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Thank You
I would like to take this opportunity
to thank you all so very much for your thoughts and
kind words. It is overwhelming.
It is hard to believe it has been a month since Danny’s
passing. This has been a painful and difficult time
for me and Danny’s sisters, but your support
and encouragement has helped. The stories told and
the times shared will keep Danny alive in our hearts.
Again, thank you so much for writing, for sharing
and for remembering.
Hortense Hodge-Zeidler
We would like to thank all those
who have shared their memories about Danny with us
as we have found them all to be heartwarming and of
great comfort throughout this trying time.
For those of you who were able to
travel to Winnipeg to honor and bid a final farewell
to Danny, we offer a special debt of gratitude as we
understand the expense of travelling and that it is
not always easy to leave your families on such short
notice.
Danny would have loved the
party; to be surrounded by so much love probably
would have surprised him, as he was very humble. We
have yet to be able to come to terms with the fact
that our brother is no longer with us.
We would especially like to thank Danny Oldfield and
Bruce Meachum for taking such good care of us all,
and especially Hortense. Bruce and Danny O. were her
special protectors. We would also like to extend our
thanks to our Vancouver angels, Joe Stott and Shane
Lunny, for bringing so many of Danny’s friends
together in Vancouver for a special day in his honour.
Every day we smile, shed a tear and think of how very
special he was and how much we miss him.
Our sincerest thanks to all.
Sue and Hedy
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Remerciements
Je désire saisir cette occasion
pour vous remercier tous et toutes du fond du cœur,
pour toutes vos pensées et vos expressions de
sympathie. Ce fut incroyable.
Il est difficile de croire
que déjà un
mois s’est écoulé depuis la disparition
de Danny. Ce fut pour moi et pour les sœurs
de Danny une période très difficile,
mais vos appuis et vos encouragements m’ont
beaucoup aidé. Les récits que nous avons
entendus et les moments partagés avec Danny
resteront à jamais gravés dans nos cœurs.
Encore une fois, merci beaucoup
de vos écrits,
de votre partage et de vos souvenirs.
Hortense Hodge-Zeidler
Nous désirons remercier tous
ceux et toutes celles qui ont partagé avec
nous leurs souvenirs su sujet de Danny; nous les avons
tous trouvés chaleureux et réconfortants
pendant cette période difficile.
Envers toutes les personnes qui ont été en
mesure d’aller à Winnipeg pour rendre
hommage et dire au revoir à Danny, nous avons
une dette de gratitude spéciale, car nous réalisons
l’importance du coût des déplacements
et le sacrifice de quitter sa famille à si brève échéance.
Danny aurait adoré la fête; être
entouré de tellement d’amour l’aurait
probablement surpris, car il était très
humble. Il nous reste encore à réaliser
que notre frère n’est plus parmi nous.
Nous désirons spécialement remercier
Danny Oldfied et Bruce Meachum d’avoir si bien
pris soin de nous, et spécialement de Hortense.
Bruce et Danny O. ont été ses protecteurs
spéciaux. Nous désirons également
remercier nos anges de Vancouver, Joe Stott et Shane
Lunny, d’avoir emmené avec eux un si grand
nombre d’amis de Danny à l’occasion
de cette journée en son honneur.
Chaque jour nous sourions et laissons perler une larme
en songeant à quel point il était spécial.
Nos plus sincères remerciements à tout
et à toutes.
Sue et Hedy
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| Patsy Pehleman Executive Producer
CBC News: Sunday |
Between the two times in my
life (the Fifties and now) when the word "cool" meant
something, there was Danny. He is cool forever. The first time
I met him was in November of 1973. The famous Doug Ward and a bunch
of about 20 people, a mixture of locals and CBC news trained
people were establishing the first CBC outlet between Toronto and
Winnipeg. It was a heady time in Thunder Bay and the rest of Northwestern
Ontario. The audience was ready. They loved us and what we were
about to do. Anything was possible.
Danny was one of those already trained in Toronto. And when he
first bounded up the stairs of the wonderful old house that was
home to CBQ, for some reason it was me who opened the door. He
was spidery in his height and build, wearing a black suit, not the
black suit you'd wear for the first day at a new job, but a suit
that I remember as corduroy and that our colleague of the time,
Margie Taylor, remembers as velvet. Knowing Danny, she's right.
