by Joy Metcalfe
(click images to enlarge)

A LOCAL ENERGIZER BUNNY …

It's time. The glorious summer of 2026 is over. We've been tanned, energized, and relaxed with some of the best July and August sunshine, warming up the winter's coolness and bringing those adored floral offerings into our lives. Colourful lilacs, geraniums, roses, and chrysanthemums in our gardens, blooming and brightening our days, the sight of which, at times, can lift the spirits of the saddest soul.

**Roger Sauvain at 90.** *(Hilary angus / north shore news photo original story* *here*)

The one essential thing about sunshine is that it gives us a chance to get out, look about, and just breathe the fresh air around us.

That is something that Roger Sauvain knows all about.

When Roger worked in Room Service at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver's Coal Harbour, he would walk to and from work every single day, rain or shine, from his home in West Van.

"Seventeen years, day and night," he said. "The police and patrollers stopped me many times and asked me what I was doing on Lions Gate bridge at 1:30 in the morning."

It's a wonder that they didn't walk him off. But I'm sure that he became such a sight, whether in the pouring rain or drifting snow, they figured he knew what he was doing.

As Roger approached retirement, one of his colleagues, who volunteered on Grouse Mountain, suggested that he might enjoy the Grouse Grind as a replacement for his daily walks to work. Roger, always up for a challenge, replied, "I like mountains!" So he gave it a try.

Thus began an obsession with the North Shore's most infamous hike - the Grouse Grind. Roger estimates he has completed the Grind more than 10,000 times in the past 30 years. Some days he would do the grind three or four times a week and often, two or three times a day.

I became exhausted just reading about his running adventures!

Roger's boss at the Westin Bayshore was Denis Forristal, who had more than 500 employees but knew Roger because he received so many guests' compliments from those people who used Guest Room Dining. Roger was always so enthusiastic about his job, everything on the tray or table would be perfect and his cheerful personality when he arrived at the guests' door, combined with his beautiful French accent, was simply captivating.

This past September 17 Roger celebrated his 90th birthday by completing the Grind in one hour and 18 minutes.

Grouse Mountain's website says that the 2.5 kilometre hike, covering 800 metres of elevation, takes an average of 2 to 2.5 hours to complete. Wow!

Roger, at 90, you are simply amazing!...

FAREWELL TO A SPORTS WORLD ICON

Very busy time at the Arbutus Club last week for the late John McKeachie's Celebration of Life, which was emceed by his younger brother Bob, who was incredible with his strong delivery and added some good natured wit at just the right time.

John's wife, Sandi, his sisters, three daughters, and grandchildren were all present.

The Arbutus Club room that was set aside for the gathering handled an estimated 300 to 350 people from all walks of life.

There were former co-workers at BCTV, sports colleagues and competitors, hockey players from his years of playing old-timer games at the club, and a multitude of friends and admirers. The room was absolutely packed.

Former TV producers Larry Isaac and Ross Sullivan spoke from the podium while Bob McKeachie had arranged a classic video featuring numerous friends and admirers from both inside and outside of the media industry.

The guests included Mark Madryga, Bernie Pascall, Dee and Greg (Dr. Sport) Douglas, Belle Puri, Brook Ward, Wayne Cox, Pamela Martin, Mike Hall, long time cameraman Trevor Henderson, Don Taylor, longtime assignment editor Chester Grant, and many, many others. There were hotel owners, lawyers, sporting goods sales reps, folks from all walks of life, everyone caring about good guy John and his family...

AT AN EARLIER EVENT …

In case you missed it in last month month's story, it would have worked perfectly to have used it. So here it is. I knew McKeach, just like everybody, but I didn't realize how strong he was. It was at one of the larger cocktail parties that I was covering when he spotted me. "Joy," he exclaimed, "Just the person I was looking for! Come on over here.

I want you to meet someone very special."

With that, he suddenly swept me off my feet, yelled to the famous world wrestler, Gene Kiniski, and threw me to him! Not sure who was the most shocked, me or Kiniski.

