Obituary for Patrick Joseph "Pat" McNenly
Pat McNenly, 86: Star reporter always got 'the goods'
Feb 21, 2008 04:30 AM
When a journalist's name still comes up fondly in conversations long after his retirement, one can imagine how much influence he had during his tenure at the newspaper.
Former Star reporter Pat McNenly was such a legendary journalist. He died yesterday at Oakville-Trafalgar hospital at the age of 86.
"Throughout his career, he was a thoroughly professional journalist in every sense of the word: he was dogged, he was accurate, he was productive and he certainly knew both how to cultivate sources and still get the goods from them for, most often, a front-page story," said former Star Managing Editor Mary Deanne Shears.
"He was the go-to man, especially on Sundays, when we wanted an exclusive for Monday's paper. He was a tenacious reporter who never failed to deliver."
A search of his work, from 1985 to 1988 alone, turns up scores of front-page stories on topics ranging from the free trade talks to Meech Lake constitutional accord negotiations and debates over Ontario's Sunday store closing law.
Born in Espanola, Ont., McNenly always aspired to become a journalist and started freelancing at the Sudbury Star as a teen. After returning from World War II with the R.A.F. 263 Typhoon Squadron, he attended the University of Western Ontario, where he met his future wife, Helen. After graduating with a journalism degree, McNenly joined the Toronto Star and launched his 40-year career with the paper until his retirement in 1989 at age 67.
"He was an old-style reporter, always worked his butt off," said veteran Star news editor Norris McDonald, who first met McNenly when he joined the paper in 1973.
McDonald said McNenly was a strong advocate for social justice, which was often the theme of his stories. Calling McNenly a "prolific writer" is an understatement, he said. "Pat was just a special reporter," noted McDonald. "He loved social policy stories. He felt strongly about those issues that were important to the Star."
One of the least known secrets about McNenly is probably the fact that he was a card-holding provincial Conservative Party member all his life, noted his son Patrick McNenly Jr.
"He was a person who knew so many things but was very shy and reserved," recalled his son, whose godfather was a former Conservative MPP. "He was always truthful and fair. His story was never one-sided."
Predeceased by his wife, McNenly leaves sons Hugh and Patrick, their spouses, Helen and Suzanne, and grandchildren Brennan, Evan, Heather, Liam, Dylan, Mat and Charlie.
A funeral will be held Sunday at J. Scott Early Funeral Home at 21 James St. in Milton, followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial at the Holy Rosary Church and interment at Toronto's York Cemetery Monday.
In lieu of flowers, mourners may donate to the Star Fresh Air Fund. Online condolences may be left at www.earlyfuneralhome.com.
Pat McNenly, 86: Star reporter always got 'the goods'
Feb 21, 2008 04:30 AM
When a journalist's name still comes up fondly in conversations long after his retirement, one can imagine how much influence he had during his tenure at the newspaper.
Former Star reporter Pat McNenly was such a legendary journalist. He died yesterday at Oakville-Trafalgar hospital at the age of 86.
"Throughout his career, he was a thoroughly professional journalist in every sense of the word: he was dogged, he was accurate, he was productive and he certainly knew both how to cultivate sources and still get the goods from them for, most often, a front-page story," said former Star Managing Editor Mary Deanne Shears.
"He was the go-to man, especially on Sundays, when we wanted an exclusive for Monday's paper. He was a tenacious reporter who never failed to deliver."
A search of his work, from 1985 to 1988 alone, turns up scores of front-page stories on topics ranging from the free trade talks to Meech Lake constitutional accord negotiations and debates over Ontario's Sunday store closing law.
Born in Espanola, Ont., McNenly always aspired to become a journalist and started freelancing at the Sudbury Star as a teen. After returning from World War II with the R.A.F. 263 Typhoon Squadron, he attended the University of Western Ontario, where he met his future wife, Helen. After graduating with a journalism degree, McNenly joined the Toronto Star and launched his 40-year career with the paper until his retirement in 1989 at age 67.
"He was an old-style reporter, always worked his butt off," said veteran Star news editor Norris McDonald, who first met McNenly when he joined the paper in 1973.
McDonald said McNenly was a strong advocate for social justice, which was often the theme of his stories. Calling McNenly a "prolific writer" is an understatement, he said. "Pat was just a special reporter," noted McDonald. "He loved social policy stories. He felt strongly about those issues that were important to the Star."
One of the least known secrets about McNenly is probably the fact that he was a card-holding provincial Conservative Party member all his life, noted his son Patrick McNenly Jr.
"He was a person who knew so many things but was very shy and reserved," recalled his son, whose godfather was a former Conservative MPP. "He was always truthful and fair. His story was never one-sided."
Predeceased by his wife, McNenly leaves sons Hugh and Patrick, their spouses, Helen and Suzanne, and grandchildren Brennan, Evan, Heather, Liam, Dylan, Mat and Charlie.
A funeral will be held Sunday at J. Scott Early Funeral Home at 21 James St. in Milton, followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial at the Holy Rosary Church and interment at Toronto's York Cemetery Monday.
In lieu of flowers, mourners may donate to the Star Fresh Air Fund. Online condolences may be left at www.earlyfuneralhome.com.
