Condolence From: Melanie Levenson (nee Pottins)
Condolence: It is with great shock and sadness that I learn of John's passing this year. I was part of his gang of galumphs who hung around together (waving hi to Heather, Sandra and Helen, among others) since journalism school, and I remember with fondness that wonderful time in my life. I remember visiting John and Heather at their wonderful home way way out west during Christmas time and the amazing trip to visit John and Heather in Washington, DC. I only have cherished memories of those times and have often thought of John and company over the years. Occasionally I tried to reconnect, but it never happened. And now here we are. Time passes, and we must move on. I will always think of those times and my friends and the growing we all did until life took us in separate directions. I still have a tape of cherished music John put together for me and I will never not think of him when I play Dexy's Midnight Runners. Remembering Vicious Trivial Pursuit and what fun, competitive and hilarious times we had. Goodbye John. You are gone but not forgotten.
Tuesday December 04, 2018
Condolence From: Alex Gregory
Condolence: John was a good friend, a great co-worker and true mentor.
Working with him at Peel Daily News, I was able to benefit from his wealth of knowledge about current issues, his leadership in terms of delegating work and writing responsibilities, and a crash course in no-nonsense journalism. I miss the times where he would playfully rib me for being in the millennial generation, or his wise words about the current state of journalism and always getting the facts right.
Two weeks ago, he sent me an email encouraging me to keep up the great work after a particularly-well stocked edition of the paper, and four days ago, he was letting Marc and I know how excited he was to get back to work. Now here I am, struggling to make sense of this loss.
One of my co-workers told me today that I was the last person who benefited from John's guidance, and he might have been right. John was a titan in the world of journalism, and I miss his friendship and presence in the newsroom.
My condolences to Heather, Deanna and Kara. His absence is deeply felt.
Saturday February 10, 2018
Condolence From: Carla
Condolence: Our sincerest condolences to the Valorzi family. We have fond memories of our childhood, Westview and Food City. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
RIP John. "Friend of the family" Carla (Martini) Marchetti & Family
Saturday February 10, 2018
Condolence From: Helen Maj and Kim Nystrom
Condolence: Our deepest condolences to the Valorzi family during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My memories of John are the times spent with a gang of friends, having great fun when he wasn't working. These get-togethers were memorable because there was so much silliness and laughter. There was singing, dancing and John playing his guitar. These are the special times that I will never forget, especially John's infectious laughter. John will play on, in all of our hearts. Helen
Friday February 09, 2018
Condolence From: Jim Coyle
Condolence: I meet John at journalism school at Ryerson in 1976. He was tall, dark and handsome, plainly smart and better read than most of us. He would play any sport there was, and make up for lack of talent with unending hustle and competitive spirit. We worked together at CP, most closely at Queen's Park during the Liberal government of the '80s. John owned that beat, loved whipping the big egos from the Star or Globe. John never lost his zeal for the front page, and getting things first. He could manifest, oh, let's say a certain old-school male chauvinism, but he would teasingly insult both men and women and say such outrageous thing to either sex that he usually got away with it. In those days, CP was the only media shop that operated at the run-and-gun pace that everone does today. If CP was the hardest-working outlet in the country (and it was), and if John was the hardest-working journo at CP, I suppose that made him the hardest-working reporter in Canada. I've never heard anyone dispute that proposition. He made a difference. He shared his talents. He is gone too young. Rest easy, friend. Jim Coyle.
Friday February 09, 2018
Condolence From: Sunny Freeman
Condolence: I am the current business editor at The Canadian Press. In a strange turn of events, I was tasked with presiding over the obit for John Valorzi, the indomitable force who was the Canadian Press business editor when I first stepped into the world of business reporting. He threw me in head first, pulled me into his "crying room" for lessons I'd never forget and never relented on his high standards for me. As I said in this obit, he left an indelible mark on me and so many other Canadian journalists. I wish I he knew how much he contributed to where I sit now, in the position he held for so long. His legacy lives on in so many of us. Here is a link to the obit from his peers:
http://www.metronews.ca/business/2018/02/08/hard-boiled-big-hearted-cp-journalist-john-valorzi-dead-at-65.html
Friday February 09, 2018
Condolence From: Rita DeMontis
Condolence:
Profound condolences to the family of John Valorzi. I went to Westview Centennial SS high school with John, back in the early 1970s. He was a few years ahead of me, and my memory of John is of a dynamic young man with a brilliant smile, always involved in school events, including the student council. He was amazing, injecting everything with a sense of joy and adventure, and galvanizing everyone around him. I followed his career in journalism and his dedication to his work. He was one of a kind. RIP, John, it was an honour to have known you.
Thursday February 08, 2018
Condolence From: June McKay
Condolence: I am sorry to hear of the passing of John. He was a good friend during our time in Washington. He and his family made our stay there more enjoyable. I will always remember our visits to their yellow house - John playing Beatle tunes on his guitar and all his guests singing along. God speed John, you were one of a kind.
Thursday February 08, 2018
Condolence From: John McKay
Condolence: RIP old colleague and friend. And I do mean rest, something you never did in a stellar journalism career.
Thursday February 08, 2018
Condolence From: Wojtek Dabrowski
Condolence: John was a powerful influence and a caring mentor during my early journalism career at The Canadian Press. I was all of 20 years old back then and full of questions that John always took time to answer. He inspired the team to push harder, write more clearly and explain issues plainly to our readers. We haven’t spoken in a number of years but I am saddened to hear of his passing, and would like to give John’s family my sincerest condolences at this difficult time.
Wednesday February 07, 2018
