Canada 150 A local retrospective: Terry Fox dies, but his legacy continues on

On June 28, 1981, Terry Fox died.

At 18, Fox was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, or bone cancer, and had to have his leg amputated above the knee. While his own suffering got him into the hospital, he was inspired by the people in the wards around him to do something about it. In his case, it meant a run across Canada, starting in St. John’s Newfoundland in April 12, 1980. Calling his run the Marathon of Hope, Fox made it to Thunder Bay, Ontario before having to stop his run, due to cancer reaching his lungs. 

The June 30, 1981 edition of Yorkton This Week had this to say about Fox and his journey:

“Throughout this country, he will be remembered for his Marathon of Hope, for his magnificent project which raised more than $20 million for cancer research.

“There is no doubt that, in the years to come, his name will be repeated over and over again as an example of what one person can do against great odds.”

The piece went on to praise Fox for his selflessness, saying that it was clear he was not in it for glory since the ran began with little fanfare and had gone for days without much publicity for Fox, saying someone in it for the attention and praise would have stopped.

Fox’s life may have ended 36 years ago, but his run has been taken up by people across Canada, including Yorkton. In the years since his death, the run has raised over $650 million for cancer research.

Within the city of Yorkton, city council approved a new flag for the city, one that continues to fly in the park beside city hall to this day.

The flag, as well as a centennial symbol, were adopted in the lead up to Yorkton’s 100th anniversary in 1982. The flag was designed by YRHS student Dean Printz. He received $125 for his winning submission.

The centennial symbol, meanwhile, was designed by Shirley Huziak, and featured a sheaf of wheat and a millstone similar to the one at the monument on the site of the original townsite just north of the city. That logo used the city’s colours of gold and blue.

The city’s project for Canada’s centennial, the fountain in CPR Park, was filled in with dirt and had flowers planted in it. Problems with pumping as well as underwater lighting resulted in the fountain being dry for most years since its installation. It also had a propensity for collecting garbage, leading to complaints for citizens. 

Still, one citizen was not pleased to see the fountain get filled in, phoning Alderman Marv Wentzell to report the city crew filling the fountain in for performing an act of vandalism.

Finally, Cable TV was set to show up in Yorkton in the fall, and people were implored to sign up now for the new service. Four American channels were promised in addition to the two local channels that were broadcast over the air, as well as a local community channel, supplementary programming for time and weather and a reserved channel for education. This would run you $12.25 per month, plus $30 for a connection charge. People who signed up early were eligible for a colour TV draw.