fiske, 85, Nova Scotia Liberal MLA (1970-1974).
19 – Joyce Murland, 79, wheelchair athlete and paralympic silver medallist (1972, 1976).
20 – Joy Coghill, 90, actress, director and playwright. She was the first woman to serve as artistic director at the Vancouver Playhouse.
23 – Ted Haggis, 92, Olympic sprinter and father of filmmaker Paul Haggis.
25 – Marcel Prud’homme, 82, Quebec MP (1964-1993) and Senator (1993-2009).
26 – Raynald Guay, 83, Quebec politician and Liberal MP (1963-1980).
27 – Betty Stanhope-Cole, 79, Canadian Golf Hall-of-Famer, of cancer.
28 – Thomas Joseph Simpson, 95, Second World War veteran and Canada’s last surviving Distinguished Service Medal recipient.
31 – Rob Stewart, 37, filmmaker and conservationist, drowned while diving off the coast of Florida filming a follow-up to his 2006 documentary Sharkwater.
FEBRUARY
3 – Roy Heenan, 81, founder of Heenan Blaikie, one Canada’s most prestigious and well-connected law firms.
3 – Bob Stewart, 66, NHL defenceman who played nine seasons with cellar-dwelling teams and holds the record for the lowest career plus-minus rating of -260.
4 – Steve Lang, 67, former bassist for April Wine from 1975 to 1984. He played on the band’s biggest American hit, “Just Between You and Me” in 1981.
6 – Bill Britton, 82, former Calgary Stampeder player and team president.
6 – David Culver, 92, businessman and former Alcan CEO (1979-89).
6 – Raymond Clare Edwards, 96, Hamilton (Ont.) Liberal MPP (1959-63) and founding member of Bethel Gospel Tabernacle.
6 – Norah McClintock, 59, award-winning author of young adult mysteries, of ovarian cancer.
7 – Richard B. Wright, 79, award-winning author best known for his 2001 novel “Clara Callan,” after suffering a stroke earlier in the month.
9 – Donald Leslie Brothers, 93, B.C. Social Credit Party MLA and cabinet minister (1958–1972).
11 – Howard Leeds, 97, Canadian-born television producer and writer (The Facts of Life, The Brady Bunch, Silver Spoons, Diff’rent Strokes).
12 – Nancy Diamond, 75, mayor of Oshawa, Ont. (1991–2003).
15 – Stuart McLean, 68, a bestselling author, journalist and humorist and host of the popular CBC Radio program “The Vinyl Cafe,” of melanoma.
17 – Russ Prior, 67, weightlifter and gold medallist Commonwealth Games (1970, ’74, ’78) and Pan Am Games (1975), and 1976 Olympic bronze medallist (snatch).
18 – Ivan “The Russian Bear” Koloff, 74, pro wrestler, of liver cancer.
19 – Bob White, 81, labour leader who was instrumental in creating the Canadian Auto Workers union, which broke away from its American parent in the mid-1980s.
22 – Gordon Currie, 93, Saskatchewan MLA and cabinet minister (1982–1986), inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 1978, given the Order of Canada a year later and was enshrined in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
22 – Johnny McCormack, 91, Stanley Cup-winning centre (Toronto Maple Leafs (1951), Montreal Canadiens(1953)).
23 – Don Cousens, 78, Ontario PC MPP (1981–1994) and mayor of Markham, Ont. (1994-2006).
28 – James McGrath, 85, Newfoundland PC MP (1957-1963, 1968-1986) and Lt.-Gov of Newfoundland and Labrador (1986–1991).
28 – William Wightman, 87, Toronto-area PC MP (1979-80).
MARCH
3 – Aquinas Ryan, 84, leader of the P.E.I. NDP (1972-79).
4 – Bonnie Burnard, 72, novelist whose debut novel “A Good House” was a national bestseller and winner of the 1999 Giller Prize.
4 – Edna Rose Ritchings, 92, a.k.a. Mother Divine, of the International Peace Mission movement.
7 – Gina Calleja, 88, British-born author and illustrator of children’s books, from complications due to lymphoma.
8 – Margaret Mitchell, 92, a former New Democrat MP (Vancouver East 1979-93) who became a leading voice in raising awareness about domestic abuse.
10 – Richard Wagamese, 61, acclaimed Ojibway author and journalist, whose work reflected on the legacy of the residential school system.
12 – Harvey Smith, 80, Winnipeg city councillor (1980-86, 1998-2014), NDP MLA (1986-88).
13 – Vincent Foy, 101, Roman Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Toronto for 78 years.
13 – Ed Whitlock, 86, decorated marathon runner, of prostate cancer.
14 – Arleene Johnson, 93, baseball player nicknamed Iron Lady, of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
15 – Laurent Laplante, 83, Quebec journalist, of pancreatic cancer.
