Roger Abbott of "Royal Canadian Air Farce" Dies

[drmusic]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2011/ ... 1f7edfda,0

[Howaboutthat]

One of Canada's true funny men.
Gone too soon. He will be missed.

[jon]

Roger was a CKGM DJ in the late 1960s, and was still supporting Top 40 Radio well into this century, with donations to Top 40 aircheck site reelradio.com.

I had a brief e-mail exchange with Roger on the occasion of John Morgan's death in 2004. Great guy!

[hagopian]

Met this wonderful man only once and I laughed so much, the interview was a total disaster. Toronto audiences, Vancouver, didn't matter - this guy was part of a great team of funnnny people. He shall be missed and thanks for making me laugh so much, for so many years.
My condolences to Family and to Mr. Ferguson and the rest of the troupe.

[Russ_Byth]

His Peter Mansbridge impersonation always broke me up.
So sorry to hear this news.

[groundwave]

He did quite a wicked Jean Chretien impersonation (facial contortion and all) - in spite of lacking the physical height to match Chretien's. I doubt most Air Farce viewers took any notice of that at least until the former prime minister, appearing as a celebrity guest, stood right next to Abbot in one of the troupe's "Year of the Farce" specials. Like John before him, he'll be missed.

[groundwave]

Earlier today, the following message was sent via Airfarce mail list:

Following the sad passing of one of Canada's most beloved comedians, and
in celebration of his enormous skills and gifts, CBC Television will air
Royal Canadian Air Farce Special: A Tribute to Roger Abbott tonight
(Tuesday, March 29) at 9:00 PM (9:30 NT).

The special will highlight some of Roger's most memorable moments on Air
Farce. A master of impersonation and comedic characters, his work covered
former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, CBC chief correspondent Peter
Mansbridge, singer Leonard Cohen, and the misogynist TV critic Gilbert
Smythe Bite-Me. For more information, please visit http://www.airfarce.com.

"Roger Abbott was, quite simply, at the very heart of the CBC family,"
said Kirstine Stewart, CBC's Executive Vice-President of English Services,
in a statement on Sunday. "As one of the founders of Royal Canadian Air
Farce, first on radio, then on television, he was, to generations of fans,
among the best-known and loved in the history of Canadian comedy. I would
extend on behalf of CBC our deepest condolences to his family and
friends."

Roger died Saturday night at Toronto General Hospital, 14 years after
being diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He was 64.

Many people have asked what they can do to remember Roger. His favorite
charity was Easter Seals Ontario. He was devoted to helping children with
physical disabilities and was a passionate supporter, with his time and
money, for more than 30 years. Donations can be made to Easter Seals
Ontario in his name at http://www.easterseals.org. Roger would thank you!

-- In loving memory of Roger, from Don and everbody at Air Farce.

[groundwave]

Oops... realized just moments ago that message was sent out yesterday - making "tonight" last night.

The tribute program can be viewed online here:

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/1221254309/ID=1862651020