Editor of Montreal's only newspaper for Black community, Egbert Gaye, dies at 67
Community Contact newspaper managing editor Egbert Gaye, a well-known leader in Montreal's Black community, has died after suffering a massive heart attack over the weekend.
He was 67.
The editor of the newspaper he founded 31 years ago that serves Montreal's English-speaking Black and Caribbean populations was a hands-on newspaperman who delivered the twice-a-month paper along with his son.
He was an active promoter of community journalism and dedicated to those he served.
Just four months ago, he told CTV News in an interview that the newspaper was about giving his community a voice and it was a labour of love.
"It’s the people that we meet and the stories that we tell. That’s what keeps us excited, and that’s what keeps us doing this," Gaye said in February.
Josa Maule, who runs the Montreal School of Performing Arts, said he was always there to promote excellence in the community.
"He was our voice and putting it in black and white, so to speak, and representing us as a community. He would also uplift what we were doing, what was going on. He was always there," Maule said.
Friends say Gaye was always attending fundraisers and other functions, and making time for the people.
"He wanted to see the best, not the better; he wanted to see the best for the Black community in Montreal, and for him, putting out the newspaper was a way for him to communicate and get the word out as to what was going on," said Brian Smith.
Print was just one medium. Gaye was also a regular contributor to CJAD 800 Radio, where he would often spar with host Elias Makos, and before that Tommy Schnurmacher
"When you came in the first time, the chemistry was incredible. We disagreed on absolutely everything. We wouldn’t agree that today was Monday. We would disagree on absolutely everything, but there was just the warmth. The warmth was there, and that’s not easy to do," the former radio host said Monday.
"This guy was such a kind-hearted, sweet soul."
Those words are echoed by the many journalists Gaye mentored over the years,
including CTV News Montreal anchor Maya Johnson, who started her career writing for Community Contact when she was 18.
"Egbert was so encouraging. Such a source of constant encouragement. He believed in us," she said.
"I got a text from a friend this morning, and she described him as a community father figure, and I think that is exactly it."
When asked if there was anything she wanted to share about her husband, Gaye's wife said his community was his heart and his love, and he would have done anything for the people.
- Listen on CJAD 800: CTV News anchor Maya Johnson remembers CJAD 800 contributor Egbert Gaye
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Luxury cruise line selling world cruise suite for US$1.7 million
Luxury operator Regent Seven Seas Cruises is raising their price tag to eye-watering levels, with a suite on an upcoming 140-day world voyage costing US$1.7 million.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
A Filipino villager is nailed to a cross for the 35th time on Good Friday to pray for world peace
A Filipino villager has been nailed to a wooden cross for the 35th time to reenact Jesus Christ’s suffering in a brutal Good Friday tradition he said he would devote to pray for peace in Ukraine, Gaza and the disputed South China Sea.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
King Charles will attend Easter Sunday service at Windsor
Buckingham Palace officials say King Charles III and Queen Camilla will attend an Easter service at the chapel at Windsor Castle on Sunday.