Update for October 10, 2014: Dan Tribute edition of CROWE published:
| crowe_vol_15_issue_1_dan_dunlop.pdf |
Quick-witted, comedic, insightful and everyone’s friend…Those are just four of the many words that could describe Dan Wayne Dunlop. Remembered as a unique person who always made a lasting impression, Dan sadly passed away suddenly on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012 at the age of 55. Born Oct. 4, 1957 in Toronto, Dan grew up in Willowdale, ON. He attended A.Y. Jackson Secondary School. In his youth, he was active in hockey, playing with such skill that he soon reached the upper ranks of the MTHL. There he racked up numerous points and was known as an inspiring team player. Dan later followed his dreams to Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology where he studied Broadcasting. After graduating with honours, Dan began his career with the Rose & Ruby Production company in Toronto where he worked as a Transportation Coordinator. He later worked on the Canadian television series “Night Heat” for two years before joining Shaw Television in Richmond Hill. There he honed his craft as a gifted cameraman. He often accompanied police officers covering their shifts on ride-alongs. Dan moved to Barrie and soon became a member of the Shaw Television team. He remained at the station as it evolved into Rogers Television where he covered news, sports, entertainment and special features with his individual flair, before becoming the host of “Dunlop Live”, a weekly call-in show. Dan’s notoriety soared when he became the host of the comedy skit-based show “Big Mouth”. He developed a devoted following and even won a Rogers Television Award in 2005 as best on-air personality. A lover of animals of all kinds, Dan then worked at the Elmvale Jungle Zoo as an animal presenter and host. With his flair for comedy and his ability to engage people of all ages, Dan’s animal talks were regular crowd pleasers. Music was a big part of Dan’s life. He could often be found playing his guitar and singing with friends at local Barrie coffeehouses. He was also known for singing, doing impersonations or telling jokes to his colleagues, knowing, almost inherently, how to lift their spirits in the workplace. Along with his other talents, Dan was a gifted artist. It was not uncommon to find him, during a free moment, drawing fascinating cartoons or caricatures.Known by many names; Dan, Big Mouth or the Baron of Barrie, he loved this community and its people. He felt at home here and even recorded a song, an ode to his adopted City of Barrie. He was loud, outrageous and irreverent, but he could also be quiet and contemplative. There was a dichotic mixture of wackiness and profound insight. His take on society was often razor-sharp in its accuracy. Beyond his larger than life personality, Dan was a kind and gentle man who was a friend to everyone he met. He delighted in making people laugh to the point of tears and had a gift of allowing every person he met to feel valued, cared for and listened to. He was welcome in all circles from the most affluent to the average man on the street. His ability to build rapport, reach out and connect with people was legendary. And while he tended to fill any room he entered with his tremendous life force and energy, he was never too big to share the limelight with others. He was generous with his time, talent, encouragement and ideas. He was driven to create remarkable and memorable art, captivating everyone with his immeasurable enthusiasm. He was as much a teacher in life as he was a student. Quite simply, Dan was one-of-a-kind. He will be deeply missed by his loving family and friends. Dan leaves behind his mother Dianne Dunlop of Creemore, his sister Donna Pedersen, brother in law Kevin Pedersen, his nephew Jacob Pedersen and niece Faith Pedersen. He is predeceased by his father Warren Dunlop.
Please scroll down for some stories.
Please scroll down for some stories.
Dustin Leigh is pictured at left, and Chris Laycock, middle
There was never a dull moment with Dan. Always making you laugh and putting a positive spin on everything. He was a teenager trapped in an older man's body so when we brought him in to work at The Mansion, he immediately built a rapport with our younger clientele. Staff loved him, customers loved him and all of us miss him.
