From: UFO UpDates - Toronto <post.nul>
Date: Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:19:48 -0500
Archived: Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:19:48 -0500
Subject: Gordon Took On Cheats In Star Pages




Source: The Toronto Star - Ontario, Canada

http://www.thestar.com/article/580806

Feb 02, 2009


[Photograph]


Gordon Took On Cheats In Star Pages

Jason Miller
Staff Reporter

Henry Gordon was a magician and a realist who wasn't afraid to
take jabs at UFO believers, ghostbusters, astrologers and faith
healers.

The long-time Toronto Star columnist and debunker died Jan. 24
at the age of 89.

He wrote several books quashing the claims of psychics and
illusionists, including the 1987 hit Extrasensory Deception. His
many appearances on television included Oprah Winfrey's show in
1988.

Gordon's debunking column ran in the Sunday Star for more than
20 years. He also penned a column called "It's Magic" for
Starship, the children's page, in which he explained the secrets
of stage tricks.

"He knew his magic so well, and was such a capable writer, that
kids could actually do the tricks. In person he was a gentleman
and sharp as a tack," former Starship editor John Robinson said.

But it was Gordon's role as a debunker that garnered him the
most attention, and sometimes disdain. He was a founder of the
Ontario Skeptics Society and a fellow of the Committee for the
Scientific Investigation of the Claims of the Paranormal.

The Montreal native was outspoken in condemning unscrupulous
mentalists and mystics, calling them "dishonest frauds" out to
fool people for their money. "I like to call myself an honest
fraud," Gordon said of his magic act.

His wife of 68 years, Zita, said away from the limelight Gordon
was a wonderful father and attentive husband driven by his
curiosity and many interests.

"He was kind and slow to anger," she said. "He tried all his
magic tricks on me first."

As a professional skeptic, Gordon had many foes, including UFO
believer and nuclear physicist Stanton Friedman, 74, who
recalled having his first heated discussion about visiting
spacecraft with Gordon in 1984.

"There is no question he was in the top ranks of debunkers in
Canada," Friedman said from Fredericton yesterday.

"He was very, very much aware of psychics' tricks," colleague
James "the Amazing" Randi said by phone from Florida.

"We talked many times over the years about how primitive those
tricks are, about how easy it is to fool the na=EFve."

Randi said Gordon was well-known in the close-knit magic world,
where he had business sidelines that including manufacturing
"effects" for other performers.


[Thanks to Mendip Lad for the lead]