by Joy Metcalfe

UNEXPECTED FAREWELLS ..

(click photos to enlarge)
The sudden passing of two giants in the B.C. business, hospitality and hotel industry has shocked and saddened their many industry friends and colleagues. Both were popular and in their prime.

Tall and lanky Warren (Mr. Likeable) Buckley, former CEO of the B.C. Pavillion Corporation, was the perfect man for the job as BC welcomed the world to the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre, B.C. Place Stadium and the BC Enterprise Centre.

I knew Warren primarily from broadcasting Joy’s Journal on CKNW from down at the Trade and Convention Centre every weekday at 4:45 p.m.. I did Frosty’s show at 7:15 a.m. from Metcalfe Central.

Warren was so good-natured, witty, intelligent and honorable. He exuded calmness and positivity.

He began his career as an RCMP officer in Chilliwack where he met Rilla, the love of his life, who travelled every step of the way with him.

I hadn’t seen Warren for some time so I felt quite devastated when I saw his obit in the Vancouver Sun.

It was a bright sunny day in Furry Creek on July 14, the day that Warren had chosen for a medically assisted death after being diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. My sincere condolences to Rilla and the Buckley family. My remembrances and prayers are with you.

The family has asked that donations in Warren’s name be sent to Dr. Robin Hsiung at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health.

In a twist of fate, the obituary for Warren in the Sun was on the same date and page of the obit for the hugely generous humanitarian, Djavad Mowafaghian. May they both rest in peace…

The other very sad and unexpected demise a few days ago was that of one of Vancouver’s most respected hoteliers, John Williams.

John began his hotel career in London, England before arriving in Vancouver where he took up the reins at several hotels, including the Delta Vancouver Airport, Delta River Inn, The Mandarin on Howe which became the Metropolitan, and the elegant Empress Hotel In Victoria

Suave, debonair and handsome, John swept through Vancouver like a breath of fresh air, charming everyone with his broad smile and English accent. And he worked well with other top execs like former Bayshore GM Denis Forristal, who recalled working with him on several fronts including revitalizing the old Vancouver Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to the present structure, funding formulas, union negotiations and marketing Vancouver as a world tourism destination, John’s favorite dream.

Retired hotelier Steve Halliday recalled hiring John to become the general manager of the popular Pan Pacific Hotel when Steve was shifted to the corporate offices in California, while the talented Susan Gomez worked with John at the Pan Pacific before becoming the Pan’s GM when John joined the Fairmont Group as Senior Vice President.

John rounded out his successful career as a major hotel force at the famed Savoy in London.

He and his lovely wife Susan retired to a summer home in Qualicum just prior to the COVID curse and became close neighbours of former Pan Pacific tenants, Gerry Sayers and Ernst Dorfler, who owned and ran the award-winning Five Sails restaurant.

John had recently been diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour, but didn’t want anyone to know though he did confide to his closest friends. A few weeks ago, Gerry and Ernst invited John and Susan Williams and Daniel and Susan Gomez for a fun weekend, where John was in fine form, telling stories and reliving the adventures of running a major hotel.

Two weeks later he was gone. Thankfully he went suddenly and peacefully .

My very deepest sympathy and prayers go out to John’s beloved wife, Susan and daughter Sarah, of whom he was so proud…

A Celebration of Life will be announced later…

Tony Antonius, at the typewriter where he created the ”tune”, “There’s Not A Single Suit” for Murray Goldman’s two-for-one sales, and other famous radio jingles.

REMEMBERING “$1.49 DAY” TONY

Speaking of ‘NW, the other day afternoon host, Jas Johal, was reminiscing over some of the best commercials ever heard on the airwaves when someone mentioned Woodward’s $1.49 Day ad.

Jas agreed that it was a good one, done by CKNW’s creative team. Just wanted to let you know, Jas, there wasn’t any “team” working on that commercial. It came totally out of the brain of one Tony Antonias.

The date was Feb. 17, 1958 and Tony was the station’s veteran copywriter. His old typewriter had broken down again and he was cranky. He went to management and demanded that a new typewriter be on his desk the next day.

And there it was the next morning.

He was quite happy with the new classy machine, but unhappy when told that he had to check with Woodward’s to hear what they wanted in the new ad.

“No way”, he grumbled, “get someone else to do that!” He was so angry that he swung his hand around and hit the new typewriter and it went “ding!”

Surprised, he hit it again and again, it dinged.

Tony had his melody and a prize-winning jingle!

It brought him local fame. awards and prizes including the Gold Medal from the prestigious Hollywood Advertising Club in California for creating the World’s Best Broadcasting Advertisement.

And it all happened 64 years ago… You’re welcome, Jas…

A HIGH-STYLE GRAND OPENING …

The grand opening of the Jura Hospitality Centre in Burnaby was a top notch success!

Jura, which stands for simple operation, outstanding design and the perfect result in a cup, is the leading world brand in automatic espresso coffee residential machines.

And now they have the ideal person as their business development manager in Manuel Otero, a longtime highly respected executive who brings a wealth of experience to his new role.

And what an opening party they had! Guests gathered at the new location at 1122 Boundary Road in Burnaby in the afternoon where they met and mingled while drinking superb coffee and touring the new operation.

That was followed by introductions, speeches and the official ribbon cutting. Then their guests hopped on big buses which whisked them down to the Cruise Ship Centre in downtown Vancouver for a cocktail reception, followed by dinner, drinks and a lovely cruise.

Now that’s a gala opening!...

IT’S THE GRANDE FESTA!

Something to look forward to is another exciting event in late September.

It’s the Grande Festa hosted by the Italian Chamber of Commerce celebrating their 30th anniversary in Canada with a grand night of feasting on superb Italian foods, drinking premier Italian wines, prizes, gift bags and a prize draw from Air Canada.

The icing of the proverbial cake will be their special guest, the irrepressible coach of the Vancouver White Caps. Vanni Sartori.

It’s all happening September 29 at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel and a benefit for the worthy Variety Club…

Also this month, it’s “Light Up Chinatown” on September 10 and 11 with live entertainment, Chinese specialties, Lion Dances, colourful lanterns and so much more…

IN CLOSING …

And finally, almost everyone knows the difference between right and wrong. Some just hate to make a decision…

Cheers!

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Thank you!
Kevin Dale McKeown
Editor & Publisher
editor@thewestendjournal.ca