His shoulder-length hair was bouncing. He was wearing John Lennon
glasses. And I think, but can't be sure, that he had an umbrella.
Oh, and he definitely had a Fu Manchu moustache. Right away we
knew our team was enriched — if only in flamboyance which we prized.
The first year he was in Thunder Bay he made a news story out
of a number of us who gathered at my tiny apartment to watch the
Oscars. "Somewhere upstairs in a darkened room, a specially
trained group of people gathered, their eyes glittering with a
bluish reflection ... etc. etc." He no doubt wrote better
copy than that, but you get the drift. I was gobsmacked that someone
would take the sanctity of CBC so lightly. He didn't, but he could.
He was a good friend. I grew to know his sister Hedy and, his hero
and mentor, her husband Jack Kusch. I was welcome in their home.
It's been years since I saw him. The last time for dinner at Le
Select Bistro in Toronto when he had an absolutely fabulous piece
of gossip about somebody in the old CBQ crowd which he couldn't
wait to tell me. Since then and despite the distance between us
it was good to know Danny was in the world.
The news of his passing is still — 24 hours since I heard
it — incomprehensible. To me, he'll always be that dapper young
guy on the doorstep. |
| Ray Rudersdorfer President, CWA|SCA
Canada Local 30403 (Vancouver) |
A union rep — it
takes one to know one and to
understand, honour and respect one. Dan Zeidler was one of
those rare breeds that make "being your brother's keeper" a
calling.
I met Dan in Vancouver many years ago when I was
working as an ITU representative. It was Chuck Dale who
introduced us. I told Chuck that any friend of his was a
friend of mine.
Dan Zeidler was a straight shooter, always
willing to lend a hand. He was a wordsmith. That was his
strong suit. He also was a great observer and listener.
All those traits made him an asset as a union
representative.
Dan: You left us too early, you will be
missed. May the Power of the Universe take full advantage of
your arrival. May you be at Peace; and may all those who
love and miss you on this planet be assured by the
knowledge that you did your job well.
|
| Jim Cole President, Saint John Typographical Union |
Having Dan as a friend and partner in union affairs
will be greatly missed.
Any time I had a problem, whether it was union-related or otherwise,
he was always there to listen and offer sound advice.
Dan could light a room with his smile. He always took time for
everyone. When he spoke to you he made you feel special. He was
a great listener and a true friend, someone I looked up to.
The union movement has lost a great person. I have lost a good
friend. He will never be forgotten. |
| David Wilson |
I first met Dan Zeidler in the fall of 1990. We
were in the final stages of negotiating our first collective agreement
with the Comox District Free Press. We became friends from that point
on. All of us at the Free Press enjoyed having Danny around, always
quick with a joke and a laugh.
He was assigned to help us again when
things went sour the very next round of negotiations. While on strike
we employed the "dirty tricks squad." We would plan ways
of disrupting the employer's operations over a drink or two.
I will never forget the things we did together and the fun we had
doing it.
After the strike I became his colleague, a staffer just
like him for TNG Canada and enjoyed a different perspective and appreciation
by working with him. We organized and negotiated together while at
the same time ensuring the seriousness of events didn't overshadow
the fact that we enjoyed each other's company and just had plain
fun.
"Let's
get the job done but have fun doing it." I liked that in Danny.
You are missed by so many. |
| Anne Kyle Former
president, Saskatchewan Media Guild, Local 30199 |
Dan was the anchor that kept our small local
together during our organizing drive, certification and first contract
negotiations at the Regina Leader-Post.
He provided humour during those tense times at the Labour Relations
Board, common sense at the bargaining table and he saw the humanity
in everyone. At times when we were prepared to lynch one of our colleagues
who was mounting a decertification drive, Dan always saw both sides
of the issue and would be able to put everything into perspective.
On those days when I fielded calls from colleagues in tears and was
at my wit's end, Dan would provide sage advice that would get me
through the day.
He was truly a friend and a champion of the little guy or gal and
will be missed.
My deepest condolences to Hortense, who I had the pleasure of meeting
at a Guild social event at the spring representative meeting in Vancouver
some years ago. |
| Scott Edmonds VP
Canadian Media
Guild; VP Canada West TNG/CWA |
Dan we miss you.
You were a gentle guy who cared deeply about what you did and the
people you served.