-Dustin Leigh
I found Dan Working at the Elmvale Zoo shortly after we had started Barrie.tv and we were looking for talent to do online shows at the time. I remember watching Big Mouth on Rogers many of night and thinking what a crazy man he was. It was the best local show in Barrie and I have yet to see another that was so original and comical. I approached him and told him that even though he didn't have a show on television anymore that it was possible to entertain his fans via the world wide web. He came in to see us shortly thereafter and we began to resurrect BIG MOUTH. Dan was an incredibly real person. Although he didn't have much, he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, literally. He visited my family often and even brought his rabbit Shmengy over for my daughter to play with. I ended up with his Storm Trooper Helmet which sits in my office and is a constant reminder of how much I really do miss him. It's funny cause I see him everywhere, I mean I see people that remind me of him all over the place and it makes me laugh, cause it will remind me of something funny he did. I miss his surprise visits to my office and always hope that I would hear his indistinguishable knock on my door one more time. Miss you tons home boy!
-Chris Laycock
There was never a dull moment with Dan. Always making you laugh and putting a positive spin on everything. He was a teenager trapped in an older man's body so when we brought him in to work at The Mansion, he immediately built a rapport with our younger clientele. Staff loved him, customers loved him and all of us miss him.
-Dustin Leigh
I found Dan Working at the Elmvale Zoo shortly after we had started Barrie.tv and we were looking for talent to do online shows at the time. I remember watching Big Mouth on Rogers many of night and thinking what a crazy man he was. It was the best local show in Barrie and I have yet to see another that was so original and comical. I approached him and told him that even though he didn't have a show on television anymore that it was possible to entertain his fans via the world wide web. He came in to see us shortly thereafter and we began to resurrect BIG MOUTH. Dan was an incredibly real person. Although he didn't have much, he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, literally. He visited my family often and even brought his rabbit Shmengy over for my daughter to play with. I ended up with his Storm Trooper Helmet which sits in my office and is a constant reminder of how much I really do miss him. It's funny cause I see him everywhere, I mean I see people that remind me of him all over the place and it makes me laugh, cause it will remind me of something funny he did. I miss his surprise visits to my office and always hope that I would hear his indistinguishable knock on my door one more time. Miss you tons home boy!
-Chris Laycock
Like everyone else in Barrie i had seen Dan Dunlop on Rogers TV many times and was well aware of his interesting high energy approach when interviewing guests so when i got a call from him to be on Dunlop Live i jumped at the chance. Meeting Dan and seeing his passion for television reminded me that not everything i see on TV is fake and everytime we worked together over the years it was ALWAYS very interesting and since i always brought weird exotic animals he soon developed a real interest in the natural world. When an opening came up to do live animal presentations at The Elmvale Jungle Zoo Dan was a great choice and soon we were teaching both kids and adults alike about animals. Dan brought his love of performing to his shows and over the Summer he entertained thousands and had a real sense of wonder that was contagious to anyone he encountered.
I have to say that Dan Dunlop was definitely one of the most interesting people i have ever met and i am forever grateful that he took the time to help me get my conservation message out to more people than i ever could have without his interest and assistance. He had many many friends and fans and i know will be missed. Some people you just meet and they pass though your Life but that was not Dan. He made an impression on everyone and his passion and realism will be ever more appreciated as time goes on and as more fake reality television comes across our TV screens his truth and style will become a thing we look back upon and fondly remember.
-Chris Beleskey
www.zootours.ca
I have to say that Dan Dunlop was definitely one of the most interesting people i have ever met and i am forever grateful that he took the time to help me get my conservation message out to more people than i ever could have without his interest and assistance. He had many many friends and fans and i know will be missed. Some people you just meet and they pass though your Life but that was not Dan. He made an impression on everyone and his passion and realism will be ever more appreciated as time goes on and as more fake reality television comes across our TV screens his truth and style will become a thing we look back upon and fondly remember.
-Chris Beleskey
www.zootours.ca
Dan was a maverick. He didn't go by the rules, although he could suffer them when absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, that won't make it easy to get by in the entertainment/media world. But Dan still didn't sell out. He had integrity and heart. He understood funny, and he lived it daily. He eschewed the artsy fartsy egotism that is rampant in the business, keeping his feet on the ground while raising Barrie residents up to the stars with his local shenanigans. Despite his growing popularity, he wouldn't take it too seriously. I remember him saying to me: "Fins, do ya think the folks in New York are wondering what we're doing here in Barrie?"
