FORAN
FORBES
FORD
FOREMAN
FORGET
FORLER
FORSTER
FORSTMANN
FORSYTH
FORTAIS
FORTIER
FORTIN
FORAN o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-05-06 published
SPRAGGE,
Godfrey
L.
Died suddenly, at Kingston General Hospital, on Sunday, May 4,
2003, in the presence of his sons John and Michael. He leaves
behind a loving family, a circle of Friends who shared his passionate
concern for peace and social justice, and who will miss him very
much. He was married to Shirley (née
COX) for forty-one years.
They were a couple and best Friends for fifty years before her
death in 1995.
Born in Toronto on January 4, 1929, he studied at Trinity College,
Toronto, and worked as a land surveyor and Urban Planner before
obtaining his Masters of Planning from Cornell University. He
then went on to help found the School of Urban and Regional Planning
at Queen's University, Kingston, where he taught for twenty-five
years. Following his retirement from Queen's, he trained with
Project Accompaniment to serve as an electron observer and witness
for peace in Guatemala.
His passion for social justice led him to the Early Years Coalition
and Better Beginnings, Kingston Electors On Line, and the Kingston
Faith and Justice Coalition. He derived great strength from his
involvement with men's support groups, and great pleasure from
piano lessons and singing with the Kingston Choral Society and
Open Voices Choir. His spiritual journey began with the Anglican
Church and led to the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
Since the death of his wife, he found great joy with his many
Friends. He is survived by his sisters Elizabeth (J.D.
WATSON
and their three children) of Belfast, and Monica of Toronto
sons John (Allison
MacDUFFEE) and Michael (Lynne
FORAN) of Toronto.
He particularly delighted in his grandchildren Kathleen and Liam.
His family will receive Friends at the Robert J. Reid and Sons
Funeral Home, 309 Johnson Street, Kingston, on Thursday, May
8 from 6 to 9 p.m. His life will be celebrated at a meeting for
worship in the Quaker tradition on Saturday, May 10 at 1: 30 p.m.
at the University Club, 130 Stuart Street, Kingston, Ontario.
There will also be a Memorial Service at Trinity College Chapel
on Monday, May 12 at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow in the
Combination Private Dining Room. In lieu of flowers, donations
may be made to the United Way serving Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox
and Addington for the Success by Six Program, 417 Bagot Street,
Kingston, Ontario K7K 3C1 or the Kingston Symphony Association,
P.O. 1616, 11 Princess Street, Suite 206, Kingston, Ontario K7L
5C8.
Online Guest Book www.reidfuneralhome.com (613) 548-7973
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FORBES o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-02-20 published
Elizabeth GREGOROVICH
By Alexandra
CHYCZIJ
Thursday,
February 20, 2003 - Page A26
Wife, actress, gardener. Born December 25, 1933, in London, England.
Died December 26, 2002, in Toronto, of natural causes, aged 71.
We were in her home in Toronto, first-time dinner guests, when
she asked for some cutlery from a sideboard. I obliged, only
to be startled by a kitten nestled in the drawer, purring contentedly.
It was not alone. We soon realized that having a meal with Lizzie,
as everyone called her, and her husband, J. B.
GREGOROVICH, meant
sharing their hospitality with dozens of kittens and cats, puppies
and dogs. There was even a pigeon! No fool this fowl for, even
when offered an opportunity to fly off into Toronto's High Park,
he wouldn't leave their home. This entire menagerie lived in
a state of glorious chaos, barking, meowing and bellowing --
most of it animal-generated, all good-natured. The homes Lizzie
made were always like that, a cacophonous delight: eccentric,
caring, inclusive places where her charges and companions --
animals, Friends, and husband alike -- thrived.
Elizabeth GREGOROVICH was born Angela Christine
FORBES-
GOWER.
Lizzie was an actress by vocation and a clerk by profession until
rheumatoid arthritis hobbled her. Nevertheless, she remained
a resolute gardener, this past year starting a "white garden"
in honour of her adored mother-in-law, Mary. She was also a collector
of teddy bears. J. B. always scouted around for her during the
many trips he made on Ukrainian-Canadian business.
Children loved Lizzie. At Halloween she became a cackling old
hag, ambushing those coming close to her lair. I well remember
how half-frightened my daughter Kassandra was on our first visit,
but also how quickly Lizzie dispelled alarm with good-humoured
laughter and treats; how delighted Kassandra was after realizing
that the harridan who jumped at us was an adult having as much
fun as a kid. We returned every year.