You were a good friend, who knew what loyalty meant.
You were quick to laugh at any bad cards life dealt your way.
There was much you didn't get a chance to do and we who knew and
cared about you regret that.
But knowing you, you would have shrugged and said, "Oh well, what
the heck."
If only we could do the same. |
| Hannah Jo Rayl |
| Danny, a treasure forever. |
| Drew Plaxton Lawyer, Saskatoon |
I first met Dan when the Guild was undertaking
an organizing drive at the Regina Leader-Post and the Saskatoon StarPhoenix
in 1997. I had the privilege of representing the Guild before
the Labour Board and the Courts. As I am sure Anne Kyle and
other members of the central committee will attest to, the trials
and tribulations endured by the Local were many-fold. From
the outside looking in, it was readily apparent Dan was both the
anchor and the rudder to what was a small ship in rough seas.
During that period and after, I had the pleasure of enjoying Dan's
friendship, sometimes involving a drink or two, but I am sure never
too many. I also had the pleasure of meeting Hortense, to whom
I can only extend my deepest condolences.
Not only the trade union movement but also all who were touched by
Dan's spirit have suffered a great loss with his passing. Seldom
is this globe graced by such a kind, witty, insightful and dedicated
soul.
He will be sadly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
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| Harry McCormick |
Dear Hortense and Family,
I was deeply saddened to learn of Danny's untimely passing. My last
assignment as an International Representative with the Guild was
working with Danny in Toronto. I'll always remember him as a
strong advocate of democracy in the workplace and a committed champion
of Guild members' rights. One of my roles on the Guild
staff was as president of the staff union. I could always count
on Danny for strong support within our union.
One could say Dan had it all: a beautiful wife, tall good looks,
and a great personality. Our resident musical troubadour, he
travelled with his guitar and possessed a pleasant folk singer's
voice. We whiled away many off-hours with mini song
fests. I know that he, charmer that he was, will be greatly
missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. |
| Gerry Whelan Staff Representative, Canadian Media Guild, Halifax |
There are very few words to describe my feelings
about the passing of a
Great Person like Dan. I have known him both on the job and as a
friend.
To his family: Time will help to heal these troubled times.
I will never forget his endless wisdom, his sharp mind and his commitment
to
his fellow human beings. |
| Don Buchko President,
Print-Media Union of Saskatchewan, Local 30663 |
I was deeply saddened when I learned of Dan's
passing. What struck me most
about him was though we are a very small local, that didn't matter
to Dan.
His leadership and guidance, wit and commitment to our cause never
wavered.
In our local's struggle for survival and then negotiating our first
contract
after the company came out of creditor protection, Dan was there
leading us,
willing to listen to my concerns for my sisters and brothers and
give me
encouragement to push on. His thoughful wisdom influenced larger
locals in
our shop to protect all our part-time and casual members from employer
rollbacks. It is this kind of compassion that I will remember. Thanks
Dan,
for sticking up for the little guy. |
| Silvia Cavaco Canadian Media Guild |
| I began work at the Canadian Wire Service
Guild (now CMG) in 1991. My first memory there includes "Binky."
Between Bif (Dan Oldfield) and Binky, I was convinced to stay and
work as the office manager. Together with Jerry MacDonald, the
four of us became a family. I will never forget Dan's kindness,
support, incredible sense of humour and of course our fun lunches
and many renditions of "Roberta, Roberta, what have you done?" My
heart goes out to his family and Hortense. Dan touched many
lives with his kindness and incredible spirit. One of the truly good
guys of this world is gone. |
| Dan D. Seguin President, North Bay Newspaper Guild |
Be at peace my friend.
Like we have so often done year after year,
I raise a glass of wine and smile a cheer
And rejoice in all the wonderful memories.
You shall always be remembered my friend.
SALUT!!! |
| Lou Mleczko President, Newspaper Guild of Detroit |
| The untimely death of Dan Zeidler is a blow for
all of us who had the privilege to work with him over the years
on a multitude of union assignments. In Detroit, Dan was one of several
TNG representatives assigned to our strike at the Detroit News and
Free Press. He was beloved by our strikers for his tenacity, dedication
and gentle spirit. We viewed him as one of us. I shall miss him greatly.
|
| Susan Mcnamee CBC Vancouver |
I met Danny 27 years ago, when I walked into
the CBC Vancouver radio newsroom. His warm welcome that day turned
into a lasting friendship.
