The province has lost one of its jewels of journalism far too soon.

Ted Warren died peacefully on Wednesday at the Salvation Army’s Glenbrook Lodge in St. John’s.

He was just 66.

Known for his thoughtful musings, deadpan humour and encyclopedic memory, Warren began his career with Q-93/CJYQ and CBC before moving into print journalism in the 1980s.

The diminutive hippie journalist with the dark, prescription shades worked as an editor with the former Daily News, as well as East Coast Offshore Magazine, The Sunday Telegram and The Navigator.

But for the past couple of decades Warren’s long, purposeful gait slowed with the onset and progression of multiple sclerosis. Undeterred, in 2006 he spent more than 100 days riding his bike from St. John’s to Vancouver to raise awareness of the disease.

He would continue to speak at MS-related events, and served as chair of the St. John’s-Mount Pearl chapter of the MS Society, lobbying hard for access to treatments and other assistance for those afflicted with the disease.

That cause, and others, later prompted him to seek elected office, running for both the NDP and the Green Party.

Warren’s obituary notes: “Ted would probably have suggested those remembering him take the opportunity to advocate for the needs of those disadvantaged in a challenging world, to support research into the causes and cure of MS. He might also suggest for us to go out of our way to do something to help a member of our community in need.”

The wake is set for Sunday at Barrett’s Funeral Home in St. John’s with the funeral to be held in the chapel on Monday at 11 a.m.