By : Fred Langan.

John Griffin, who has died at the age of 76, was a long-time writer for Tempo. He specialised in cultural issues and the arts, and he wrote with a bright almost cheeky style that was always both entertaining and informative.

Career at the Montreal Gazette

For many years John brought that writing style to readers of the Montreal Gazette. He was the rock critic for the Gazette and also reviewed movies and television. His speciality was the short article that he could turn out flawlessly and in a hurry. If a rock concert finished at 10:30 or 11 p.m., John would have the article ready for the deadline of the next morning’s paper.

“John was a star. He was clever, funny and witty in real life and in print,” said Jack Walker of West Bolton, who was one of John’s closest friends for more than 60 years. “He was totally loyal to his friends and never had a bad word to say about anyone.”

Early Life and Education

John Griffin was born in Montreal. His mother Dorothy was a real estate agent and his father Jack a business executive. The family transferred to England for a several years and John went to a school there. He remained an anglophile all his life.

Back in Canada John went to Bishop’s University, where he later taught a journalism course. He started at the Gazette in 1987, and became the film critic and writer for 23 years. He was thoroughly involved in the entertainment culture of the city. One of his gifts was he could turn out several engaging movie and television reviews for the Saturday paper.

Later Years and Legacy

When John retired from the Gazette in 2010, he moved to his house in West Bolton full time and worked as a freelance writer for the Gazette and other publications.

John Griffin was born on February 28, 1950. He died at home on March 21. He is survived by his three sisters, Cathy MacIntyre of Knowlton, Mary Griffin and Jane Dickson as well as an extended family of nieces and nephews.