He was a gentle soul who loved to, in his words, "spin a good
yarn." He never looked down on people and always fought for
fairness.
He loved life, and savoured the moment whether travelling with his
beautiful Hortense, working in the garden or cooking up a storm
in the kitchen.
His Vancouver colleagues and buddies will always remember him. We
were lucky to know him! |
| Chris Carolan Friend |
Dan was a true gentleman who spoke softly, rarely
displayed anger, and was an excellent listener. He didn’t
believe in “lip service.” When he asked you how
your family was doing, or did you enjoy your vacation, he actually
listened to your answers and when he said it was great to see you,
he actually meant it. There was nothing artificial about this
gentleman. If there was a choice between confrontation and
conciliation, we all know the difficult, but respected choice Dan
would make.
He was also so proud of Hortense. When he
was in Victoria for a lengthy period, we shared many special times,
and a day never passed without Dan mentioning Hortense.
Dan
enjoyed his red wine, a good meal and reminiscing about his many
trips to Europe, but making new friends on a daily basis, I think
was probably his main goal in life. Dan was that one fellow
who you might have met for only five minutes and never saw him again,
and you’d say to yourself “Wow, why aren’t there
more people like him?” Dan didn’t choose his friends
by their job title or their wealth, and he never put himself above
anyone else, that is until today, he is above us all, whether he
likes it or not!
As the song says: “Only the good die
young.” Dan, you were so good and you were too young
to leave us. |
| Aubrey E. Golden LLM.Q.C. |
Dan was a rare man liked and appreciated by
everyone for his good grace,
great sense of humour and common sense on the job.
We met many times, and, in particular, I loved our times in Winnepeg
after
Dan moved there and married Hortense. She is an amazing woman and
was the
love of Dan's life. It showed. Many a restaurant closed around us
after an
evening of laughter and great joy.
And no one was better at making
the
decisions which have to be made during a case and then not worrying
about
it.
He was straight, sardonic, lovable, joking and serious, all at
once. And
through the tough and growing times for the union, Dan was the guy
who made
it seem easy.
We will miss him. A hug for Hortense. |
| Aidan White General Secretary, International Federation of Journalists |
| Dan was not just a friend to Canadian journalists
and unionists, he was a friend to journalists the world over. He
was a great supporter of the need for global co-operation and
was a strong advocate of internationalism in the labour movement. I
was pleased to meet with him again at the recent TNG-CWA conference
in Toronto and I have great memories of his commitment to our activities over
the years. He brought a genuine sense of union solidarity, loyalty
and, above all, humanity to our work. On behalf of the International
Federation of Journalists and its members all around the world, I
want to register our sympathy and feelings of loss at his
passing. |
| Sharon Germain (Lloyd) |
I am saddened to hear of Dan’s early departure
from our lives.
He has left an indelible mark on my life; I will always have
fond memories of his laugh, his wit, and of course, his crooked smile.
As others have said, Dan was always generous with his time and experience,
and for that I am grateful. Over the years I saw Dan organize a strike
newspaper in Courtenay BC; co-ordinate an organizing drive in Saskatchewan;
and walk a picket line during the strike in Victoria at the
Times-Colonist (as well as helping resolve the dispute). His unwavering
support and dedication was something I valued.
He will be missed.
My deepest sympathy to his family and co-workers. |
| Percy Hatfield |
Danny and I became friends through Dan Oldfield,
when Dan was President of the Canadian Wire Service Guild and I was
the National Secretary. Those two guys made volunteer work
with the union an absolute delight. Spending time away from my young
family was easier when the trip included spending quality time with "the
two Dans." They worked hard and contributed immensely, and when
the work day was over, they became the social directors, leading
us in humour and song, strengthening our friendships and our commitment
to "The Guild."
Many of us got involved or stayed
involved with the Guild because of Dan. Dan Zeidler knew when to
jump into something and when to back away. He knew who needed cheering
up and who was in need of a boost to their self-confidence.
He also
knew when someone may have said some things that shouldn't have been
said the way they were, and he knew how to make things right
again without ruffling feathers.
I'll never forget his smile, his
friendship, his laugh — and the way his eyes would light up when
he was talking about Hortense. Dan was a good guy to share a drink
with and a good man to have around both in good and troubled times.
