[johnfowles]

OK I found it I searched for "Shea minstrel" on the Globe and Mail website and up popped just one result it was enough
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/inco...rticle4221410/
and as recommended by the Moderator person I hve extracted the full text and as it is in easily copyable form on the web pagehere is the text for posterity
Colleen Elltoft writes about her father, Red Shea, whose obituary appeared June 12.
As a young girl, I often remember picking my dad up from Terminal 1 at Toronto's airport. He had such a hectic touring schedule, he would always take mybrothers and I on "dates." My fondest "date" memories were having picnics together, hanging out by the local pond learning to skip stones and, of course, the time he took me to the 54th floor of the TD tower to drink a Shirley Temple while he enjoyed "something on the rocks." We would talk about anything that interested me, for it was my day. There wasn't one thing I couldn't discuss with him, even girl problems that other daughters would not dare discuss with their fathers.
As the years passed, my father became ill, only to nurse himself back to be a stronger, healthier, happier person. Red was fiercely independent, having left home in Prince Albert, Sask., with his older brother, Les, to start the Red and Les Trio. My father was never one for structured lifestyle; the entertainment business suited him. He also was not one to do things by half measures. I am told that he would lock himself up in a room for hours on end to play his guitar. His talent was not overlooked and eventually he played with Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon wrote a song Minstrel of the Dawn that was inspired by Red. I believe it captured the playful life that my father possessed. He loved telling jokes and had a new one every day, many questionable, but worth the wait for a good one. In his obituary in The Globe, a photo of Les was confused with that of Red. It would have been his last laugh, for sure.
Our life changed in 1985 when he was struck by a truck while out jogging. He fought back valiantly and it took him two years to overcome his injuries, but he was not the same as before. He managed to return to his position as band leader and "jokester" on the Tommy Hunter Show and to teach others what he loved - the guitar.
Dad continued to teach up until April, but was feeling very tired. He suffered from sharp pains and began to lose weight. We were fearful of the worst and, after more tests, a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was delivered. Red fought hard and with all he had left, believing until his last days that he would join the 10 per cent who survive.