Thank goodness, I recalled that Gene always had a great reaction time as I physically flew through the air. At 5’1”, I was really angry and would have slapped John silly if there was any chance that I could have reached him, the grinning goofus ...

REMEMBERING HUGH PICKETT …

Another gentleman of wide acclaim for his world of entertainment was my very good friend and frequent escort, Hugh Pickett.

**joy and hugh pickett enjoying a quiet lunch, no doubt somewhere elegant!**

Hugh was born in Vancouver in 1913 and fell in love with show business as a teen working part time at the Orpheum Theatre as an usher. He helped to organize celebrities' trips to overseas military bases during World War II, and in the years that followed, connected with New York's top agent, Sol Hurok, who further steeped him into the world of entertainment.

In 1946, Hugh became the press agent for Theatre Under the Stars, an organization he worked with for decades to follow. Around that same time, Hugh also established a link with Sir John Gielgud, who introduced him to Marlene Dietrich. Hugh was ecstatic. She was his favourite movie star. Dietrich enjoyed Pickett so much that she hired him to be her personal business manager, a position he held for 12 years.

Pickett also co-founded the booking agency "Famous Artists" with Holly Maxwell and was responsible for bringing entertainment's biggest stars to Vancouver for more than six decades.

Some of Pickett's closest friends in the industry were Marlene, Mitzi Gaynor, Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Katherine Hepburn, Rosemary Clooney, Liberace, and Ginger Rogers. He also hosted Elvis Presley in Vancouver in 1957 in a concert that was cut short after fans breached security and overran the stage.

A similar event happened in 1972 when Mr. P. presented the Rolling Stones at the Pacific Coliseum, a show which saw hundreds of fans rioting outside the gates, screaming and yelling, with several of Vancouver's finest trying to keep the mob dispersed and under control. Poor Hugh! It was so disappointing and discouraging.

I think it was at that point he decided to drop loud, noisy, and obnoxious rock and rollers and returned once again to promoting the really good stuff. Like Ginger and Mitzi...

In the 70's Hugh led the charge to save the Orpheum Theatre from demolition. As part of their grateful thanks, the city of Vancouver hosted his 80th birthday in the theatre with a crush crowd attending. Hugh was also instrumental with the establishment of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame in 1992.

Hugh's career lasted the entirety of the 20th century and into the 21st.

This very handsome fellow passed away at 92 years old on February 13, 2005 and is survived by his partner of three decades, Gordon Boyd. I am personally grateful that Gordon took such good care of Mr. P. I was so lucky to have Hugh as a friend and as an escort whenever needed.

And he always looked so swish!!

ANOTHER FOND FAREWELL

Peter Legge, loving husband, father, and grandfather and very successful businessman, passed away on September 29. He was 84.

I met Peter years ago one night when he was doing his one-man show at the Cave when he told me that he and his family had just arrived from England and needed a bit of advice re Vancouver and show biz. I gave him a few names and hints and he took it from there - did he ever!

His business career couldn't have been more interesting or more diversified. I always wanted to sit down with Peter and have a serious chit chat but neither of us had the time.

Peter's funeral will be Friday, November 6th at 1:30 p.m. at the Calvary Church in Surrey. My deepest condolences to his loving wife and daughters. I know it will be a very large turnout of his multitude of friends. Get there early!

TO WINE AND DINE …

Today I have an excellent suggestion for a superb dinner in the downtown core.

I hadn't been there for some time and my daughter, Megan, who was celebrating her birthday, had never been there. The restaurant in question was Joe Fortes on Thurlow, and it was such a super evening!

Tell you all about it next month ...

MY MISTAKE …

Before I go, I must correct a couple of errors.

The late Mel Zajac is not buried at his beloved Zajac Ranch, and he didn't receive the last rites from Father Comey, though he was in Mel's hospital room when he died. Mel received the last rites of the Catholic Church from the official priest at St. Paul's Hospital, Father Fernandes. The family is now searching for a new larger plot for Mel, his wife, Irene, and Mel Jr. and Marty, his two athletic sons who died in sporting accidents eight months apart.