Lizzie was just as she represented herself: kind, generous, happy,
a creator of things amazing and curious. In the years I knew
her, even when she endured bouts of debilitating illness, she
was nothing but certain that there would always be something
good around the next bend in her life. Her spirit was infectious.
Those who met her came away amused, refreshed.
Lizzie emigrated from England as a teenager, born into a somewhat
dysfunctional upper-class British family. She didn't like this
country much until, in 1962, she found her perfect companion
in John, the
son of Ukrainian pioneer settlers, a lawyer and
a lieutenant in the army reserves. Lizzie, herself of mixed North
Country English Scottish-Irish-Jewish descent, became a stalwart
supporter of J. B.'s dedication to the defence of Ukrainian-Canadian
civil liberties.
When they retired to Mount Forest, Ontario (there to house an
ever-expanding circle of animals on an ark-like farm where all
and sundry would have room to run and play and grow, as they
did), many deeply missed them and asked why they had moved so
far away. Because it was the right place, Lizzie would laugh,
near Ontario's highest point, so if another flood came, at least
their animals would be spared!
Up there, Lizzie soon became a well-loved local character. But
she never forgot the Ukrainian-Canadian community she had joined.
Fittingly, her remains were treated according to the ancient
custom of partial cremation, leaving bones for eventual interment
in her native English soil, preceded by a memorial service in
Toronto's St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.
No one knew that Lizzie had left us until after the New Year
began and Ukrainian Christmas had been celebrated. Even as her
own life came to end, she thought of others first. That says
it all.
Alexandra Chyczij is a family friend.
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FORD o@ca.on.manitoulin.howland.little_current.manitoulin_expositor 2003-04-30 published
Shirley Eleanor
COOPER
In loving memory of Shirley Eleanor
COOPER who passed away peacefully
at her home in Espanola on Sunday, April 27, 2003 at the age of 71 years.
Born July 15, 1931. Cherished wife of Burt. Loved mother of Sandra and husband Bill
OLFERT of Espanola, Marilyn and husband Paul
FORD of Naughton, Randy
and wife Terri of Mount Albert. Special grandmother of Stacey and
Sherry LEWIS,
Carrie
PATTY, Chris and Paula
FORD, Thomas and Justin
COOPER. Dear great grandmother of Brandon, Brady, Kyle, Kamryn.
Missed by brother Bud and wife Pat Wilkin. Will be remembered by
in-laws Nellie Thomas (husband Gordon predeceased) of Tehkummah, Jean
and husband Bernie Harfield, both predeceased, Leonard and wife Betty
Cooper of Mindemoya, Alvern Nighswander (husband Stuart predeceased)
of Little Current, Max Cooper (predeceased) and wife Ellen of Little
Current, Don and wife Karlene Cooper of Espanola. Aunt to many
nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, April 29, 2003. Funeral Service at
2: 00 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2003 both at Mindemoya Missionary
Church. Burial in Mindemoya Cemetery.
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FOREMAN o@ca.on.manitoulin.howland.little_current.manitoulin_expositor 2003-02-05 published
Frank FOREMAN
In loving memory of Frank
FOREMAN, who passed away at Manitoulin
Health Centre, on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at the age of 78 years.
Survived by wife Shirley (Nov. 9/2002)
predeceased by wife Bertha
{YOUNG}
(June 9/2001)
Step father of Larry, David and Diana
Remembered by sister Jean
JABLANSKI of Selkirk, Manitoba and brother Stan
FOREMAN of Kenora
predeceased by twin sister and three brothers
Visitation was 7-9 pm Wednesday. Funeral Service was held on
Thursday, January 30, 2003, at Mindemoya Anglican Church.
Burial in Mindemoya Cemetery in the spring. Arrangements in care of Island Funeral Home.
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FOREMAN o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-04-24 published
MURRAY,
Marjorie
Eleanor (née
HUGHES)
Died peacefully at Toronto on April 23, 2003. Beloved wife of
R. Gordon for 61 years. Loving mother to John (Elizabeth), Scott
(Janice), Janet (John
DILL), Sheila (David
DICKINSON) and Cameron
(Marie) and proud grandmother of 12. Survived by her sister Janet
(John FOREMAN) and her sister-in-law Inez
HUGHES.
Marjorie was
a graduate of University College, U of T, a member of Gamma Phi
Beta, and a longtime member of the Toronto Cricket, Skating and
Curling Club and the Garden Club of Toronto. Friends may call
at the Morley Bedford Funeral Home, 159 Eglinton Avenue West
(two lights west of Yonge) on Saturday, April 26 from 2-4 p.m.