17 – Leonard Legault, 82, diplomat (1961-73) and Ambassador to the Holy See (1993-97).
19 – Len Mitzel, 71, PC MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat (2004-2012).
20 – Terence Finlay, 79, Anglican Archbishop of Toronto (2000-2004), of cancer.
20 – Betty Kennedy, 91, veteran Canadian journalist and broadcaster.
21 – Guy Bisaillon, 77, former PQ member (1976-83) and trade unionist.
21 – Bill Rompkey, 80, Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal MP (1972-95) and senator (1995-2011).
23 – Denis McGrath, 48, award-winning television writer and producer, of cancer.
25 – Gary Doak, 71, NHL defencemen, of cancer.
26 – Monty Davidson, 81, NDP MPP for Cambridge, Ont. (1975-81).
26 – Marie Jakober, 75, award-winning author.
27 – Beau Dick, 61, master carver, indigenous activist and Kwakwaka’wakw hereditary chief, from complications of a stroke.
28 – Janine Sutto, 95, Quebec actress.
APRIL
2 – Andre Drouin, 70, a former Trois-Rivieres, Que., municipal politician who co-authored a 2007 controversial code of conduct for immigrants wishing to live in his town.
6 – Gordon Carton, 95, Ontario PC MPP and cabinet minister (1963-1975).
9 – Bill Sutherland, 82, NHL player with the Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets. He scored the first goal in Flyers history in 1967.
11 – Dr. Mark Wainberg, 71, a renowned HIV/AIDS researcher, drowned while swimming in rough waters off Bal Harbour, Fla.
14 – James Smith, 97, served as Commissioner of Yukon (1966-1976).
16 – Ed Havrot, 89, Timiskaming (Ont.) PC MPP (1971-75 and 1977-85).
18 – Ron Moeser, 74, a longtime Toronto City Councillor, after a lengthy battle with lymphoma.
19 – Bohdan Zip, 88, Alberta PC MLA (1982-1986).
20 – Craufurd Goodwin, 82, economist and historian.
20 – Paul Hebert, 92, co-founder, actor and theatre director of Theatre du Trident in Quebec City.
25 – Sasha Lakovic, 45, former NHL player, of brain cancer.
27 – Peter George, 75, president of McMaster University (1995-2010).
30 – Leone Bagnall, 83, Prince Edward Island PC MLA (1979-93), the province’s first PC woman cabinet minister.
MAY
2 – Paul MacEwan, 74, Cape Breton MLA (1970-2003).
2 – Gerry Martiniuk, 79, PC MPP Cambridge (Ont.) (1995–2011).
3 – Georgie Collins, 91, actress and stage director known for her role in the 1981 cult horror film Ghostkeeper.
4 – Francois Gagnon, 95, Quebec Union Nationale MLA (1962-73).
7 – John Stroppa, 91, former CFL player (Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 1949-51) and CFL referee.
8 – John David Molson, 88, former president and owner of the Montreal Canadiens (1964-72) and prominent member of the Molson family of brewers.
9 – Ron Atkey, 75, PC MP and Minister of Employment and Immigration (1979-80).
10 – Ted Hibberd, 91, a member of the RCAF gold medal-winning Olympic hockey team in 1948.
15 – Stan Kaluznick, 85, who played for the Calgary Stampeders (1950-54) and led the team is rushing during the 1951 season.
17 – Michael Bliss, 76, acclaimed Canadian historian and author.
20 – Roger Tasse, 85, who is considered the architect of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
21 – Bill White, 77, a former Chicago Blackhawks all-star defenceman and a member of Canada’s 1972 Summit Series team.
24 – Grace McCarthy, 89, a former Social Credit cabinet minister in British Columbia who blazed a trail for women in politics and business.
24 – Rinaldo Canonico, 82, an Ottawa hair stylist whose scissors tended to the tresses of some of the country’s biggest political players.
31 – Diane Torr, 68, drag king and gender activist.
JUNE
2 – Avie Bennett, 89, chairman of publishing house McClelland & Stewart Ltd, a co-founder of Historica Canada, and former chancellor of York University.
5 – Marilyn Hall, 90, Canadian-born Emmy Award-winning writer-producer and wife of Monty Hall.
7 – Charles-Eugene Marin, 91, Quebec PC MP (1984-93).
8 – LeRoy Fjordbotten, 78, Alberta PC MLA (1979–1993), served in three different cabinet posts: agriculture, tourism and forestry.
12 – Robert Campeau, 93, former real estate mogul who once controlled the Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s department store chains in the U.S.
18 – Tim Hague, 34, heavyweight mixed martial artist (UFC, WSOF, KOTC), of a brain hemorrhage two days after a bout in Edmonton.
19 – Zoltan Sarosy, 110, Hungarian-born chess master.