He wanted to keep it real, and target the average folks. He didn't pander to the suits; he just wanted to make people laugh. He did that quite naturally, on his own terms and for that he always had my respect.
-David Finlay
He wanted to keep it real, and target the average folks. He didn't pander to the suits; he just wanted to make people laugh. He did that quite naturally, on his own terms and for that he always had my respect.
-David Finlay
I was asked to do a little something on this site about what Dan meant to me.
Before I met Dan I was a graphic artist working at a promotion studio in Barrie and the head of the company was friends with Dan and told me all about him, so I decided to meet him and that’s where my life in Big Mouth began. He showed me how to do video and everything I needed to know about production. One day I decided to bring a still camera on one of our sites to take some pictures of all the crazy things we do behind camera, and I had a blast – I think that’s where me becoming a photographer started. I started to shoot from there on, and Dan helped me along the way, and now this is my job. If it wasn’t for Dan I think I would be working a 9 to 5 but now I can do what I love.
The time I had on Big Mouth, and the time spent with Dan I will never forget. The show, the crew truly made me who I am today. I know that everyone that knew Dan can say the same thing.
The skills he was able to teach me I still use everyday of my life, and no one has ever made that kind of impact on my life since.
-Stephen Elliott
Before I met Dan I was a graphic artist working at a promotion studio in Barrie and the head of the company was friends with Dan and told me all about him, so I decided to meet him and that’s where my life in Big Mouth began. He showed me how to do video and everything I needed to know about production. One day I decided to bring a still camera on one of our sites to take some pictures of all the crazy things we do behind camera, and I had a blast – I think that’s where me becoming a photographer started. I started to shoot from there on, and Dan helped me along the way, and now this is my job. If it wasn’t for Dan I think I would be working a 9 to 5 but now I can do what I love.
The time I had on Big Mouth, and the time spent with Dan I will never forget. The show, the crew truly made me who I am today. I know that everyone that knew Dan can say the same thing.
The skills he was able to teach me I still use everyday of my life, and no one has ever made that kind of impact on my life since.
-Stephen Elliott
I first met Dan in 1998 when I was working for Shaw TV. Frank Myers was the Station Manager. We all loved him, he was hysterically funny. We worked together on the Christmas Party Video for Shaw's Christmas Party. Seeing some of his work, I realized how exceptional he was at lighting- videography and setting up a scene. We had a blast - I never laughed so much in my life. We always stayed in touch - I would get random voice messages from impersonators and I would laugh - after the first sentence - I always knew it was him. I would always run into him and his mom all over town and I would always stop and say hello and chat for a bit. He loved his mom - she was his purpose - she kept him grounded - when she had to go to a nursing home it was devastating for him. We knew each other for such a long yet I knew nothing personal him or that he was struggling. He hid it well. I often think if he was only with us now - at this point in time, with all the activity that is taking place in the Art & Culture Sector. Dan was a phenomenal artist - that is the saddest part of all.
As much as he is gone he is NOT really, his spirit lives among us - I still feel his presence - I hear his crazy laugh - it's like he sprinkled fairy dust everywhere. The Danapaloza event raised $1,000.00 -as a result of a silent auction of Dan's belongings. The money is in a bank account and once the Community Wholeness Centre www.wholenesscentrebarrie.com, opens its doors, we will look at booking a date to host another event to raise the money for an Endowment Fund. We need 10,000 to open a Barrie Community Trust Fund in memory of Dan and naming it the Dan Dunlop Art & Culture Legacy Fund. Terms of reference would be determined at that point. Committee Members will meet to discuss the date for the next event. If you are interested in being a part of the event or would like to contribute to the fund, please email me directly at [email protected]. My cell number is 705-241-5488. Thank-you Darren Roskam for your persistence and not backing down from your commitment. I apologize for the delay in getting this to you but the words were not forthcoming. You are a good man for doing this. Thank-you.
