Farewell to a terrific, young journalist taken too soon
By: Jack Tennant
Wee Jackie Weighs In
It’s an old newspaper tradition that stories end with the symbol -30- which means there is no more.
The same in life and with our friend, co-worker, student and fellow journalist Alan Mattson it’s -30-.
Alan died over the weekend at the much too young age of 23.
Such a waste. Such a loss. Such a challenge to explain.
But we must accept.
It was his time on His time and there’s nothing we can do about that but console the survivors.
Alan had been with us the better part of three years.
Alan Mattson, 1987-2010
He started with us freelance writing articles for the Calgary Golfer when we owned it and gradually worked into a full-time position with the Cochrane Eagle.
He was a graduate of Bow Valley High where his appetite for journalism began and was nutured by writing high school articles for the Cochrane Times.
He was a great kid and had the ability, which I always sought but never achieved, of being deliberate and compassionate in his actions.
He simply didn’t let emotions or excitement interfere with gathering the facts.
The mark of a good journalist is to remain dispassionate when chaos reigns and he was able to do that.
And it wasn’t that he didn’t care, he simply had the self-discipline not to overreact.
He had that delighful combination of every good journalist of extreme curiousity and never-ending compassion.
Was he perfect?
Not a chance and he would be very uncomfortable if he thought he projected that image.
He had much to learn in this journalism business and was quick to admit that, but even quicker to learn.
On occasion he would call me his mentor and I would immediately feel bad because I’d corrected him on something but he handled constructive critiicism much better than I could give it.
So we are very sad newspaper these days but life goes on and nobody more than Alan would want us to do anything else but publish a newspaper.
Our deepest sympathy goes to the Mattson family and his friends, particularly those who journeyed through Mount Royal University with him the past few years.
His life was far too short but his memory will live on.
And in keeping with the time-honored tradition:
Alan Mattson -30-.
No related stories.
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My heart is heavy knowing a bright light was snuffed too early. I noticed Alan in all the school plays he was in at Bow Valley High then later had the priviledge of meeting him when he did a story I was connected to. His quiet, gentle manner helped people open up to him and whether he knew it or not, he impacted many people in his short time with us. My thoughts and prayers go to Alan’s family and friends at this time of great loss.
So saddened to hear this and my condolences to his family and friends. While I never met Alan, we crossed paths in the Twitter world. Such a bright young man, taken too soon.
My heart goes out the the family and friends of Alan.My son Noel and Alan went through BVHS together.Alan and I had crossed paths lately during the course of his journalism duties at the Eagle and what a great young man he had grown into.My deepest condolances to all.