Newfoundland poet and playwright Al Pittman died Sunday after a lengthy illness. He was 61.
Born in St. Leonard's, Placentia Bay, Mr. Pittman began writing and producing plays for his family, friends and neighbours when he was in Grade 7 at St. Bernard's Academy in Corner Brook, Nfld.
He continued to hone his literary prowess and eventually published his first book of poems, The Elusive Resurrection, in 1966.
Since then, Mr. Pittman had built an international reputation creating award-winning poetry, plays and scripts for radio and television over the past 40 years.
Among his many literary awards were the Arts Council's Lydia Campbell Award for Creative Writing in 1985, which he was the first to receive.
Mr. Pittman also taught English at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook for 23 years before retiring in 1998, when he was appointed writer-in-residence.
"He was a wonderful Newfoundland writer and an important Newfoundland writer who created marvellous works of literature in several genres," said Adrian Fowler, principal of Grenfell College.
"Not only was he an original voice and a very passionate spokesman for Newfoundland culture, he was also was a great mentor of other writers."
In 1973, Mr. Pittman co-founded the Newfoundland publishing house Breakwater Books, to help preserve Newfoundland and Labrador's literary heritage.
Mr. Pittman's career is about to crest a new height, said lifelong friend Clyde Rose of Breakwater Books. Mr. Pittman's work West Moon will tour of five venues in Ireland this fall and a new edition of his 1976 children's book Down By Jim Long's Stage has gone to press and will be released next week.
A private funeral is planned.