The couple is said to have split sometime before he was diagnosed with cancer last year. Several outlets reported, Laura Leigh and Gord had been separated for a while.

The Huffington Post notes, her battle had a major influence on the band’s 12th studio album “Now for Plan A,” featuring the song “The Lookahead.”

Gord revealed during an interview to George Stroumboulopoulos in late 2012 that his wife was once diagnosed with breast cancer. Laura Leigh Usher also had her own battle with cancer. The couple is known to keep their personal life out of the public eye. He knew the death of Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie was coming, as the singer-songwriter and. He is survived by his wife, Laura Leigh Usher and their four children. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a teary press conference on Wednesday morning. Earlier this year, he was appointed to the Order of Canada for his work with First Nations people. The tour culminated in a final show in Kingston, Ontario, the band’s hometown, that was broadcast live across the country. For almost five decades, Gord Downie uncovered and told the stories of Canada, Trudeau wrote in an. Shortly after Downie announced his cancer diagnosis last year, the band went on a sold-out nationwide summer tour, which helped raise C$1m ($800,000 £600,000) for brain cancer research. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is fondly remembering the late, great Gord Downie. Gord had been diagnosed with an incurable glioblastoma in May 2016. In the final year of his life, he released a solo album and graphic novel titled The Secret Path, inspired by the true story of an indigenous boy who died while trying to escape a residential school.

Their first studio album, Up to Here, arrived in 1989. weren’t as popular.ĭownie was a founding member of the Tragically Hip, which he formed in 1984 with Gord Sinclair and Rob Baker. Aside from his work with the band, Gord also released several solo albums.īorn, Gordon Edgar Downie on Februthe Ontario native and his band became giants in the Canadian music industry though in the U.S. Justin Trudeau: Canada ‘less as a country without Gord Downie’ 7,053 views Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an emotional statement on the passing of his buddy Gord Wednesday. “Gord did not rest from working for the issues he cared about, and his commitment and passion will continue to motivate Canadians for years to come.Downie, best known as the lead singer of legendary Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip, was also a writer and occasional actor. “For his work raising awareness of Indigenous issues, he was inducted as a member of the Order of Canada in 2017.” “Before passing, he shined his light on the story of 12-year-old Chanie Wenjack who died from hunger and exposure after trying to find his way home from a residential school,” he continued. “In the wake of his diagnosis, Gord only fought harder for what he believed in: social justice, environmentalism, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples,” the P.M. Trudeau, 45, also noted the bevy of advocacy work Downie did following his diagnosis. Our identity and culture are richer because of his music, which was always raw and honest – like Gord himself.” When he spoke, he gave us goosebumps and made us proud to be Canadian. “He painted landscapes with his words, elevating Canadian geography, historical figures, and myths. “Gord’s command of language was profound,” Trudeau continued.

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