Canada has lost one of its best-loved country singers, as Stompin' Tom Connors has passed away at the age of 77.
According to an obituary on his website, he died of "natural causes" at his home in Ontario. His family shared the following message, which the singer had penned for his fans in the event of his death:
Hello friends, I want all my fans, past, present, or future, to know that without you, there would have not been any Stompin' Tom.
It was a long hard bumpy road, but this great country kept me inspired with it's beauty, character, and spirit, driving me to keep marching on and devoted to sing about its people and places that make Canada the greatest country in the world.
I must now pass the torch, to all of you, to help keep the Maple Leaf flying high, and be the Patriot Canada needs now and in the future.
I humbly thank you all, one last time, for allowing me in your homes, I hope I continue to bring a little bit of cheer into your lives from the work I have done.
Sincerely,
Your Friend always,
Stompin' Tom Connors
Connors was born in Saint John, NB. He was a renowned patriot, writing many songs about Canadian history and culture, including the NHL favourite "The Hockey Song." He was a Juno Award winner who was named an Officer of the Order of Canada, got his own postage stamp, received the Queen's Gold and Diamond Jubilee Medals, and was given the Governor General's Performing Arts Award. According to his website, he recorded 61 albums, 10 of which remain unreleased.
He is survived by his wife Lena, two sons, two daughters, and several grandchildren. A public memorial will be held on March 13 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre in Peterborough, ON, at 7 p.m. local time. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that any donations be made to your local food bank or homeless shelter.
According to an obituary on his website, he died of "natural causes" at his home in Ontario. His family shared the following message, which the singer had penned for his fans in the event of his death:
Hello friends, I want all my fans, past, present, or future, to know that without you, there would have not been any Stompin' Tom.
It was a long hard bumpy road, but this great country kept me inspired with it's beauty, character, and spirit, driving me to keep marching on and devoted to sing about its people and places that make Canada the greatest country in the world.
I must now pass the torch, to all of you, to help keep the Maple Leaf flying high, and be the Patriot Canada needs now and in the future.
I humbly thank you all, one last time, for allowing me in your homes, I hope I continue to bring a little bit of cheer into your lives from the work I have done.
Sincerely,
Your Friend always,
Stompin' Tom Connors
Connors was born in Saint John, NB. He was a renowned patriot, writing many songs about Canadian history and culture, including the NHL favourite "The Hockey Song." He was a Juno Award winner who was named an Officer of the Order of Canada, got his own postage stamp, received the Queen's Gold and Diamond Jubilee Medals, and was given the Governor General's Performing Arts Award. According to his website, he recorded 61 albums, 10 of which remain unreleased.
He is survived by his wife Lena, two sons, two daughters, and several grandchildren. A public memorial will be held on March 13 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre in Peterborough, ON, at 7 p.m. local time. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that any donations be made to your local food bank or homeless shelter.