Obituary for Patrick Joseph "Pat" McNenly
Pat McNenly, 86: Star reporter always got 'the goods'
Feb 21, 2008 04:30 AM
When a journalist's name still comes up fondly in conversations long after his retirement, one can imagine how much influence he had during his tenure at the newspaper.
Former Star reporter Pat McNenly was such a legendary journalist. He died yesterday at Oakville-Trafalgar hospital at the age of 86.
"Throughout his career, he was a thoroughly professional journalist in every sense of the word: he was dogged, he was accurate, he was productive and he certainly knew both how to cultivate sources and still get the goods from them for, most often, a front-page story," said former Star Managing Editor Mary Deanne Shears.
"He was the go-to man, especially on Sundays, when we wanted an exclusive for Monday's paper. He was a tenacious reporter who never failed to deliver."
A search of his work, from 1985 to 1988 alone, turns up scores of front-page stories on topics ranging from the free trade talks to Meech Lake constitutional accord negotiations and debates over Ontario's Sunday store closing law.
Born in Espanola, Ont., McNenly always aspired to become a journalist and started freelancing at the Sudbury Star as a teen. After returning from World War II with the R.A.F. 263 Typhoon Squadron, he attended the University of Western Ontario, where he met his future wife, Helen. After graduating with a journalism degree, McNenly joined the Toronto Star and launched his 40-year career with the paper until his retirement in 1989 at age 67.
"He was an old-style reporter, always worked his butt off," said veteran Star news editor Norris McDonald, who first met McNenly when he joined the paper in 1973.
McDonald said McNenly was a strong advocate for social justice, which was often the theme of his stories. Calling McNenly a "prolific writer" is an understatement, he said. "Pat was just a special reporter," noted McDonald. "He loved social policy stories. He felt strongly about those issues that were important to the Star."
One of the least known secrets about McNenly is probably the fact that he was a card-holding provincial Conservative Party member all his life, noted his son Patrick McNenly Jr.
"He was a person who knew so many things but was very shy and reserved," recalled his son, whose godfather was a former Conservative MPP. "He was always truthful and fair. His story was never one-sided."
Predeceased by his wife, McNenly leaves sons Hugh and Patrick, their spouses, Helen and Suzanne, and grandchildren Brennan, Evan, Heather, Liam, Dylan, Mat and Charlie.
A funeral will be held Sunday at J. Scott Early Funeral Home at 21 James St. in Milton, followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial at the Holy Rosary Church and interment at Toronto's York Cemetery Monday.
In lieu of flowers, mourners may donate to the Star Fresh Air Fund. Online condolences may be left at www.earlyfuneralhome.com.
Pat McNenly, 86: Star reporter always got 'the goods'
Feb 21, 2008 04:30 AM
When a journalist's name still comes up fondly in conversations long after his retirement, one can imagine how much influence he had during his tenure at the newspaper.
Former Star reporter Pat McNenly was such a legendary journalist. He died yesterday at Oakville-Trafalgar hospital at the age of 86.
"Throughout his career, he was a thoroughly professional journalist in every sense of the word: he was dogged, he was accurate, he was productive and he certainly knew both how to cultivate sources and still get the goods from them for, most often, a front-page story," said former Star Managing Editor Mary Deanne Shears.
"He was the go-to man, especially on Sundays, when we wanted an exclusive for Monday's paper. He was a tenacious reporter who never failed to deliver."
A search of his work, from 1985 to 1988 alone, turns up scores of front-page stories on topics ranging from the free trade talks to Meech Lake constitutional accord negotiations and debates over Ontario's Sunday store closing law.
Born in Espanola, Ont., McNenly always aspired to become a journalist and started freelancing at the Sudbury Star as a teen. After returning from World War II with the R.A.F. 263 Typhoon Squadron, he attended the University of Western Ontario, where he met his future wife, Helen. After graduating with a journalism degree, McNenly joined the Toronto Star and launched his 40-year career with the paper until his retirement in 1989 at age 67.
"He was an old-style reporter, always worked his butt off," said veteran Star news editor Norris McDonald, who first met McNenly when he joined the paper in 1973.
McDonald said McNenly was a strong advocate for social justice, which was often the theme of his stories. Calling McNenly a "prolific writer" is an understatement, he said. "Pat was just a special reporter," noted McDonald. "He loved social policy stories. He felt strongly about those issues that were important to the Star."
One of the least known secrets about McNenly is probably the fact that he was a card-holding provincial Conservative Party member all his life, noted his son Patrick McNenly Jr.
"He was a person who knew so many things but was very shy and reserved," recalled his son, whose godfather was a former Conservative MPP. "He was always truthful and fair. His story was never one-sided."
Predeceased by his wife, McNenly leaves sons Hugh and Patrick, their spouses, Helen and Suzanne, and grandchildren Brennan, Evan, Heather, Liam, Dylan, Mat and Charlie.
A funeral will be held Sunday at J. Scott Early Funeral Home at 21 James St. in Milton, followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial at the Holy Rosary Church and interment at Toronto's York Cemetery Monday.
In lieu of flowers, mourners may donate to the Star Fresh Air Fund. Online condolences may be left at www.earlyfuneralhome.com.
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