'Legendary,' prolific N.L. author Earl Pilgrim dies at 86
A former forest ranger and boxing champion, Pilgrim was one of the province's most celebrated authors
Prolific and influential N.L. author Earl Pilgrim, has died.
A retired forest ranger, wildlife protection officer and champion boxer, Pilgrim came to prominence as the author of over 15 books, many of them novels exploring Newfoundland and Labrador history and culture.
Pilgrim's niece Karla Pilgrim, made a post on social media sharing the news of her uncle's passing Friday evening.
"Yesterday, our family lost a pillar of a man," wrote Karla Pilgrim. "You'll never be forgotten, Uncle Earl. You've left such a legacy in your writing and story-telling."
Pilgrim published a number of books under Flanker Press, including notable titles Curse of the Red Cross Ring, Will Anyone Search for Danny? and the Ghost of Ellen Dower.
Flanker Press co-founder and the editor of many of Pilgrim's books, Jerry Cranford, said he was shocked and saddened to hear about his passing.
"At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, the man was a legend," said Cranford.
Cranford spoke highly of Pilgrim's character, saying he was larger than life, a very talented storyteller and that he will be remembered fondly.
"Earl just had that universal touch with his storytelling and it will live on in, in legend. I believe that he was … simply unforgettable," said Cranford.
A 'literary giant'
Pilgrim was born in St. Anthony in 1939, and later studied forestry at the College of Trades and Technology in St. John's, according to Pilgrim's bio on the Flanker Press website.
Before becoming a writer, he spent his early life as an infantry man in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1960, and eventually joined the sport of boxing.
Pilgrim was a star boxer and eventually became the Canadian Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion.
After leaving the military, he became a forest ranger with the province's forestry department. He worked as a forest warden for nine years and became a wildlife protection officer.
He had four children with his wife Beatrice Compton and settled in Roddickton, N.L.
Flanker published six of Pilgrim's books in the late nineties and early 2000s, just as the press was getting started said Cranford.
Cranford said his father had heard of Pilgrim's books and asked him if he would like to bring them back into print and republish them under Flanker Press.
"It was a thrill for me to to meet Mr. Pilgrim and and to to enjoy his stories," said Cranford. "He was just an incredible storyteller."
Cranford says Pilgrim's death will be felt across the province.
"He was a pillar in the province, a literary giant," said Cranford.
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