The digital readout on the phone said: “Vallée B.” In addition to everything else he’d accomplished, I told him, he had become a rap artist. He liked that idea.
When he called, I knew it was time for my daily dose of the Vallée B news: another old newspaper pal gone; a new piece of information unearthed for the Edwin Alonzo Boyd book; the trouble editing the Conrad Black biography; the endless frustrations with a publisher over his latest book.
I always got the chapter and the verse. More than I sometimes wanted to know. But that was okay. He was Brian, after all, Vallée B. We talked nearly every day for over forty-two years. I don’t think we ever exchanged an angry word. Lots of jokes and arguments and jibes. But no anger.
The 70-year-old more formally known as Brian Vallée was a great newspaperman, an award-winning broadcaster, and a best-selling author. But to me he was simply and inevitably, Vallée B, that reassuring humor-filled voice on the phone, my closest and dearest friend.
He got me married twice (the second time as best man), helped me through a divorce, ran interference with various girlfriends when I was single, and when no one else would publish me, resurrected a publishing company he helped create, West-End Books, rolled up his sleeves and set about publishing my novel—an act of kindness and unwavering generosity that has quite literally changed my life.
It wasn’t just me, though. Brian was like that with everyone. If you needed help, Brian was there to provide it. He spent too much time trying to help everyone—dying pals, unemployed newsmen, frustrated writers, and wannabe journalists. Brian seldom said no to anyone.
He was handsome and charismatic, larger than life. Everyone he met just naturally gravitated to him. He was one of those people who existed in this special aura that acted as a magnet drawing in everyone he encountered.
I remember the moment I met him— lunchtime in 1969 at the Windsor Press Club. We were both reporters at the Windsor Star. I remember thinking he was somewhat shy and quiet. The next thing, I started hearing rumblings, stories from the late night front lines about this new guy Vallée. Not so quiet, as it turned out. Not so shy. A character.
He liked to play the piano late into the night. He did a little Johnny Cash and less Jerry Lee Lewis. He had a singular fault when it came to piano playing: he did not know a single tune. This, however, did not stop him. He played with ferocity and passion. So what if he didn’t quite know the whole song—or even half of it.
The amazing thing is, no one seemed to mind. Rapturous audiences would demand more. I used to wonder what they thought they were hearing. It wasn’t the music of course—there was no music—it was Brian. Everyone loved Brian.
But there was much more to him than his ability (as impressive as it was) to hold court around pianos. He also worked harder at his craft than just about anyone I ever knew. He took the business of journalism very seriously; the necessity to be accurate and true was paramount to him.
I don’t think he started out as a good writer, but he certainly finished up that way. The mellowing effect of the years, as well as his enduring relationship with his partner,Nancy Rahtz, provided him with a gravitas that opened the way to his finest work.
His last book, The War On Women, is also his best, a well-researched, eloquent cry for help for the victims of domestic violence.
In the past two years, he had become a passionate advocate for vulnerable women,and traveled the country speaking out for them. His fight for more awareness of domestic violence substantially raised the profile of that issue. He leaves a real legacy, a record of achievement few journalists can ever lay claim to.
There was so much more he wanted to do. Brian’s phone calls were filled with ambitious future plans both as an author and as a publisher. I marveled at what he wanted to do, wondered how he would ever get it all done.
But at the same time, those calls were filled with increasing complaints about back pain. He thought he had pulled something exercising. Instead of getting better, however, the pain grew worse.
His doctor sent him to physiotherapists. They provided no relief whatsoever. He could
not work he was hurting so much. Now when he phoned his voice sounded weak. He
seemed much older. Something was wrong, I said. This had to be more than a
pulled muscle. Finally, blood tests were done. His doctor ordered him to get to a hospital.
He went into St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, May 14. He never left. Yesterday morning at 10:33 a.m., with wonderful Nancy at his side, Brian went away. I got there a moment before he left. I took his hand in mine, and he was gone.
So that is how forty-two years of friendship slips off; how the best friends leave. As he escaped away, I shouted how much I loved him, and how much he had meant to me—how I would miss him.
He just kept going. I hope he heard me.
