The following statement is being issued by the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture:

As Minister responsible for Forestry and Wildlife, I am honoured to recognize the invaluable contributions of Earl B. Pilgrim to wildlife conservation, forestry management, and resource enforcement in Newfoundland and Labrador over the course of his colourful, fascinating life.

Born in St. Anthony in 1939, Earl’s legacy is marked by an array of interests and achievements, from professional boxer to best-selling author. Following a period of stellar service with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry in the Canadian Armed Forces, Earl returned to Roddickton in 1965 to work in the lumber industry, eventually training to become a forestry technician.

In 1968, he joined the Newfoundland Forest Service as a forestry ranger before settling into a career as a wildlife officer. Along with helping build a big game population on the Northern Peninsula and Grey Islands, his decorated career included receipt of Shakar Safari International Award in 1978. As Newfoundland and Labrador’s first recipient of this prestigious award, Earl was recognized for outstanding performance and achievements in wildlife management and law enforcement. His contributions to wildlife conservation also include work with Ducks Unlimited Canada to recover an Eider duck population on the Grey Islands.

While raising his family on the Northern Peninsula, Earl served his community well, volunteering on town councils and regional development associations. In retirement, he put his flair for storytelling to good use, authoring 17 best-selling books that exemplify the history and culture of the province he loved so well.

To his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many other family and friends, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you as we join you in celebrating the life and work of this legendary man.

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