A Saskatoon comedian who pushed for better treatment of the blind has died.
Mike Simmonds passed away Monday night in hospital, according to friend Bob Gourley. He was receiving treatment for blood clots.
The death was sudden and unexpected, said Gourley, the president of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians’ Saskatoon chapter.
Simmonds, who was legally blind, was known across the city for his efforts to improve services for the visually impaired.
He grabbed media attention several times in 2013 — first, after filing a human rights complaint against a local cab company and, second, after he was allegedly told by a 7-11 employee he couldn’t be in the store with his guide dog, Graham.
In the human rights complaint, Simmonds alleged several cab drivers told him his dog was not allowed to enter their taxis.
He also ran the Puck'n'Funny comedy tour — a tour that helped fundraising efforts of local hockey teams across Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba — and was a leading force behind organizing blind hockey in Saskatoon.
He was set to appear on CTV Saskatoon’s noon show Wednesday to promote an AEBC fundraiser. He was a frequent guest on the show.