Author of "The Sanibel Sunset Detective" and "The Strange." Ron spends part of the year on Sanibel Island, Florida, where he writes detective novels featuring private eye Tree Callister. When he is not in Florida, he resides outside Toronto, Ontario with his wife, Kathy.
Our loss, but heaven’s gain. He’s probably up there at St. Peter’s big white baby grand piano singing out, “You picked a fine time to leave me, loose heel ……………. ”
I feel lucky to have known him. You’re so right — he was a very special guy.
Diane K., City Desk Clerk at the Toronto Star in 1978
Proud to have known Brian; loved his Press Club piano concerts!
Brian Vallee was the best of the best. Crying.
A fine tribute Ron, one — I am sure — he would have liked. I remember Bob McAleer introducing me to Brian years ago at a press function in Toronto; remember McAleer turning to me smiling and with excitement in his voice, saying, “C’mon — I want to introduce you to Brian Vallee.” Brian did that to people. Excited them about life’s possibilities. Nicely done Ron. Bill Schiller
A wonderful and touching blog; you captured Brian so well. He will be missed by so many, myself included. Who will help me celebrate all my future birthdays? Brian was always at the heart of the celebration, sitting at that piano…. My heart goes out to Nancy. Love, Erin
Thanks so much, Erin…Brian would be thrilled!
A lovely tribute, Ron.
A wonderful tribute, Ron.
One that speaks to love as much as it does to friendship.
Brian was one of my original deskmates when I started at the Toronto Star in 1975. He was a mentor who I respected much.
Anyone can fill space in a newspaper.
Brian left a hole in ours.
jw
Ron – What an honour, to have had Brian as a best friend for all those years. He was very special man and will be missed – he touched many lives. I am so sorry for your loss.
Paula Sloss
formerly Key Porter Books
Thank you Ron for capturing who your best friend and my beloved big brother really was. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
A beautiful piece, Ron, on a beautiful guy who embodied the term joie de vivre. So sorry for everyone’s loss.
Thank you for your sensitive piece on my good friend Vallee, B. He and I were born in 1940 at Sault Ste. Marie and have been friends since high school. He had a sense of justice which never changed over the years. I, along with countless others, will miss him and his spirit greatly.
That’s a lovely tribute to our long-time friend, Ron. Thank you. I am glad you were able to be with Nancy and Brian at the end. In your final declaration to him you spoke for many of us.
Great words Ron for a great man…I’m happy to hear you were there for the rest of us that felt so helpless..I loved him too, what was not to love?
I don’t know you Ron but have to commend you on this eloquent and touching memorial of words. I live in Saskatchewan and met Brian when he came to La Ronge for a presentation about his book ( The War on Women). I then got to know him better when he did the same in Prince Albert in 2009. We had many conversations about domestic violence but due to my interest in publishing my book which is soon to be released we had other conversations. He was easy to have long conversations with – especially loved were his descriptive true tales of moose and other such animals in barren places that he travelled to. Wish my memory served me better but I do remember the laughter! He would never have published my book as I am a new writer and the genre would never fit but he did talk of the inequities facing writers and especially new ones. I was sworn to secrecy about the resurrection of his publishing company. He told me that the books that he had ideas and done research on would never be all completed as he couldn’t possibly live long enough to write them all. I am grateful for the ones he did. Well, now I will stop as I could ramble on and on about what a wonderful person Brian was. I will miss him.
Wonderful words and memories, Sandy. Thanks so much for taking the time to write…
Ron,
A lovely tribute to your enduring friendship with Brian, I’m sorry for your loss.
I had the privilege of knowing Brian through his books Life with Billy and The War on Women.
He had such passion for his work and for the issue of violence against women; he was a fine writer with a generous spirit.
Brad Kalbfleisch
formerly of Key Porter Books
We miss him everyday Ron – as I am sure you do
Love
Marguerite Madill (Brian’s sister)
Too much is slipping away too quickly it seems.
I came here wanting to reconnect I guess.
I did…in a touching and poignant way.
Thank you Ron.
hana
You’re right, Hana, far too much is slipping away…thanks for your wonderful note….