OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF ONTARIO
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
12 January 2008
A MESSAGE FROM THE HONOURABLE DAVID C. ONLEY
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF ONTARIO
ON THE DEATH OF DUSTY COHL
I was saddened to learn of the death of Dusty Cohl, a leading light in Canada’s film and entertainment industry.
A great deal is being said today, with justification, of the iconic accomplishments and flare of the man who co-founded the Toronto International Film Festival, Canada’s Walk of Fame and his gift of bringing people together from all corners of the globe and watching the magic unfold.
I too have a story about the legendary “Dusty”, who knew my father, Charles Onley, solicitor for the City of North York, when Dusty was practicing real estate law. Dusty came to know of Shuttle, the 1981 novel I wrote about a space shuttle catastrophe. Dusty and George Anthony’s company bought the movie rights to my book.
The book was never made into a film but it was Dusty Cohl who invited me to the 1981 International Film Festival where I met movie producers, stars and TV people like Moses Znaimer from CityTV. It served as my first official entre into the film, TV and entertainment industry.I know there are hundreds of similar stories about how he would connect people with one other and I am one of the lucky recipients of his ability to build and nurture relationships. Rather than one specific project, he will be remembered moreover for the countless relationships he encouraged and cultivated that blossomed into significant projects, many of which we will never know about.
I join all Ontarians in mourning the passing of one of our country’s self styled, unconventional visionaries whose credibility, tenacity and charm put Canada in the international spotlight of the film, entertainment and television industry.
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Contact:
Nanda Casucci-Byrne
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
416-325-7780