David Cadogan, who once owned The Bugle and other community papers, died on April 5
By Nathan DeLong
A retired newspaper publisher who once owned The Bugle in Woodstock is being remembered as “a true giant” of the industry, well ahead of his time.
David Alexander Cadogan, whose newspapers won many awards in their circulation categories, died in Miramichi on April 5 at the age of 83.
David Henley, who purchased The Bugle from Cadogan in 1976, said he and Cadogan were both members of the Atlantic Community Newspaper Association and Canadian Community Newspaper Association long after their business dealings five decades ago.
“He was a big factor at the association meetings, and later became president,” said Henley, who co-owned The Bugle with his late wife, Marlene, under the Henley Publishing banner until 2002. “He contributed to those associations in a big way.”
Cadogan was born on Aug. 3, 1942, in Ontario. He began working in his parents’ press room at the age of eight and later enjoyed a community newspaper career that included owning The Bugle, the Miramichi Leader, the Dalhousie News, Miramichi Headwaters, The Kings County Record, and the Miramichi Web printing operation.
Cadogan was a past president and honorary life member of both the Atlantic and the Canadian community newspaper associations. He also founded other non-industry-related groups, including a Woodstock branch of the Jaycees.
Cadogan chaired the Miramichi Regional Hospital Foundation, was president of the Greater Miramichi Chamber of Commerce, was a Jaycees International senator, and was a past commodore of the Miramichi Boating and Yacht Club. He delivered Meals on Wheels for more than 40 years.
Cadogan’s other accolades included an honorary doctorate from the University of King’s College in Halifax, an excellence award from the Greater Miramichi Chamber of Commerce, membership in the Atlantic Journalism Hall of Fame, and receiving the King’s Coronation Medal.
Former journalist Gail Harding started her career under Cadogan in 1999. She said Cadogan supported her as she learned to be a reporter and documented hospital board meetings in Miramichi, uncovering financial irregularities that led to charges against three senior executives and a provincial court judge for fraud and breach of trust. Her coverage of the subsequent trial won her an award for the best news story in a weekly paper with a circulation of up to 10,000.
Harding, now a spokesperson for the City of Miramichi, said Cadogan was “a true giant in the newspaper industry” who also took chances on many up-and-coming journalists.
“Dave was there in Winnipeg the night I received my award,” she said. “He was so proud and kept insisting I submit my coverage for the Michener Award, which recognizes outstanding public service journalism resulting in positive changes for the public good.
“Being the procrastinator that I am, and not understanding the significance of the award, I missed the deadline to submit it. Dave never let me forget it.”
Cadogan leaves behind his wife and daughter, his son, and three. He had four grandchildren and is also survived by his sister, three nieces, and a nephew.
He was predeceased by his brother and son-in-law. His body was donated to the Department of Medical Neuroscience at Dalhousie University in Halifax.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
