There’s a long shadow over the province today with the sudden death of a man who was a walking encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador history.
Larry Dohey was giving an address to a group of people from Ireland in Placentia Monday night when he fell ill. He died early this morning.
Dohey was co-host of Archival Moments on VOCM along with Brian O’Connell. He could call up a wealth of information on virtually any topic from our past. He was chief archivist at The Rooms, and helped build the facility into the wealth of historical information that it has become.
@LarryDohey was a good friend and a great promoter of all things Newfoundland and Labrador. It was an honour to have produced the Archival Moments program for VOCM with Larry. He put faces and names to our shared history. I will miss him. My condolences to Ian and the family.
— Brian O’Connell (@ocathome) August 28, 2019
“He was a real patriot, a real Newfoundlander” said O’Connell, who also considered Dohey a close friend. Many across the province took to social media to praise and remember him.
Eamon Murphy was one of about 60 people from Ireland at the Placentia gathering Monday night. He told VOCM Morning Show co-host Fred Hutton that Dohey was doing something at the time which he loved doing.
Murphy says Larry was enjoying himself Monday night giving his talk, he died doing what he loved most, and that’s the only positive thing they can take from what happened.
Funeral Arrangements Announced
Larry Dohey will be resting at Caul’s Funeral Home on LeMarchant Road on Saturday and Sunday.
His funeral will be held Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist.
View the obituary at this link.
Larry Dohey will meet St Peter. St Peter will say come in. And Larry will say, “before I do – would you like to hear an interesting story about that gate?” Here’s a story with some links to Larry’s wonderful Archival Moments show. Give a listen. RIP Larry Dohey https://t.co/Dz9xhEvuC7
— Mark Critch (@markcritch) August 28, 2019
What a huge loss. Could anyone love the province and its history more? Archival Moments on VOCM was a treasure. RIP Mr. Dohey. https://t.co/BX9x80qAsn
— Rick Mercer (@rickmercer) August 28, 2019
What a loss for our Province. So sad to hear of the passing of the most knowledgeable and passionate man. RIP Larry. https://t.co/359agUIe5m
— Alan Doyle (@alanthomasdoyle) August 28, 2019
This is shocking news. Since I first began conducting historical research as a graduate student, Larry has given me support and advice at every stage of my career. He was also a great supporter of the Irish-Newfoundland connection. Deepest condolences to Ian and Larry’s family. https://t.co/FziI1NOLh9
— Patrick Mannion (@Pat_Mannion) August 28, 2019
Larry Dohey, was a true champion of our province. He loved sharing tidbits of the past, the stories & turning them into experiences at @TheRooms_NL. From all of us @TCII_GovNL we send our deepest condolences to his family and many friends. He left his mark https://t.co/gcoCZLijcX
— Chris Mitchelmore (@MitchelmoreNL) August 28, 2019
So deeply saddened to hear the news of Larry’s sudden passing. This friend was a wealth of historical knowledge of NL tradition, Irish culture and is a huge loss to @CityofStJohns @TheRooms_NL and our province. My condolences to his family and loved ones #RIP #CapeShore https://t.co/aQSDNAcqs4
— Sheilagh O’Leary (@Sheilagholeary) August 28, 2019
Dohey grew up in St. Bride’s. He began tracking the history of Newfoundland and Labrador early in his life and helped build The Rooms into a treasure trove of information and history.
Today @590VOCM on Archival Moments with @LarryDohey @ocathome from @TheRooms_NL we are talking about place names? Did you know that St. Bride’s was once known as Distress? pic.twitter.com/hJMR3jvVJL
— Larry Dohey (@LarryDohey) August 24, 2019
“He was able to put faces and names to stories that were so important to this province” said O’Connell. “He made connections with the human side of stories, they weren’t just footnotes”.
Brian O’Connell is devastated by the loss of his friend. He says Archival Moments was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding radio programs he has been involved in.
His passing is great loss to entire province. Has cast a dark shadow over all of us at VOCM. https://t.co/c9t1iHcHab
— Brian Madore (@bmadorevocm) August 28, 2019
I am in shock that @LarryDohey has died. I based my character Larry Morgan in Operation Vanished on him & he was delighted. This is such a big loss. I am heart broken. pic.twitter.com/H3JmPpAM2U
— Helen Escott (@hescott) August 28, 2019
We are saddened by the passing of Larry Dohey – a true gentleman & incomparable expert on NL history & culture. Our condolences to his family, & his many friends & colleagues at @TheRooms_NL, @590VOCM, @VOCMNEWS & @VictoriaParkNL1. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us, Larry https://t.co/lumUCrOBAV
— Lantern Festival (@lanternfestca) August 28, 2019
Dohey died doing what he loved. He became very ill Monday night while giving a presentation to a group in Placentia.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
View Archival Moments’ website at this link.
Listen to episodes of Archival Moments with Larry Dohey at this link, or in the playlist below.
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