Veteran producer Paul Pope is being remembered as a vital part of Newfoundland and Labrador’s film and TV industry, who showed a fierce devotion to the screen community both in the province and nation-wide.

Tributes are pouring in from many corners of Canada — from screen circles to the political world and beyond — for the St. John’s-based president of Pope Productions who died last week. Shaftesbury, who worked with Pope on series including the Citytv hit Hudson & Rex, says he died suddenly on Thursday (April 14) morning at the age of 63.

“The news is truly shocking,” said Christina Jennings, chairman and president of Shaftesbury, in a statement. “Canada has lost an amazing producer, a force in Newfoundland. Paul has been Shaftesbury’s partner on seven shows for over 15 years. Most recently, we teamed up on Hudson & Rex. Paul was a wonderful man. A spirited human. He loved life and knew how to live it. Paul will be sorely missed by his wife, Lisa, his two sons and all of us here at Shaftesbury.”

Pope produced or worked on a slew of films, including the Adriana Maggs-directed Grown Up Movie Star, which scored a Special Jury Prize at Sundance for Tatiana Maslany, and the Sturla Gunnarsson-directed Rare Birds, which starred the late William Hurt and Molly Parker. His TV series credits as a producer also included Life with Derek, Drunk and on Drugs: The Happy Funtime Hour and the historical dramatic miniseries Above and Beyond.

Pope Productions’ other recent TV projects include Departure season three for Global. Its features and MOWs include the CBC comedy A Christmas Fury, Hunting Pignut and Beat Down. Documentaries include Heavy Weather Presents, the multi award winning My Left Breast, Legends and Lore of the North Atlantic, and Going the Distance.

As founding member of the Newfoundland Filmmakers Cooperative (NIFCO), where he served as president for over 20 years, Pope was also a champion for the development of the local independent production industry and Canadian stories. He also served as a mentor to many in the industry and played a pivotal role in the creation of the Film and Media Production Centre at the College of the North Atlantic (CNA).

“I, along with every other Newfoundlander who plies their trade in film and television, owe a huge debt to Paul Pope,” tweeted political satirist Rick Mercer of CBC’s Rick Mercer Report. “He gave me numerous breaks, advice and hand ups as a teenager. We last worked together on New Year’s Eve. Pioneer. Legend. Good guy.”

Mark Critch, co-creator and star of CBC’s Son of a Critch, said Pope’s 1992 feature Secret Nation was his first job as a film extra, while 1994’s Anchor Zone was his first lead role in film.

“Many people got their 1st jobs in film & TV from Paul. Then their 2nd, 3rd & even 100th,” tweeted Critch. “Because of his work with CNA, many more will now learn the craft. RIP Paul Pope.”

Son of a Critch executive producer Allan Hawco called Pope “a giant” in the industry who started his career as an actor and taught him a great deal about producing.

“To say “he will be missed”… doesn’t come close. There is now a huge hole that will never be filled by any one person,” tweeted Hawco.

Pope’s honours over the years included the Arts Achievement Award from ArtsNL, the Douglas James Dales Industry Builder Award, and an honorary doctorate from Memorial University. He served on the board of Resource Centre for the Arts and NIFCO, and has previously served on the board of the Canadian Media Producers Association and was vice-chair of the Canada Media Fund.

“Paul was a giant in the Canadian media production community and a huge advocate for the industry in Newfoundland,” said CMPA president and CEO Reynolds Mastin, and CMPA board chair Erin Haskett, a joint statement.

“Through his tireless promotion of the province, and the work of his own company, Pope Productions, Paul can be credited with bringing hundreds, if not thousands, of film and TV projects to Newfoundland over his four-decade career.

Pope “made significant contributions to the growth and success of the media sector in this country,” added Mastin and Haskett. “Always ready with a funny anecdote or self-deprecating story, his folksy nature belied a shrewd ability to find compromise and bring those with opposing views together for the good of the industry.”

Judy Foote, lieutenant-governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, heralded Pope as “a driven, committed man with an exceptional life story and an unparalleled devotion to advancing the film industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

“I recall early discussions with Paul when, in 1997 as the Minister of Development and Rural Renewal, I worked closely with him to develop the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation,” said Foote in a statement.

“Paul’s passion for the industry was the driving force behind the corporation becoming a reality.”

Said Telefilm Canada: “He will be remembered as a champion for the industry and for his incredible contributions to Canadian cinema. Our hearts go out to his family and friends in Newfoundland, and across the country.”