Gordon Atkinson

Gordon Atkinson
MNA for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
In office 1989–1994
Preceded by	Harold Thuringer
Succeeded by	Russell Copeman
Personal details
Born	August 24, 1922 Winnipeg, Manitoba
Died	January 13, 2006
Political party	Equality Party
Profession	broadcaster

Gordon Atkinson (August 24, 1922–January 13, 2006) was a broadcaster and politician in Quebec, Canada.^[1]

Background

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Atkinson became a radio announcer in Calgary, Alberta in 1937. Between 1946 and 1950 he worked in radio, cinema and theatre both in Los Angeles and Canada. Gordon Atkinson was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, August 24, 1922, son of William James Atkinson, officer of the Canadian armed Forces, and Martha Kathleen Johnson. He was an infantry officer with the Calgary Highlanders during the Second World War and served in the Northwest Europe campaign. After the war Gordon moved to Los Angeles as a TV, radio and motion picture actor, writer and director. He received his training at the Pasedena Playhouse, where he studied with notables as Carolyn Jones (The Adams Family) and Perry Mason's secretary, Della Street played by Barbara Hale.

In the early 1950s he rejoined the Canadian Army with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) for the Korean War, serving in Korea and Japan. After the war, he was asked by the CBC to become a teacher of television for the newly created CBC-TV in Toronto. From 1955 to 1957 he worked as an advisor to Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent. From 1957 to 1980 Atkinson was a CBC TV sports commentator, working out of Montreal, covering all Olympic, Pan-American, Canadian and international events. Throughout the 1980s, Gordon was a political / social commentator on CJAD 800 in Montreal. He got into politics again in the late 1980s and through the early 1990s, when he was elected a Member of the Quebec National Assembly with the Equality Party in the riding of Notre-Dame-de-Grace. He got back into radio from 1993 to 1997 as political and social commentator for CIQC 600 radio in Montreal. Atkinson retired in 1998, but recorded a two hour program broadcast every Remembrance Day (November 11) on CJAD 800. The program was given to CJAD in perpetuity, in memory of "those friends who were killed in the two wars in which I participated."

He moved to Winnipeg from Toronto in 1954 as CBC Program Manager. While there, he created many television shows, most of which were brought under question due to the morals of the time. He hired a night club entertainer and his wife as a (male) host for an entertainment program. The program was cancelled as common folk objected to a night club owner/entertainer involved in Television. While in Winnipeg, he helped to bring up lines from B.C. to Vancouver, and created Vancouver CBC Television. Frustrated with the petty politics, he moved his family to Montreal, where he worked in theatre at the Mountain Playhouse for many years. He was actor, director, and voice actor in the community. He also directed many plays at McGill University (Wry and Ginger 1959).

In the early ’60s he worked as a bit player in many films about Canada, and was also a regular on SEAWAY, a CBC series, filmed in Quebec City.

He also ran a Sunday drag strip at the St. Hubert Airport (at the time it was not in use). Lucy, his wife, owned the hot dog stand.

He lobbied to get Downhill Skiing into the Olympic Games for Canada (1950s).

Provincial Politics

In the general election of 1989, he ran as the Equality Party candidate in the Montreal riding of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. Atkinson defeated Liberal incumbent Harold Thuringer and become a Member of the National Assembly of Quebec.

By March 29, 1994, Atkinson sat as an Independent. He was defeated by Liberal candidate Russell Copeman in 1994.

Titles

Commander, Most Ven. Order of St. John of Jerusalem; Bd. of Din, St. John Ambulance & St. John Fdn. 1980- ; Knight of Justice, St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, Board of Directors St. John Ambulance and St. John Fdn (1980) Hon. Aide de cmape to Lt-Gov of Quebec 1989-2005

Awards

1967- Centennial Medal for most beautifal small farm in Quebec (St. Eustache (Parish)) 1976 - Actra Award - Radio Commentary 1976 - Short TV Documentary 1989 - Nellie - Editoral Commentary (Radio)

Boards

1993-1996 - Board of Directors - Catherine Booth Hospital 1985 - 1991 - Director, CH of St. James the Apostle (Anglican) 1989 - Heraldry Society of Canada (Montreal Chapter) 1991 - Member United Empire Loyalist 1988 - Board of Directors - War Veterans Homes (Quebec) 1980-1982 - President, Montreal Press Club

Honorary Positions

1967 - 1978 - Honorary Secretary Montreal Hunt Club 1980 - ? - Hon. Lt-Col 78th raser Highlanders. 1980 - Founding Member, Equality Party

Recreation

Fox Hunting (Montreal Hunt Club) Equestrian Competitions (Hunter Trials all over Canada and Europe) Tennis (Club - Mount Stephen, Montreal)

Personal life

Gordon Atkinson married in 1952- 1977 to Lucy, a singer with Leslie Bell Singers. She appeared on CBC the first night they aired television. They had 3 children. Kathryn, Marta,Christopher.

He is survived by 4 grandchildren including Adrianna, Kathryn, Kellina and Andrew.

In 1986 (divorced 1997) he married Constance. The marriage produced no children.

Atkinson is survived by his widow, Pierrette (2004). At his passing, he had been ill for some time and had been living in a seniors residence.

Footnotes

1. ^ Biography of Gordon Atkinson, Assemblée nationale du Québec

Persondata
Name	Atkinson, Gordon
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	August 24, 1922
Place of birth	Winnipeg, Manitoba
Date of death	January 13, 2006
Place of death