Whalen off life support
Florida doctors save little hope for broadcasting giant as tributes pour in
By MICHAEL WOOD -- Calgary Sun
Doctors at a Florida hospital have issued a dire prognosis for famed
Calgary broadcaster Ed Whalen, who's been taken off life support following a
cardiac arrest.
"Nomi (Ed's wife) decided to take him off life support," Ed's son Tony said
last night.
"His breathing is laboured and he's not expected to last, the doctors have
said there's no hope."
Nomi and Ed's eldest son, Jeff, were at the Calgary media icon's bedside
last night with little hope he'll recover.
"The unfortunate thing is he hasn't regained consciousness," Tony said.
The 74-year-old retired broadcaster was settling in for lunch with Nomi on
a friend's Florida-home patio when he suffered a major cardiac arrest.
The couple had spent the morning Christmas shopping together and were days
away from returning home to Calgary. He is now in a coma at Bon Secours
Hospital in Venice, Fla.
FAMILY VIGIL
Ed's eldest son Jeff, who lives in Kentucky, has flown to his father's
side, where Nomi is maintaining an almost constant vigil since the horrendous
attack Saturday.
Ed and Nomi had recently wrapped a 10-day cruise -- the last leg of a
three-week Florida vacation -- when tragedy struck.
"They were having a marvellous time together on the trip," Tony said.
Family members were heartened by an outpouring of support and emotional
tributes which continue to pour in.
Tony said the waves of tributes which appeared in local media have not gone
unnoticed by the family.
TRIBUTES FLOW IN
"It's wonderful, all the well-wishing that's pouring in. It's certainly
appreciated, and they will be passed on to Nomi and hopefully Ed," Tony, 32,
told the Sun.
Whalen recently celebrated his retirement from a stunning half-century
career in broadcast journalism, during which he gained international notoriety
as Stampede Wrestling's ringside announcer and Flames play-by-play caller.
'Wailin' Ed' as he's affectionately known, was, and remains, the first and
only play-by-play announcer to call Calgary Flames games during his reign with
Calgary 7 until retirement.
Retired Flames hero Lanny McDonald was one of those stunned by the news.
"We just pray that Ed will not only continue to fight, but pull through and
come back and see us," McDonald said.
Meanwhile, a Calgary-based internet company has signed on to help corral
well-wishers' messages.
Calgarians can sign on to www.hospitalhello.com and deliver a personalized
greeting to the family.
