Michel Prévost
In 1958, the University of Ottawa created the Public Relations Department, today the Communications Office. Gérard William (Bill) Boss, one of the best known journalists in English Canada was its first director. Under his impetus and over the 25 years before his retirement in 1982, the office expanded tremendously. In 1966, Bill Boss founded the University of Ottawa’s Gazette. While modest at its beginnings, this monthly publication grew in scope. Bill Boss passed away in Ottawa on October 17 at the age of 90; he held a bachelor’s degree from the University of Ottawa.
G. W. Boss was born in Kingston, Ontario, in 1917. In 1932, he began his long career as a journalist at the Ottawa Citizen. In 1936, he became a correspondent for the London Times in London, Paris and Berlin. During the Second World War, he joined the Canadian army as a correspondent. He accompanied the Allies during their entry into Berlin and witnessed the fall of Nazi Germany.
After 1945, he covered Europe and the Far East for Canadian Press, focusing in particular on Korea. When he left Canadian Press, he was considered the Canadian journalist who had travelled most around the world. In 1998, he was inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame for his remarkable career in journalism.
Lorène Kayser, editor of publications under Bill Boss from 1979 to 1982, remembers a man who gave freely of his time to support the University’s mission. She remembers his strong attachment to the values of our institution. Kayser, who remained in close contact with Bill Boss after his retirement, has lost an old friend. So has the University of Ottawa.
