Death of newspaper founder leaves gap in publication for Montreal’s English-speaking Black community
Posted June 7, 2023 9:27 pm.
Last Updated June 8, 2023 3:22 pm.
The death of Egbert Gaye – the founder and managing editor of Montreal Community Contact newspaper – has left a huge void for the publication for Montreal’s English-speaking Black community.
“Egbert is irreplaceable. He is I mean, from writing the paper, getting the advertising to, you know, doing all the editing and then delivering the paper,” said Gemma Raeburn-Baynes, president of Playmas Montreal Cultural Association.
“We really do not want to see the paper stop. I don’t think it will because there’s so many people rallying around the people. It has touched so many lives.”
CityNews spoke to Emar Mitchell, the son of Egbert Gaye, and while he was not ready to speak on camera, he did say that once the newspaper has had time to deal with this loss, they are going to continue the publication.
“Once Emar, you know, can settle down. I know it’s very, very hard for him. I spoke with him today. It’s very difficult for him right now, but I’m sure that he would want to continue his dad’s legacy. And we have the community that will stand behind him and continue to support him,” said Raeburn-Baynes.
To support Mitchell and the newspaper — which has been in circulation since 1992 — the community is also planning a fundraising event with live music this fall.
“It’s a landmark in the community. He gave me my very, very first interview, my very first business ad publicity, you know, and it would be a shame if it would just stop right now. So I think it should be continued,” explained Peter Liburd, owner of King Kutz Barbershop.
Raeburn-Baynes added, “Now is the time for us to show great support and to do a tribute. And all the funds that we raised, we contributed all the proceeds to the paper in order to give the feeling that we want this paper to continue.”
The date and location of the fundraiser are still to be determined, but to commemorate the life of Egbert Gaye – who passed away on Sunday at the age of 67 – there will also be an event at the Spice Island Cultural Festival on July 8 at Vinet Park.
“We are going to pay tribute to him. We have singers, we have players, we’ve got speakers who will come and talk about him. And it’s Open Park,” said Raeburn-Baynes. “We can have as many people as we like. And I’m sure a lot of people will come out and enjoy themselves and just feel his presence because he was always there with us.