halifax entertainer, mooseheads anthem singer peter baylis dies after short battle with brain cancer
2 minute read
popular local entertainer peter baylis died early wednesday morning from an aggressive form of brain cancer.
trevor macmillan
/
halifax mooseheads
popular local entertainer peter baylis died wednesday at the age of 62.
jennifer halpin announced her husband’s passing on the gofundme page that was set up to help the family after baylis was diagnosed in may with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. the fund has raised over $64,000 to support the baylis family.
“to everyone who contributed to peter’s fund, i am here on his behalf to express his (and my) deepest, deepest gratitude. how comforting to know he was so loved. last night, lifelong friends and family surrounded him with their love, laughter, and a few stories, while he slept, dreamt, and readied himself for his next gig. no stage fright, just waiting in the wings to make his entrance. peter stepped into the light at 2:55 a.m. ast this morning,” reads the post.
“he did good. he really did care.”
peter baylis, front, is joined by the owners of the halifax mooseheads, peter simon, right, and sam simon, centre, before a game at the scotiabank centre in halifax on sept. 20.
trevor macmillan
/
halifax mooseheads
career
baylis immersed himself in the halifax music scene at the age of 18. in the 1980s, he fronted the band steps around the house, and in the 1990s he was a member of the hopping penguins, halifax’s enduring ska-reggae band.
baylis is also remembered for his portrayal of judas in neptune theatre’s 2001 production of jesus christ superstar.
hockey fans knew baylis as the anthem singer for the halifax mooseheads for the last 15 years. he performed a stirring rendition of oh canada for the final time at the mooseheads home opener on sept. 20.
peter baylis, as illustrated by editorial cartoonist bruce mackinnon. mackinnon created this cartoon of baylis as a gift in september.
bruce mackinnon
advertisement
scott macintosh, manager of media relations and communications for the mooseheads, said baylis touched many lives as a member of the organization.
“we are deeply saddened by the loss of peter baylis, a cherished member of our halifax mooseheads family,” said macintosh in a statement from the mooseheads.
“peter’s voice wasn’t just heard — it was felt. his unwavering dedication and contagious passion left an enduring mark on our organization and the fans in moose country. our condolences go out to peter’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
provincial recognition
katherine morgan fondly remembered the time baylis helped her grandson celebrate his 19th birthday and first year as a canadian citizen last march. in a facebook post wednesday, morgan said she “audaciously” reached out to baylis to ask him to sing the national anthem for her grandson.
“he didn’t hesitate. what i hadn’t considered was how late it was on the east coast. peter went into his basement furnace room and did a blistering acapella version of our national anthem behind closed doors so he wouldn’t wake up his wife.”
in 2017, baylis was recognized in the nova scotia legislature for his patriotism by mla lena diab.
peter baylis performs the national anthem in april 2017.
david grandy
advertisement
“i rise today to pay tribute to the patriotism of a constituent of halifax armdale, mr. peter baylis. as many may already know, in this 150th year of confederation, peter is on a mission. peter’s personal tribute to canada is to put his powerful pipes to the test by singing our national anthem 150 times at different events and occasions.
“as those who have heard peter sing the anthem at halifax mooseheads games can attest, he puts all of his heart and soul into it. he performed at one of the citizenship ceremonies i’ve attended as minister, and i can tell you just how much more special that moment was for the new citizens joining our canadian family.”
share story
