Paddy Sherman, Former Province Publisher and Journalism Pioneer, Dies at 97
Paddy Sherman, a towering figure in Canadian journalism whose career spanned from reporter to president of the Southam Newspaper Group, has died at the age of 97. Sherman passed away on January 20 at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver following a fall at his West Vancouver home.
From Humble Beginnings to Newspaper Leadership
Born Patrick Sherman on March 16, 1928, in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, Sherman came from modest beginnings. His father worked as a longshoreman, and initially thought his son was "crazy" for pursuing an unpaid articling position at a local newspaper. This determination would define Sherman's remarkable journey through the ranks of Canadian media.
After proving himself as a natural journalist in Wales and later at the Yorkshire Post in Leeds, England, Sherman and his wife Maureen moved to Vancouver in August 1952. "At some point someone told him Canada had great mountains," his son Michael recalled, explaining the motivation behind their transatlantic relocation.
A Storied Career at The Province and Beyond
Sherman's Canadian journalism career began with a brief stint at The Vancouver Sun before he joined rival newspaper The Province in 1952. Over three decades, he would hold nearly every significant position at the publication:
- Legislative columnist (1960-1965)
- Editor (1965-1972)
- Publisher (1972-1982)
In 1982, Sherman moved east to become publisher of the Ottawa Citizen. His career reached its pinnacle in 1985 when he was named president of the Southam Newspaper Group, becoming the first person outside the Southam family to hold this prestigious position.
Mountain Climbing and Journalism Intersect
Sherman's passion for mountain climbing proved more than just a hobby—it directly impacted his journalism career. On May 14, 1957, his alpine expertise became crucial when he led a team of four climbers to locate the wreckage of a Trans-Canada Airlines North Star that had crashed on Mount Slesse near Chilliwack five months earlier.
"He organized and led the B.C. Centennial Expedition that made the first Canadian ascent of B.C.'s highest point, Mount Fairweather, 15,300 feet," Sherman wrote in his own obituary prepared years before his death.
His son Michael described Sherman's dedication to fitness: "He used to climb up Grouse Mountain under the old chairlift with a packsack full of rocks, and he got up and down twice with the packsack full of rocks to get in shape." Despite standing just 5-foot-7, Sherman maintained exceptional physical condition throughout his life.
Journalistic Legacy and Impact
Sherman's most significant journalistic achievement came on January 24, 1963, when he authored a comprehensive four-page special on the "Columbia River power plan" and the international treaty to build it. This groundbreaking piece explained the complex dam project in accessible terms for readers, demonstrating Sherman's commitment to public understanding of important issues.
His career exemplified the transition of Canadian journalism through the latter half of the 20th century, from local reporting to national media leadership. Sherman's journey from Wales to the highest echelons of Canadian newspaper publishing remains an inspiring story of determination, skill, and journalistic excellence.
Sherman is survived by his family, including son Michael, who shared insights into his father's remarkable life and career. The Canadian journalism community mourns the loss of a true pioneer whose influence extended across multiple publications and generations of journalists.