Funeral Service on Sunday at 4 p.m. from The Church of St. Timothy,
100 Old Orchard Grove, Toronto. In lieu of flowers, donations
may be made to the charity of your choice.
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FORGET o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-07-21 published
KUHN, Tillo E., Professor Emeritus of Economics, York University,
B.Sc. L.S.E., PhD. McGill
Born November 1, 1919 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, died July
18, 2003 in hospital in Gatineau, Quebec after a series of strokes.
He leaves to mourn him his wife Naomi, sons Roland, Oliver and
Christopher, daughter Nicola, daughters-in-law Susan and Tulimah,
son-in-law Neil, and his grandchildren Alexander and Thomas
KUHN,
Sophia and William
KUHN, and Holly and Josh
JANNA.
Tillo will
be missed also by his niece Dagmar
FORGET and nephew Hatto
FISCHER,
brothers-in-law David and John
KIRKWOOD, and cousins in Germany
and England, as well as many Friends, former colleagues and students.
He was predeceased by his beloved sister Brigitte
FISCHER and
cousin ''like my brother'' Hatto
KUHN.
From 1949 to 1954 Tillo
lived in England, where he was the first student from post-war
Germany to enter the London School of Economics. In 1954 he emigrated
to Canada to begin work in transportation economics in Montreal
and then Ottawa. The summer of 1955 found him in a cottage ''up
the Gatineau'' at Gleneagle, where he began a lifelong love affair
with that area as well as with a cottage neighbour, Naomi, whom
he married in 1956. After receiving Canadian citizenship in 1959,
Tillo accepted an invitation to join the faculty of the University
of California, Berkeley. Four years in Berkeley were the beginning
of his twin careers of university teaching and international
development assignments for the World Bank and other international
agencies. In 1966 he became a member of the new Faculty of Administrative
Studies at York University in Toronto, his employer until retirement
in 1989. Tillo was proud to have worked in 13 different countries.
Some of the longer and most exciting projects were in Honduras
1962, Dahomey (now Benin) 1967, Paraguay 1968, and Kenya 1970-72,
where he was director of a Canadian International Development
Agency team working with the Kenyan Ministry of Finance and Planning,
coupled with a training program for Kenyans at York. His favourite
country after Canada to live and work was Greece, where he spent
1964-65 in a research centre, 1980-82 working in the finance
ministry under both a conservative and a Papandreou-led government,
and 1985-87 teaching in the business school of the University
of Athens. In 1989 Tillo retired to his house Tirconna at Gleneagle
on the Gatineau River, the same site where Tillo and Naomi met
in 1955. Cremation has taken place. Memorial service, burial
of ashes and reception to celebrate Tillo's interesting life
will follow in September in Wakefield, Quebec. Date to be announced
later. Funeral arrangements c/o Hulse Playfair and McGarry, Wakefield.
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FORLER o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-02-24 published
DOE,
Joyce
Alene
Peacefully at Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Science Centre
on Friday, February 21, 2003, with her family at her side. Joyce,
dear mother of Linda, Peggy, Gail (Peter
FORLER) and Douglas
(Susan). Loving Nana of Hilary and Willa
ZIMMERMAN; Rebecca,
Jillian and Rachel
FORLER; and, Naomi and Tevis
DOE.
She is survived
by her brother Barry
McWATERS of California. A service of remembrance
will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 at 2 o'clock at
the Armour Heights Presbyterian Church, 105 Wilson Avenue, If
desired, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, 20 Holly Street,
Suite 101, Toronto M4S 3B1, would be appreciated.
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FORSTER o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-03-06 published
Journalist and musician was at centre of smalltown life
By Randy RAY
Special to The Globe and Mail Thursday, March 6, 2003 - Page R9
Ottawa -- It's a wonder Steve
FORSTER wasn't late for every appointment he ever made.
Whether he was strolling along the main drag in Perth, Ontario,
where he lived and once ran the weekly newspaper, or cruising
the corridors at Algonquin College in Ottawa where he taught
journalism, Mr.
FORSTER often bumped into someone he knew.
Inevitably, he'd crack a joke, tell a story or initiate a conversation
about music, politics or work.
"He was probably one of the most well-known citizens in Perth,
says Ralph
WILLSEY, a Perth resident and Ottawa Citizen copy
editor, who was best man at Mr.
FORSTER's wedding in 1992. "He
couldn't walk down the street without someone yelling 'hello.'"
He was also a popular figure at Algonquin College.
"He was a big guy... you couldn't help but notice him and he
certainly knew lots of people both inside and outside the journalism
faculty, says Abla
SHERIF, dean of the school of media design
at the college, where Mr.
