Ben Kerr: A Toronto Legend Passes Away

Ben was an incredible man.

I had the honour of talking at length with him one evening a few years back. I told him about my bands show that evening at The Vox(used to be young and Dundonald, now a body building supply place), and he actually showed. We spoke more about his life, and he autographed a copy of his book "The Cayenne Pepper Cocktail Does It All".

He used to be harbour master(or a president or VP of the Harbourfront commision? I haven't read the book in awhile, so I might be a little off here). He was a staunch anti-smoker and was at the vangaurd of the movement to ban smoking in the offices of Toronto. He ran across the US wearing a gas mask to get publicity for his cause(and to promote a country song that he wrote, "Boots keep on Walking"). He was an accomplished songwriter.

You MUST get a copy of his book. It's a light read, but fascinating, if only for the fact that it reminds you that there is much more to people than what meets the eye. He will certainly be missed.

Goodbye Ben. May your "Boots Keep On Walking".

I was in the RCAF with Ben in the early 1960's. This was at Whitehorse, YT.

I often where he got to. Very sad to hear of his passing.

I am Ben's granddaughter. Ben was a lot of things to a lot of people, a good friend, a savior, a song writer, a hero, but to me he was so much more. To me he was a grandfather one of the few links i had to my fathers family and one of the most important people in my life. Now Ben is a great grandfather and his legacy continues so while people talk about him and all the wonderful things he has done in his life, he is still with me in the two granddaughters he left behind Shiann Kerr (last name Kerr in honor of his last wish) and Makayla Robinson. We had a long conversation the day he died but all he said to me was talk to you later and I would just like to say the daughter i was pregnant with the day you died does have your last name and we all miss you so very much. I would like to thank the music station that got me in touch with him on the day he died it meant so very much.

A few years before Mr. Kerr passed away, one of the announcers at CFRB brought him over for an interview. The radio guy imagined a fluff, funny kind of talk but was amazed how Ben was well spoken, articulate and the fact he traveled in the states in the winter months. It put the announcer in a sobering position as he was surprised that Mr. Kerr deemed so much respect.

I personally spent time listening to him at Yonge & Bloor and while dropping change for him, I always said "thank you." He seemed to enjoy that.

I'm sure he's singing his tunes to the angels. God bless.

PS: I always voted for him. I've never been impressed of mainstream media and their 'chosen few.' Imagine if Ben had become mayor!

I started a health regime today and one of the things I did was mix up a jug of water and cayenne with a splash of grapefruit juice. It really helps to keep you going when you are trying to avoid other things. It made me remember Ben and so I googled and found this wonderful memorial.

I sat beside Ben at a straycats Christmas dinner in '84. I was gobsmacked watching him shovel in tablespoon after tablespoon of cayenne in to his glass of lemon water. He was kind and funny and I sensed I was in the presence of a living legend.

Love you Ben