-Yolanda Gallo
www.wholenesscentrebarrie.com
As much as he is gone he is NOT really, his spirit lives among us - I still feel his presence - I hear his crazy laugh - it's like he sprinkled fairy dust everywhere. The Danapaloza event raised $1,000.00 -as a result of a silent auction of Dan's belongings. The money is in a bank account and once the Community Wholeness Centre www.wholenesscentrebarrie.com, opens its doors, we will look at booking a date to host another event to raise the money for an Endowment Fund. We need 10,000 to open a Barrie Community Trust Fund in memory of Dan and naming it the Dan Dunlop Art & Culture Legacy Fund. Terms of reference would be determined at that point. Committee Members will meet to discuss the date for the next event. If you are interested in being a part of the event or would like to contribute to the fund, please email me directly at [email protected]. My cell number is 705-241-5488. Thank-you Darren Roskam for your persistence and not backing down from your commitment. I apologize for the delay in getting this to you but the words were not forthcoming. You are a good man for doing this. Thank-you.
-Yolanda Gallo
www.wholenesscentrebarrie.com
Dan and I used to get a good laugh on. We both had some pretty warped minds and quick wit, not to mention a "colourful vocabulary." We would talk about our favourite director, Tim Burton, all the time and compare notes (I'm pretty sure we drove Donna, his sister, crazy! Sometimes purposefully, I suspect...haha!).
Dan had an amazing look at things and his own unique style.
He was a fun and funny guy, and will be missed.
-Erin Thomas
Dan had an amazing look at things and his own unique style.
He was a fun and funny guy, and will be missed.
-Erin Thomas
Hi Darren, I received your message on youtube. I was fortunate to meet Dan Dunlop however I did not really know him. I was touched by his story after he had the car accident and found out how much he had done for Barrie. That is why I wanted to help out any way I could. Music is a big part of my life as it is was for Dan and playing at the benefit and meeting him at the Spotlight in Barrie was great. I also felt compelled to show my support and play at the benefit at the Mansion after he passed. So sorry to see him go so soon. I wish I could have known him better.
-Lyric Dubee
http://lyricdubee.com/
NOTE: Lyric is the youngest here and he responded the fastest with a reply, a story, and a pic. Class act.
-Lyric Dubee
http://lyricdubee.com/
NOTE: Lyric is the youngest here and he responded the fastest with a reply, a story, and a pic. Class act.
The first memory of Dan Dunlop was him gifting me with a smile. That was in the late nineties. He was full of energy. Anyone that met Dan quickly learned of his wit. His humour was natural and honest as he always wanted to entertain and make you laugh.
Dan was one of the best videographers that I knew. His choice of angles and composition were always unique and he quite often explored out of the box framing. You could rely on his work to be solid and visually captivating.
Dan had so many talents, but the next one I had the pleasure to explore was his on-air ability to engage and entertain. He hosted 3 - 1 hour, live TV programs per week called Dunlop Live. It was a show about current community issues or topics that we thought people might want to talk about. Subjects like legal basement apartments, exploring different types of religion, the restaurant ban on smoking or who the best NFL team was. No matter what the topic. he always went above and beyond on set and costume design to enhance the topic. He truly was an entertainer knowing when to be serious and when to make us laugh.
I learned that Dan was a collector, a football fan, a great musician, an artist and an animal lover...but most of all he was a person that would help anyone in need...at any time or place.
Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes with so many faces in and out of our lives. Some leave a deep and cherished memory and Dan Dunlop is one of those people for me.
-Terry Leigh
Dan was one of the best videographers that I knew. His choice of angles and composition were always unique and he quite often explored out of the box framing. You could rely on his work to be solid and visually captivating.
