Pierre Berton dies at 84
Canadian Press
Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004
Canadian author and broadcaster Pierre Berton, one of the country's most recognizable and beloved media personalities, has died at age 84.
Mr. Berton died Tuesday afternoon, said a spokeswoman for Sunnybrook hospital. She wouldn't divulge the cause of death but CBC reported he died of heart failure.
Mr. Berton had a long and varied career, publishing more than 40 books, working as a newspaper columnist, Maclean's magazine editor and as a broadcast personality. In every role, his trademark humour and eccentric take on the world was evident — as was his trademark bow tie, bushy white sideburns and dramatic cloaks.
As recently as October, Mr. Berton appeared on the CBC satire show, Rick Mercer's Monday Report, offering tips on how to roll a marijuana joint, recommending his book The National Dream as an excellent "rolling surface" and warning about the perils of a loose joint. He said a less-than-firmly rolled spliff could leave unsightly toke burns on one's bow tie.
Mr. Berton also told the Toronto Star that he had been a recreational marijuana-user since the 1960s, saying he'd reached a stage in his life where he didn't "give a damn" what he said or what people thought.
Mercer recalled asking Mr. Berton to appear on his show after hearing rumours that the Canadian icon liked to smoke pot.
"I just called him, and asked him if he would come on the show and teach Canada how to roll a joint. He immediately said 'Yes, come up to the house. I'd be happy to do so,"' Mr. Mercer said.
Mr. Mercer spent the day with Mr. Berton at his home in Kleinburg, Ont. The comedian called the time spent with Mr. Berton one of the "highlights" of his life.
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