Hamilton Community News Managing Editor Rod Jerred passed away at Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton Saturday morning with his beloved wife, Kathy, at his side.

Mr. Jerred, 58, had been battling melanoma and last fall wrote about enjoying his “Bonus Days”. He was determined to beat the disease that had shown up three years earlier as mole on his arm. Last September, it returned with a vengeance, but he was determined to beat it.

“To combat the disease in the lungs, chest and other areas of my body, I have applied for acceptance in a new experimental drug therapy program. My oncologist says this new program is my best option for a fighting chance and that’s all I’m looking for — a fighting chance,” he wrote in his last column.

In that column, Mr. Jerred thanked all the people who had rallied to his side, not only his family, but friends, family and co-workers.

“Besides being a daily companion at my side giving me strength, purpose, direction and inspiration, my wife has become my advocate ensuring nothing gets missed in my treatment,” wrote Mr. Jerred. “This will be my last column for the foreseeable future. I plan to return, but for now, I must concentrate all my energy on the task ahead — saving my life and enjoying the rest of my Bonus Days.”

“Rod’s undeniable passion for community journalism was evident in everything that he did, “ said  Jill Davis, editor in chief of the Oakville Beaver, where Mr. Jerred worked for 30 years before coming to Hamilton.

“His dedication to the craft was unrivalled. I will miss him so much as a colleague and a true friend. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I know he gave this disease such a spirited fight. His love for his wife, two sons and life itself, was inspiring. I will always remember, and forever be touched, when Rod and our Oakville editorial staff shaved their heads when I lost my own hair to chemotherapy. Cancer has touched our lives in the most devastating of ways.”

With sociology studies at the University of Regina to his credit, Mr. Jerred graduated from Sheridan College and took a string of journalism jobs, including beats of every kind at papers such as the Milton Canadian Champion, Oakville Journal Record, Milton Tribune, Burlington Spectator and the Oakville Beaver.

In the late 1980s, he was news editor at the Beaver. He would become Sunday editor, associate editor and then managing editor.

Under the direction of Mr. Jerred, The Oakville Beaver won best overall newspaper in Ontario four years in a row.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 5, 6-8:30 p.m. and Wednesday, March 6, 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Smiths Funeral Home, 454 Hwy. 8, Stoney Creek  The funeral service takes place at the same location on Thursday, March 7 at 10 a.m..