Dan had so many talents, but the next one I had the pleasure to explore was his on-air ability to engage and entertain. He hosted 3 - 1 hour, live TV programs per week called Dunlop Live. It was a show about current community issues or topics that we thought people might want to talk about. Subjects like legal basement apartments, exploring different types of religion, the restaurant ban on smoking or who the best NFL team was. No matter what the topic. he always went above and beyond on set and costume design to enhance the topic. He truly was an entertainer knowing when to be serious and when to make us laugh.
I learned that Dan was a collector, a football fan, a great musician, an artist and an animal lover...but most of all he was a person that would help anyone in need...at any time or place.
Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes with so many faces in and out of our lives. Some leave a deep and cherished memory and Dan Dunlop is one of those people for me.
-Terry Leigh
Dan Dunlop was my friend first and foremost. No one can deny that Dan was a character given his wild and crazy Steve Martin type antics or his over the top characterizations of god knows who. He made me laugh to the point of crying. But there is another side of Dan that was not so visible…that being his deep sensitivity and caring. You had to look behind that comical mask but it was there. Perhaps we should have looked at that side of Dan a little closer. I miss Dan. I miss his comical wit, his music, his laugh, his huge personality. God bless my friend.
-Steve McEown
-Steve McEown
When we travel from childhood to adulthood, there are fewer times to laugh as we did as children. Almost every time I went to visit Dan, those times came back. There are not many people who provide the gift of joy on a regular basis, and Dan was one of them. When they pass on, you feel a sense of exponential loss as you notice while looking to others, that most of them do not share those types of gifts. I am grateful that Dan shared that with me.
-Sharron Byram
-Sharron Byram
It was a great pleasure visiting Barrie and meeting Dan Dunlop. I remember him as a very funny guy and that being something we shared in common. I am sad to hear he is gone and I am glad I had the opportunity to meet him when I did. I wish peace and comfort for all the people of Barrie.
Sincerely,
Ron Jeremy
NOTE: Please watch the interview Dan did with Ron by clicking here.
Sincerely,
Ron Jeremy
NOTE: Please watch the interview Dan did with Ron by clicking here.
I met Dan Dunlop when I was 17. I had dropped out of regular high school, was working part time at Fitzy's Crab shack and going to half day classes at Barrie's Adult Learning center, trying to get my life in order. At the time, I was also living on my own and truthfully hanging out in the wrong crowd. My schooling involved a Co-op class, I needed to find hours to graduate and I wasn't sure what to do. I decided I liked current events, the news, documetaries and I also liked the new Jack Ass series on tv. So I took a placement at Rogers television in Barrie, where I met Dan. There was immediate connection when we met. He was a funny guy but also very serious and passionate about making good tv. He was just developing his series Big Mouth, and I jumped on board. Dan really took me in, he knew I needed guidance and he knew I had potential. He spent a lot of energy teaching me how to write, direct, edit and shoot tv. He put in me, a stronger work ethic than I had before. He treated me like his soldier at work, he could be tough, but he was always right. I learned quickly that this man was the guy to turn to for almost anything. Dan didn't have to make a friend in me, but he really went the distance too. I spent many weekends on his couch, we shared all our stories, told each other our big dreams, and had a blast making music or funny little sketches. He was like my big brother! He was the first man that actually respected me, listened to what I had to say, and really trusted me.
I graduated high school and left to the big city for tv production and broadcasting, excited to have a future a head of me that looked awesome. Dan was always there to answer my calls, when I needed advise, help, he was a friend that would listen to all my issues. I might not have made it with out him. Now I've been working in TV for 13 years, I'm traveling the world, shooting and producing! I could have never imagined it! Dan Dunlop I will carry your legacy of tv making with me until I die and see you again. You were and still are a great teacher. You will always be my best friend. I'll never forget how you found humor in everyday situations and brought smiles to pretty much everyone you met.