22 – Gwen Barlee, 54, a defender of wild animals and advocate for enhanced endangered species legislation in British Columbia, of cancer.
22 – Herve Filion, 77, Hall of Fame harness racing driver won retired in 2012 with a then-North American record of 15,179 victories.
26 – Janet Lunn, 88, U.S.-born award-winning children’s writer (The Hollow Tree).
27 – Ric Suggitt, 58, Canadian rugby coach who guided national teams on both side of the border.
29 – Dave Semenko, 59, former NHL tough guy who served as Wayne Gretzky’s bodyguard and once went three rounds with boxing legend Muhammad Ali, of liver and pancreatic cancer.
JULY
6 – Marlon B. Wright, 51, one of Canada’s top boxing referees who officiated title bouts around the world, of skin cancer.
6 – George Hansen, 83, Calgary Stampeders Wall-of-Famer and former player (1959-66), alumni association president, assistant GM and scout.
17 – Hersh Wolch, 77, lawyer who represented some of Canada’s most prominent wrongfully convicted, including David Milgaard and Steven Truscott.
17 – Harvey Atkin, 74, actor who was a regular on hit U.S. dramas “Law & Order” and “Cagney & Lacey,” after a battle with cancer.
21 – Kenny Shields, 69, lead singer of Juno-winning rock band Streetheart.
25 – Celeste Evans, 85, B.C.-born illusionist whose trailblazing career took her around the world during an era that largely discouraged such female independence.
28 – Maurice Filion, 85, the former coach and general manager of the Quebec Nordiques in the WHA and the NHL.
AUGUST
1 – keyboard player Goldy McJohn, 72, one of the Canadian founding members of Steppenwolf, the band best known for the classic-rock staples “Born to be Wild” and “Magic Carpet Ride.”
1 – Phil Muntz, 83, aerospace engineer, physicist and CFL player for Calgary (1956) and Toronto (1957-60).
1 – U.S.-born Rick George, 67, CEO of Suncor Energy (1991-2012) and pioneer of Canada’s oilsands industry, after a battle with leukemia.
3 – former Quebec Liberal cabinet minister Jacques Daoust, 69, after suffering a stroke less than two weeks earlier.
3 – Laurent Lavigne, 81, Bloc Quebecois MP (1993-97) and Parti Quebecois MNA (1976-85).
4 – Reijo Puiras, 65, Olympic cross-country skier (1976).
6 – Jack Rabinovitch, 87, founder of the Scotiabank Giller Prize literary award, real estate developer and philanthropist.
11 – Daisy Sweeney, 97, credited with being the first teacher of Canadian jazz greats Oliver Jones and her brother Oscar Peterson.
12 – Bryan Murray, 74, former NHL coach and general manager (Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings), of colon cancer.
16 – Patrick O’Flaherty, 78, N.L. author, historian and university English professor.
17 – Parker MacDonald, 84, former NHL player (1952-69) and coach (1973, 1981).
18 – Dave Creighton, 87, former NHL player (1948-60).
21 – Quebec author and playwright Rejean Ducharme, 76, credited with influencing the province’s culture during the Quiet Revolution with his famous debut novel, “The Swallower Swallowed.”
21 – Boris Spremo, 81, Yugoslav-born award-winning photojournalist (Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail), after a short battle with cancer.
24 – Michael Dougall Bell, 73, Canada’s Ambassador to Jordan, Egypt and Israel.
26 – Leonard Levesque, 82, Parti Quebecois MNA (1976-85).
28 – Acadian singer-songwriter Denis Richard, 55, of cancer.
30 – Skip Prokop, 74, co-founder and drummer with the Canadian rock band Lighthouse.
SEPTEMBER
1 – Jerome Choquette, 89, known for his role during the 1970 October crisis, when he served as justice minister under premier Robert Bourassa.
1 – Agnes Wenjack, 89, the mother of Chanie Wenjack, the 12-year-old boy who died while trying to escape an Ontario residential school in 1966.
6 – Noel Picard, 78, NHL defenceman (1964-73). He appears in one of the most famous hockey photographs which shows Bobby Orr horizontally flying through the air after scoring a Stanley Cup-winning goal against the Blues. Orr took flight after being tripped by Picard in front of St. Louis goalie Glenn Hall.
9 – Gretta Chambers, 90, noted journalist and McGill University’s first female chancellor.
9 – Pierre Pilote, 85, Hall of Fame defenceman and three-time Norris Trophy winner who helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961.
9 – Harold Nutter, 93, former Bishop of Fredericton and Metropolitan of Canada.
12 – Allan MacEachen, 96, a long-serving Liberal MP and senator from Nova Scotia who was a driving force behind many Canadian social programs.
14 – Arnold Chan, 50, Liberal MP, of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
21 – Johnny Burke, 77,Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer.
