http://m.torontosun.com/2016/08/19/tragically-hips-gord-downie-saved-my-cat-former-neighbour
I saw this on another forum and I'm glad I didn't know who the writer is. I don't understand why he makes such a fool of himself sucking up to the Fords when he's capable of writing good articles.
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To many Canadians, the Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie is a musical super hero.
For Barry Godin, it’s not just because of the incredible performances.
Some talk about how Downie helped rescue their youth through his patriotic poetry. Barry also talks of how Downie rescued his cat.
“It’s just the kind of guy he is.”
They got to know each other late in the last century when they were neighbours for two years in Riverdale. Barry found Gord to be smart, friendly and generous.
Also brave.
One time Barry’s cat, Babe, was scared up a tree and would not come down. What to do? Phone the fire department?
No need. Over comes Super Gord.
“He insisted on climbing up the tree while I held the ladder,” says Barry with a chuckle. “Gord gently got a hold of her and brought her down.”
There’s no Juno for that. Just a handshake from a grateful neighbour.
“He’s a down to earth, genuine person,” says Barry.
Barry’s not surprised about the outpouring of love for Downie as Canada prepares for Saturday’s potential swan song concert in Kingston given the inoperable brain tumour the legendary singer has been diagnosed with.
The reaction, says Barry, is because Downie is so real.
“He’s brilliant but bigger is his humanity,” he adds. “I saw the way people reacted to me when Gord took me to one of his shows. It was quite an experience.”
Barry, also a friend of mine, is an understated researcher and writer — not star struck or attention seeking. I am not surprised he and Gord hit it off.
“We used to run together and talk about the different books we liked to read,” recalls Barry. “He is a good listener, too.”
An example was when Gord overheard Barry was turning 50.
“On the day of my birthday, I went into the backyard to get on my bike when I noticed something,” he says. “There was a gift-wrapped package from Gord. It was the latest book, Cities of the Plain, by Cormac MacCarthy, an author we both read.”
With it was a signed note: “Go for a run later? Gord.”
Smiling, Barry says he “always liked Gord’s music” but found he became more of a fan because Gord was the perfect Canadian neighbour.
“One time I was playing hockey and we needed a goalie to fill in so I asked Gord,” says Barry.
All he told his teammates was he had a fill-in goalie. “The looks on he players faces when he walked into the dressing room was priceless,” recalls Barry. “And he was good.”
After the game, one of the players started to say: “I really like your ...”
But before he could finish, Gord teased: “the way I played goal.”
The room filled with laughter.
I have seen Gord’s big heart up close, too. I remember being at the Salt Lake City Olympics and not only seeing Gord and the Hip put on an incredible show on the night before the gold medal hockey game, but how Gord made sure his now late dad, Edgar, got into see Canada win its first hockey gold medal in 50 years.
It’s not hard to see why Gord became an excellent father himself. He was a good son.
Barry hasn’t seen or talked with his old running pal in a decade as they both moved away from the neighbourhood. But he’s hoping for the best after hearing the health news. He’s concerned like everyone else, but remains hopeful because “Gord is so strong.”
Gord has courage.
“The success of the tour does not surprise me. Nor will it if there are more down the road,” says Barry.
Barry — like the rest of the country — will be watching on the CBC Saturday night, enjoying the talents of a great Canadian band and front man who not only spoke for a generation but also once was the super hero who saved his cat.
Have an amazingly Hip weekend. Scrawler out.