You always brought light to people's lives, you were and will be light in my life forever! Danny you left us too soon, I forgive you, but when I see you again, you will hear about it!!! I love you Danny boy! Watch over me bro :)
-Darryl van Slack
I graduated high school and left to the big city for tv production and broadcasting, excited to have a future a head of me that looked awesome. Dan was always there to answer my calls, when I needed advise, help, he was a friend that would listen to all my issues. I might not have made it with out him. Now I've been working in TV for 13 years, I'm traveling the world, shooting and producing! I could have never imagined it! Dan Dunlop I will carry your legacy of tv making with me until I die and see you again. You were and still are a great teacher. You will always be my best friend. I'll never forget how you found humor in everyday situations and brought smiles to pretty much everyone you met.
You always brought light to people's lives, you were and will be light in my life forever! Danny you left us too soon, I forgive you, but when I see you again, you will hear about it!!! I love you Danny boy! Watch over me bro :)
-Darryl van Slack
How can I sum up Dan Dunlop in a single word? I could use words such as kind, smart, hilarious, driven, talented and outrageous. While Dan was all those words and much more, in my opinion, the best word to use to describe him is "friend." I use the word friend because that is what Dan was to not only me but to everyone who knew him.
I met Dan in the spring of 2003 when I was a co-op student at Rogers Television in Barrie. Within minutes of meeting me, he pointed at me and told me he wanted me to help him out on his local television show. He said I had the right stuff for television. So, I joined him and others like Stephen Elliott and Darryl van Slack to create that madness that became known as “Big Mouth”. Not only was helping him on his show was an absolute blast, it was instructive for me, too. Now as a multimedia professional in my life, Dan taught me about both the creative and technical sides of broadcast television. The skills he taught me many years ago are skills I still use today. He always created a fun environment wherever we worked together, and always made everyone around him feel welcomed and just plain good. He was a goofball, yes, but he also was a massive talent, a maverick and a passionate educator.
Even after my time on “Big Mouth”, whenever I would bump into Dan on the streets of Barrie, he always put a smile on my face. He always had a new story tell me, he would recall our good times together and he always had something insightful to say while still being as funny as he was. When I think of Dan now, I’m always reminded how good of a friend he was to me. I will always miss the crazy, loveable Dan “Big Mouth” Dunlop.
-Stephen J. Donkers
I met Dan in the spring of 2003 when I was a co-op student at Rogers Television in Barrie. Within minutes of meeting me, he pointed at me and told me he wanted me to help him out on his local television show. He said I had the right stuff for television. So, I joined him and others like Stephen Elliott and Darryl van Slack to create that madness that became known as “Big Mouth”. Not only was helping him on his show was an absolute blast, it was instructive for me, too. Now as a multimedia professional in my life, Dan taught me about both the creative and technical sides of broadcast television. The skills he taught me many years ago are skills I still use today. He always created a fun environment wherever we worked together, and always made everyone around him feel welcomed and just plain good. He was a goofball, yes, but he also was a massive talent, a maverick and a passionate educator.
Even after my time on “Big Mouth”, whenever I would bump into Dan on the streets of Barrie, he always put a smile on my face. He always had a new story tell me, he would recall our good times together and he always had something insightful to say while still being as funny as he was. When I think of Dan now, I’m always reminded how good of a friend he was to me. I will always miss the crazy, loveable Dan “Big Mouth” Dunlop.
-Stephen J. Donkers
Dan would come by my house often, and we would play guitar together. He also took the time to show my sons some American-style football skills. He was always cool, always nice.
One of the very few people who really would give you the shirt off his back.
–John Ritson
One of the very few people who really would give you the shirt off his back.
–John Ritson
Dan was an extremely funny man. I met him while he was doing the Rogers Show. He cared about people in general. His on the street interviews were superb. He'd come and have his hair washed and styled before his Rogers Show. I did not see Dan for a long period of time. He showed up next door helping Chris Laycock and was the same hilarious, spontaneous and lovable man. I was shocked at his death.
He was one of the good ones.
–Mike Oliver
He was one of the good ones.
