Ray Guy (humorist) facts for kids

Ray Guy (born April 22, 1939 – died May 14, 2013) was a Canadian writer and journalist. He was famous for his funny newspaper and magazine articles. These articles often used satire, which means he used humor to make fun of serious topics or people.

Early Life and Education

Ray Guy was born in Come By Chance, Newfoundland. His parents were George Hynes Guy and Alice Louisa Adams. He grew up and went to school in Arnold's Cove. This community later inspired many of his stories.

He studied journalism at the Ryerson Institute of Technology. Journalism is about gathering and presenting news. After finishing his studies, he became a writer.

A Career in Writing

Ray Guy worked for St. John's Evening Telegram newspaper from 1963 to 1974. His articles also appeared in magazines. These included Atlantic Insight and the Newfoundland Quarterly.

His writing covered many topics. He wrote funny essays about life in Newfoundland's small coastal towns, called "outports." He also wrote political satire. He often criticized the ideas of Premier Joseph Smallwood. This was at a time when it was hard to speak out against the Premier.

Awards and Recognition

Ray Guy won several important awards for his writing. In 1977, he received the Stephen Leacock Award. This award is given for the best humor writing in Canada. He won it for his book called That Far Greater Bay (1976).

He also won the Canadian National Magazine Awards. He received the Toronto-Dominion Bank Award For Humour twice. This happened in 1980 and again in 1987.

Ray Guy on Screen

In 1979, a TV show called Up at Ours was created. It was based on Ray Guy's ideas. The show was produced by CBC St. John's. It starred Mary Walsh and Ray Guy himself. Mary Walsh played the owner of a boarding house. Ray Guy played the main person living there.

Later, in 1985, Mary Walsh directed a play written by Guy. It was called Young Triffie's Been Made Away With. In 2006, Mary Walsh also directed this play as a movie. The movie was sometimes called Young Triffie.

Ray Guy also appeared on TV as a commentator. He shared his opinions on the CBC St. John's news program, Here & Now. In 2001, he received a special honorary doctorate degree. This was from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Later Years

Ray Guy passed away on May 14, 2013. He was 74 years old. He died from cancer.