Crooner Paul Anka applauds Annette Funicello for her courage in dealing with MS

TORONTO – Pop music legend Paul Anka says his former flame Annette Funicello was “very courageous” because she used her multiple sclerosis diagnosis to educate others.

Funicello — who became a child star on “The Mickey Mouse Club” — died last week at age 70.

Anka, who dated Funicello briefly in the 1950s, is in Toronto today to talk about his new autobiography “My Way.”

He says he wishes he’d had the chance to write a closing paragraph about Funicello’s professionalism and about what a good person she was.

Anka says that by making her illness public, Funicello provided a “comfort zone” to people dealing with the same disease.

The Ottawa-born Anka became famous for such hits as “Lonely Boy” and “Diana” when he started out.

He wrote the classic “My Way” for his friend Frank Sinatra. The song is featured on his new CD, “Duets,” released in conjunction with the memoir.

The album also features collaborations with other entertainers such as Michael Jackson, Celine Dion and Michael Buble.