–Mike Oliver
Larry Hurd is pictured at right
Darren suggested that I should go last with some thoughts and remembrances of my extraordinary friend Dan Dunlop. It's Monday Aug 11th 2014 and I'm sitting at home watching all the news reports of Robin William's tragic death. Just found out he hung himself moments ago and I immediately connected the dots to Nov. 17 2012. What would cause these two incredibly talented men to take their own lives? "A permanent solution to a temporary problem", many say. Thing is, for Dan and Robin, it was always there, lurking in the background, this deep dark place that continually pulled at them. They both fought that darkness by finding humour everywhere and delivering it to us with machine gun like speed. Perhaps they ran out of bullets? Or maybe the gun jammed.
Finding a best friend at the age of 54 is probably rare but that's what happened when I met Dan at Barrie.TV in the early winter of 2010. We went through the usual, where are you from, what school did you go to etc. We quickly discovered are shared experiences growing up in Toronto playing hockey and even attending the same media course at Seneca. Ours was to become a symbiotic relationship that worked like a finely tuned Swiss watch. He was the "entertainer," the "musician," and funny man extraordinaire who could make you laugh until you begged him to stop. Great material for television and Dan had lots of experience gleaned at Rogers. That, combined with my technical expertise and editing abilities seemed a sure fire recipe for success. I loved every moment that I worked with him and saw his genius at work.
Not only did Dan and I work together, we became like brothers having each other's back. There are many stories that I could write about here but others have done that and done it well. I want to take a few moments to speak about this man's incredible talent. Think for a moment, how many people do you know who can operate in any arts milieu and master it. Dan could sing and play guitar and could be seen at several drinking establishments in Barrie playing live. Dan could also act and Dance, at times emulating Michael Jackson with some impressive moves. Perhaps Dan's greatest talent was his ability to make people laugh. Like Robin Williams Dan's comedy was mostly in the moment, things or people around him would trigger this volcanic eruption of humour that stopped for no one.
I miss him.
–Larry Hurd
Dan's best friend
Darren suggested that I should go last with some thoughts and remembrances of my extraordinary friend Dan Dunlop. It's Monday Aug 11th 2014 and I'm sitting at home watching all the news reports of Robin William's tragic death. Just found out he hung himself moments ago and I immediately connected the dots to Nov. 17 2012. What would cause these two incredibly talented men to take their own lives? "A permanent solution to a temporary problem", many say. Thing is, for Dan and Robin, it was always there, lurking in the background, this deep dark place that continually pulled at them. They both fought that darkness by finding humour everywhere and delivering it to us with machine gun like speed. Perhaps they ran out of bullets? Or maybe the gun jammed.
Finding a best friend at the age of 54 is probably rare but that's what happened when I met Dan at Barrie.TV in the early winter of 2010. We went through the usual, where are you from, what school did you go to etc. We quickly discovered are shared experiences growing up in Toronto playing hockey and even attending the same media course at Seneca. Ours was to become a symbiotic relationship that worked like a finely tuned Swiss watch. He was the "entertainer," the "musician," and funny man extraordinaire who could make you laugh until you begged him to stop. Great material for television and Dan had lots of experience gleaned at Rogers. That, combined with my technical expertise and editing abilities seemed a sure fire recipe for success. I loved every moment that I worked with him and saw his genius at work.
Not only did Dan and I work together, we became like brothers having each other's back. There are many stories that I could write about here but others have done that and done it well. I want to take a few moments to speak about this man's incredible talent. Think for a moment, how many people do you know who can operate in any arts milieu and master it. Dan could sing and play guitar and could be seen at several drinking establishments in Barrie playing live. Dan could also act and Dance, at times emulating Michael Jackson with some impressive moves. Perhaps Dan's greatest talent was his ability to make people laugh. Like Robin Williams Dan's comedy was mostly in the moment, things or people around him would trigger this volcanic eruption of humour that stopped for no one.
I miss him.
–Larry Hurd
Dan's best friend
Darren Roskam, here. My story on Dan is in the PDF at the top of the page. My email is [email protected] and if you knew Dan and have any stories or pictures then please email them to me, thanks.
