Stuart Trueman, a multifaceted talent who excelled as a writer, editor, historian, reporter, cartoonist, and humorist, was born in 1911 in Saint John to John MacMillan and Annie Mae (Roden) Trueman. He was married to Mildred Kate (Stiles) and was a loving father to their two sons, Mac and Douglas, as well as a doting grandfather to four and a great-grandfather to one. Stuart had a close-knit family that included two sisters and three brothers, and he cherished his numerous friends who greatly influenced his life. After facing declining health, he passed away in his Saint John home on April 25, 1995.
Trueman earned widespread admiration and respect for his dedication to journalism. He began his career as a cartoonist and reporter at the Telegraph Journal in Saint John immediately after high school, later transitioning to a sports writer. He spent an impressive 42 years with the publication. In 1951, he became the editor-in-chief of both the Telegraph Journal and Evening Times Globe, holding this position for the final two decades of his career. Even after retiring in 1971, Trueman continued to contribute weekly columns to the newspapers until 1993. He was deeply committed to writing, journalism, and public speaking, showcasing a keen understanding of human nature. Trueman was also meticulous about details, consistently emphasizing the “who,” “what,” “where,” and “how” of journalism.
Frequently called “Mr. New Brunswick,” Trueman was renowned for his extensive knowledge of the province’s history, culture, and scenic attractions. He authored numerous books on New Brunswick, its people, and its unique past. As a part of the province’s history himself, Trueman, alongside colleague Jack Brayley, had the opportunity to interview Amelia Earhart at the Saint John Airport on May 19, 1932, as she prepared for her groundbreaking transatlantic flight.
Trueman and Brayley achieved another notable feat when they journeyed to Moncton and stumbled upon an attraction now widely recognized: Magnetic Hill. According to Trueman’s son Mac, his father always considered Magnetic Hill his favorite natural wonder, even as its fame and development grew. The discovery of Magnetic Hill spurred the growth of New Brunswick’s tourism industry, and the site remains one of the province’s most visited attractions today.
Throughout his career, Trueman authored fourteen books and penned over three hundred humorous articles for both Canadian and American magazines. Although he referred to these articles as “light pieces” and never considered them explicitly funny, many regarded him as a humorous individual.
Among Trueman’s most significant achievements was winning the Stephen Leacock Memorial Award for humour in 1969. He received this prestigious accolade for his book “You’re Only as Old as You Act” (1968).
Trueman’s literary works encompass a diverse range of titles, including: “Cousin Elva” (1955); “The Ordeal of John Gyles: Being an Account of his Odd Adventures; Strange Deliverances, etc. as a Slave of the Maliseets” (1966); “An Intimate History of New Brunswick” (1970); “My Life as a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak” (1972); “The Fascinating World of New Brunswick” (1973); “Ghosts, Pirates and Treasure Trove: The Phantoms that Haunt New Brunswick” (1975); “The Wild Life I’ve Led” (1976); “Tall Tales and True Tales from Down East: Eerie Experiences, Heroic Exploits, Extraordinary Personalities, Ancient Legends and Folklore from New Brunswick and Elsewhere in the Maritimes” (1979); “The Colour of New Brunswick” (1981); “Don’t Let Them Smell the Lobsters Cooking: The Lighter Side of Growing Up in the Maritimes Long Ago” (1982); “Life’s Odd Moments” (1984); and “Add Ten Years to Your Life: A Canadian Humorist Looks at Florida” (1989). Many of these books feature lighthearted stories adapted from Trueman’s popular columns in the Telegraph Journal, Weekend, and Saturday Evening Post.
Trueman’s wife, Mildred, played an important role in his overall success as an author in New Brunswick.
Trueman’s wife supported him throughout his career, and they collaborated on two cookbooks together: “Favourite Recipes from Old New Brunswick Kitchens” (1983) and “Mildred Trueman’s New Brunswick Heritage Cookbook: With Age-Old Cures and Medications, Atlantic Fishermen’s Weather Portents and Superstitions” (1986).
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