By Jim David
Jerry Lawrence, the ‘legend’ who contracted the dreaded polio at the age of 12, has accomplished more in his lifetime than most.
Born in Halifax as the Second World War was beginning, Jerry Lawrence would make more of an impact on his community than anyone would ever imagine. His career began as a guy who pushed the buttons in a radio control room at the age of 20. He went on to work at three Halifax radio stations and was elected as alderman and MLA holding a cabinet position in the government of Premier John Buchanan.
After politics and his radio career, Lawrence went on to own and run a number of successful business ventures.
Wayne Adams, also an MLA and a Liberal cabinet minister, and a former broadcaster with Jerry at both CJCH and CHNS, shared the photo below. Wayne noted, “if laughing is good for the heart and soul, then Jerry has healed thousands.”
Jerry as a young radio operator at CJCH Radio.
Jerry and Sheila, his wonderful spouse of 61 years, are parents of sons Michael, Peter and Patrick. All three grew up in the public eye. Jerry instilled in all three, his positivity, sense of community and business acumen.
Jerry Lawrence with wife Sheila and sons Michael, Peter and Patrick.
Over the years, Jerry has resided in both the City and County of Halifax, and now lives in Dartmouth where son Patrick and daughter-in-law Shelly keep a close watch on his Dad and Mom. Patrick, known as Patty, and family had an idea to bring together as many former co-workers of Jerry to celebrate his birthday on July 26.
Gathered with Jerry Lawrence for a group shot are Peter Spurway, Steve Murphy, Nancy Spurway, Cindy (Greer) MacLean, Clary Flemming, Frank Lowe, John Graham, Jim David, Wayne Harvey, Paul Kennedy and Duane Lowe
The real ‘Legend’ was his usual, jovial self and relished meeting the familiar faces he had worked with over some 40 years. Clary Flemming, Steve Murphy, Jim David, Paul Kennedy, Frank Lowe, Cindy (Greer) MacLean, Duane Lowe, Peter and Nancy Spurway and Wayne Harvey were among those present. There were regrets from former co-workers Wayne Adams, Bruce Stephen, Don Maybe, Lou LeBlanc, John Gold, Joe Hanratty, Gail Rice, Morrisey Dunn, Mike Cranston, George Jordan, Jeff Orr, Erica Munn, Ian Robinson, Merv Russell, Paul Meagher and Blaine Henshaw.
While Jerry was at CHNS, a popular feature of his early morning show was called ‘Hello Metro’. Jerry would script an outrageous scenario, disguise his voice and call an unsuspecting listener, businessperson or politician. The phone call would go on for several minutes before he would disclose who he was and await the reaction. There were many responses that were bleeped and some episodes never made the air. Hello Metro episodes were sold by the thousands on cassettes. Recently, the shows were re-aired by popular Seaside FM Radio in Eastern Passage.
Clary Flemming has many early “Jer-Ber Memories”. They grew up in the same westend Halifax neighbourhood. Clary tells me they reconnected as studio operators at CJCH radio in the late 1950s with the same hope of becoming on-air announcers. “Who cannot be simply amazed at his incredibly active life and extraordinary accomplishments. He is a role model for all living with a handicap,” says lifelong friend Flemming.
Jerry’s love of cars started after contracting polio in 1951. Acquiring his license in 1956, cars were his freedom.
His first car was a 1956 Ford
During the 1960s and ’70s, Jerry’s radio career afforded him the opportunity to announce at both stock car tracks and drag-ways in the region. This was also the time when he and Sheila were raising their young family of three boys, all of whom were in strollers when introduced to motorsports.
Patrick Lawrence, Jerry’s youngest son told me, “Dad’s circle of friends were all involved in cars, whether it was racing them, showing them or simply working on them. His life-long passion for classic and antique cars, race cars and pretty much anything that was gas or diesel powered, was passed along to me and my two brothers. Now all three of us have a deep appreciation for classics and stock cars”.
Patty at the Birthday BBQ
Many fans have followed Jerry’s thirty year radio career from 1964 until 1976 at CJCH. He then moved to Country 101 CHFX in 1976 but then returned part-time to CJCH. In 1985 he returned to Maritime Broadcasting Company as the morning host at CHNS finally retiring from broadcasting in 1995.
Pictured here at CHNS with Jerry are Al Hollingsworth, Daryl Good, Clive Schaefer and Cindy Greer (MacLean)
Jerry’s political career began in 1974, winning a seat as Alderman for the city of Halifax and in 1978 elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature in the government of John Buchanan. He was re-elected in 1981, 1984, and 1988 as PC MLA for Halifax-St. Margaret’s. On June 22, 1979, Jerry was appointed to cabinet as the Minister of Government Services. He served in the role until November 1985.
Jerry with the late Premier Buchanan
In government, Jerry was instrumental in getting the government to support handicapped parking and making the city and province more handicapped friendly. Under his portfolio, an elevator was installed in Province House making the Legislature accessible for the first time.
There have been many honours, acknowledging and thanking him, including but not limited to being admitted to the Canadian Broadcasting Hall of Fame, the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame, and the International Firefighters Union. He had a provincial park named after him, is an honorary member of many sporting and car clubs.
He was founder of the original IWK 250 stock car race at Riverside Speedway in Antigonish, a race that has contributed over $500,000 to the Children’s Hospital since its inception.
Jerry Lawrence Park at Lewis Lake
One of the most prestigious honours for Jerry was being awarded the Order of Canada in 2022.
A logical way to sum up is as Steve Murphy shares, “Jer-Ber is a treasured radio legend but his record of community service is even more noteworthy. In politics and more importantly, as a supporter of good causes, volunteering his time and talent for charities and fundraisers, his contributions are enormous. He’s made Nova Scotia an even better place”.
Steve Murphy & Jer-Ber
Happy 85th Birthday Jer Ber