He was one of those rare individuals whom you may not have seen for
a year or two but you would pick up a conversation and be laughing
at each other's stories as though you had been together just the
day before. We're all the lesser off with his untimely passing. |
| Don Young Winnipeg |
I worked with Dan in the CBC
Edmonton newsroom in the '70s.
He was open and friendly, smart and hardworking with a killer
smile and
a funny, funny sense of the ridiculous.
Given the sad circumstances I can now tell a TRUE Zeidler story:
In Edmonton we had an "open newsroom" type set. Anchor
in the
foreground ... hardworking reporter types in the background.
One day René Lévesque came calling, so we decided to
do a live debrief
on the set. About 4 p.m. Dan slipped away to a costume store and
bought a
Pierre Trudeau rubber mask. While the anchor and René did their
thing, Zeidler/Trudeau sat in clear view just over René's shoulder,
typing away like a madman.
To add further hilarity to the moment, the studio director
Jerry Olsen
jumped on the talkback and said: "Who's that guy back
there? He looks
familiar."
I'll miss you Danny. You were a good journalist and a better
man. |
| Keeble McFarlane Toronto |
I first met Dan Zeidler in 1970 when I joined
CBC National Radio News. At the time, he was what they called a copy
clerk, whose main job was to rip copy off the teleprinters and
distribute it to the editors. Within a short while he had joined
the radio staff as an editor/reporter and was one of the group which
opened the CBC radio outlet in Thunder Bay.
From there it was on to Edmonton and finally, Vancouver.
Dan was always a union man and, as the years rolled by, he became
more active, as I did. We both served on the executive of the Guild
local at the CBC in a variety of capacities, including on a couple
of bargaining committees. Even though he lived in Vancouver, I saw
him often as he had to come to Toronto for meetings. He was serious
about the things we had to do for our colleagues, but when play time
came around he played as hard as the rest of us did. It was always
a pleasure to be in the company of this calm and level-headed person
who had the gift of a positive outlook on life. I shall miss his
generosity, hearty laugh, patience and outgoing, friendly disposition.
Some years back, while concluding some union business in Toronto,
I mentioned that I was thinking of going to Vancouver for a holiday
that summer. He solicited the dates I had planned to go and, when
he discovered that he would be away for that time, offered his apartment
for me and my wife (who is also named Hortense). That made the vacation
so much better than it otherwise would have been.
Dan was very proud of his Czech heritage, and would seek out restaurants
where he could find that style of cuisine. I recall a Caribbean restaurant
close to the old CBC building in Toronto which became one of Dan's
favourite spots because, as he claimed, the ox tail stew tasted just
like home cooking!
Farewell Dan — as they say in Yiddish, you were a real Mensch. |
| Joan Athey Peaceworks Now Productions, Victoria BC |
I am so sad. I was his co-worker
in Communications at CBC Radio when he was in News. To
Hortense, my deepest sympathy.
How I remember the many smoky
early evenings and often later nights at the Media Club when
it was packed with refugees from news and the music department
and fledgling web warriors. Oh the laughs and razor sharp commentary from
you, Dan. And your sweet soft affinity for banishing melancholy
with good conversation. Thank you so much for all of that. |
| Paul Griffin Former CBC journalist |
| I was shocked and saddened to hear of Dan’s
sudden death. I worked with Dan for several years while he was a
reporter for CBC news in Vancouver and I don’t think I have
ever known a more dedicated reporter. He was always determined to
dig inside a story to come up with a new perspective and he enthusiastically
pursued the unusual or untold story. But Dan was also a dear friend
to everyone in the Vancouver newsroom. His lively sense of humour
and engaging personality always made him a joy to be with. I will
always fondly remember him as one of my closest friends. |
| Linda Foley President, The Newspaper Guild-CWA |
| Danny could make you laugh and bring tears to
your eyes in the same conversation. He was gentle, thoughtful,
artistic and genuine. And he was funny, very funny. Those
who knew him can't think about him without smiling, even during this
past week as the suddenness and emptiness of his untimely death
still hung in the air. Danny was a great union rep. because he was
a great person. The Guild will miss him — I miss him. But
his kind spirit and zest for life will continue to inspire all of
us to imitate his nature. We all smile more because we had
the privilege of knowing Danny Zeidler. |
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