22 – Thelma Chalifoux, 88, Metis activist and retired senator.
22 – Gerard Hache, 92, New Brunswick Liberal MLA (1967-70).
25 – David Mainse, 81, televangelist, founder and host of 100 Huntley Street.
30 – Monty Hall, 96, legendary TV game show host best known for “Let’s Make a Deal” which he co-created in 1963.
30 – Max Haines, 86, syndicated true crime columnist.
OCTOBER
3 – Norm Jamison, 67, Ontario NDP MPP (1990-95).
6 – Ray Turnbull, 78, World Curling Hall of Famer and longtime curling broadcaster.
9 – Rafe Mair, 85, former B.C. Social Credit Party cabinet minister and well-known Vancouver radio broadcaster.
10 – Trent Hills, Ont., Mayor Hector Macmillan, 59, whose high-profile push for access to a trial pancreatic cancer treatment (NanoKnife) led the province to funding a clinical trial.
12 – Derek Blackburn, 83, MP for the Ontario riding of Brant (1971-93).
15 – Cathy Elliott, 60, Indigenous playwright, actor and composer, struck and killed by a car while walking near her home in Alliston, Ont.
16 – John Dunsworth, 71, actor best known for his portrayal of Jim Lahey in the comedy series “Trailer Park Boys.”
17 – Gord Downie, 53, iconic lead singer of The Tragically Hip, of brain cancer.
18 – Gregory Baum, 94, a German-born former priest who became Canada’s pre-eminent Catholic theologian who participated in the Second Vatican Council (1962-65).
19 – Michael Pitfield, 80, a former Senator (1982-2010) and clerk of the Privy Council.
25 – Vincent Warren, 79, a dance historian, lecturer and former principal dancer of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.
26 – Juliette (Cavazzi), 91, Canadian television pioneer who headlined the wholesome CBC musical variety program “The Juliette Show.”
26 – Andre Gauthier, 82, monument sculptor and designer.
NOVEMBER
2 – David Muise, 68, Nova Scotia Liberal MLA (1978-81) and Mayor of Cape Breton Regional Municipality (1997-2000).
6 – Murray Koffler, 93, pharmacist who founded Shoppers Drug Mart in 1962.
6 – William Weintraub, 91, a prolific filmmaker involved in 150 National Film Board productions and a gifted chronicler of the city of Montreal.
7 – Pentti Glan, 71, Finnish-born drummer (Alice Cooper, Lou Reed), of lung cancer.
10 – Peter Trower, 87, English-born, B.C.-based poet and novelist.
12 – George Gosbee, 48, prominent Alberta investment banker and former Arizona Coyotes co-owner.
13 – Kevin Phillips, 63, Saskatchewan Party MLA since 2011 and former mayor of Melfort (Sask.)
16 – Tobias Enverga, 61, the first Filipino-Canadian ever appointed to the Upper Chamber.
16 – Al Neil, 93, Vancouver musician and artist.
17 – Bert Hohol, 94, Alberta PC MLA and cabinet minister (1971-79).
23 – François Aquin, 88, former Quebec MP who was the first elected member of the National Assembly to openly display sovereignist ideas.
23 – Gerald Doucet, 80, Nova Scotia PC MLA (1963-74).
24 – Gaetan Serre, 79, Ontario Liberal MP (1968-72).
25 – Robert Howie, 88, New Brunswick PC MP (1972-1988).
26 – Patrick Bourgeois, 54, Les BB lead singer, of cancer.
DECEMBER
3 – Fil Fraser, 85, human rights advocate and Canada’s first black broadcaster.
9 – Grant Munro, 94, animator and filmmaker.
12 – Zarley Zalapski, 49, former NHL defenceman (1987-2000) for Pittsburgh, Hartford, Calgary, Montreal and Philadelphia.
13 – James Perkin, 89, former president of Acadia University (1981-93).
13 – Bruce Gray, 81, stage and screen actor.
14 – John Hickey, 62, mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L.
15 – Barry Sherman, 75, founder of Apotex, and his wife Honey, 70.
15 – Bob Crowe, 62, film and TV producer.
15 – Tony Hunt Sr., 75, famed B.C. First Nation artist.
17 – Terry Cavanagh, 91, long-time Edmonton city councillor and two-time interim mayor.
18 – David Huntley, 60, three-time world field lacrosse champion.
21 – June Rowlands, 93, the first woman to serve mayor of Toronto (1991-94).
24 – Heather Menzies-Urich, 68, actress who played one of the singing von Trapp children in the hit 1965 film “The Sound of Music.”
26 – Johnny Bower, 93, two-time Vezina Trophy winner who helped the Toronto Maple Leafs win their last Stanley Cup championship in 1967.
The Canadian Press