Honouring the late Montrealer Eddy Nolan at 44th Terry Fox Run in the Old Port

The Old Port of Montreal is one of the 600 locations across Canada hosting the 44th edition of the Terry Fox Run to raise money for cancer research.

It’s the first year that the race run took place without Montrealer Eddy Nolan, who died on April 12, the same day that Terry Fox dipped his artificial leg into the Atlantic ocean in 1980.

His wife Mary Silvaggio says that her husband was a “vivid storyteller,” and when he would tell a story about his hero Terry Fox it was as if you were in the scene with him.

“I miss him terribly, I wish he were here,” said Silvaggio. “He had so much energy… people loved his passion.”

Hundreds participated in the non-competitive run. It began with a minute of silence for Eddy Nolan and all loved ones who had been lost to cancer.

“We lost my mom when in 1993. And that was a big impact on Eddie, who always ran for my mom and his sister, Gail Nolan,” said his niece Shannon Nolan. “We’ve lost a lot of people through cancer.”

Angela Kussey Nolan, his daughter, explained, “[Eddy] got diagnosed with cancer and he still ran the race a few months after being diagnosed.”

“Feeding tube and all… he just did it,” added Shannon.

Almost a quarter million Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in 2024, making it the leading cause of death. Research was a topic on many people’s mind. Without it, there would be no progress towards a cure. 

“Were it not for research, I am sure I would be dead. Yeah, has come up with a medication that I take every day. And you know, but if I didn’t know, you know, so research is critical. Yeah,” said Sharon Gubbay, a participant.

After an energizing warm up, the race began. It was hot under the September sun. 

Vimel Patel was taking a break before heading back out for a few laps. 

“Eddie, who’s led this race for the last 43 years, is not here this year, so it’s a little bit emotional in that sense for even runners like me who come every year,” said Patel. “We’re doing it for him, we’re doing it for everyone that we’ve lost personally, and for other people who we know as well who are impacted by cancer.”

The event was powered in large part by volunteers. Lyne Benoit, Director of community and school Terry Fox Runs in Quebec, says this year’s run had raised $100,000 more than last year.

“I’m channeling Terry [Fox’s] emotions and I think a him because he did 43 kilometers after waking up every morning at 4:30… this morning at 3:30 a.m. I told myself ‘Lyne wake up and that’s all you have to do,'” said Benoit.

Eddy Nolan campaigned tirelessly for the Terry Fox Run. Silvaggio recalls hearing her husband’s voice saying that it “doesn’t get old.”

“[Eddy] would always have something great to say about that person for their donation,” she said. “He would end his post by saying, ‘Be kind, it costs nothing,’ All the time.”