FORSTER was on staff for 14 years.
Mr. FORSTER, who was diagnosed with cancer in May, 2001, died
at his home in Perth last month. He was 53.
For the better part of his life, journalism and music were Mr.
FORSTER's passions. These, as well as his gregarious nature,
deep voice, love of storytelling and physical stature -- six-foot,
three inches and 290 pounds -- gave him a presence wherever he went.
Mr. FORSTER was born in England into an air force family and
came to Canada at age six, living for a time on a military base
near the southwestern Ontario community of Centralia where his father Alan was a firefighter.
He spent his teen years in Ottawa and studied journalism at Algonquin
before landing his first journalism job in 1970 at The Courier,
a weekly newspaper in Perth, about an hour west of Ottawa. He
left briefly to work at The Windsor Star and The Ottawa Citizen,
but returned to Perth to become editor of the Courier. He joined
Algonquin College in 1989 and remained there until illness forced
him to take leave in 2001. He also served four years on Perth town council.
"Nobody will ever fill Steve's shoes -- they don't make them
like that any more, says Mr.
WILLSEY, who met Mr.
FORSTER in
1979 when both were reporters covering the Perth area.
Mr. WILLSEY feels his friend's greatest achievements may have
been as a musician. Mr.
FORSTER, who played bass and guitar,
was well-known in the Perth area as the lead singer of rhythm-and-blues
groups Powersnooze, and later, Big Steve and the Mudcats, both
of which helped him win a wide following in Perth and recognition
on the streets of the community. He also played in a band with
staff at Algonquin.
He loved rhythm and blues and was a great admirer of James Brown
and Smokey Robinson. Musically his work resembled Long John Baldry.
"He could really belt out a song... not everybody can make an
arena full of people dance. That was quite an achievement, "
said Mr. WILLSEY, who for years jammed with Mr.
FORSTER and other
musicians, often playing R&B standards such as In the Midnight
Hour by Wilson Pickett and Sweet Little Angel by B. B. King.
The bands he fronted played the bar scene in Ottawa, Kingston,
Ontario, and Lanark County and often appeared at the Crown and
Thistle and the Red Fox, both popular nightspots in Perth.
"Other than writing, I would have to say music was right up there
as one of his favourites, says Mr.
FORSTER's wife
Rachel, who
sang with Big Steve and the Mudcats. "He was involved in music
from his days as a young teen until he passed away."
Mr. FORSTER was also a fiercely dedicated journalist and teacher.
As editor and columnist with the Perth Courier, he had a nose
for news and distaste for politicians who wasted public money,
said Mr. WILLSEY.
After being diagnosed with cancer, Mr.
FORSTER wrote several
columns about his illness and the treatment he was receiving.
"You can't measure success by money, power or prestige, " said
one column. "Success is measured in personal fulfillment, in
the joy of life and in the goodness found in Friends, neighbours and family."
In May, 2002, he received the Silver Quill Award from the Ontario
Community Newspapers Association for 25 years of service in community journalism.
Mr. FORSTER leaves his wife
Rachel, daughter Natasha, father
Alan, mother Beatrice and sister Susan.
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FORSTMANN o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-05-28 published
SHIRRIFF,
Barbara
Jean (née
SLOAN)
Died peacefully at home in Toronto, on Tuesday, May 27, 2003,
having recently turned 81. Predeceased by her beloved husband
Francis Colin
SHIRRIFF. Dear mother of Susan, Cathie Shirriff
FORSTMANN, Janet, Joan
VAUGHAN (the late Steven
VAUGHAN) and
Barbara. Loving grandmother of Diana
CABLE (Warren), Allyson
WOODROOFFE
(Roger
PEPLER) and Kelly
FORSTMANN. Great-grandmother
of Kate and Julia
PEPLER and Hayley, Stephanie and Scott
CABLE.
Survived by brothers Manson and Frank, and sisters Neva
PAUL
and Mary PARKER.
Barbara's love, encouragement, strength and
''joie de vivre'' will be cherished always. Our very special
thanks to Dr. Wendy
BROWN,
Dr.
Russell
GOLDMAN and The Temmy
Latner
Palliative
Care Team, Ella
CASE and the Victorian Order
of Nurses, and caregivers Ramona and Helen. The family will receive
Friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home - A. W. Miles Chapel, 1403
Bayview Avenue (south of Eglinton Avenue East), from 3-6 p.m.
on Thursday, May 29. A celebration of Barbara's life will be
held at Saint John's Anglican Church York Mills, 19 Don Ridge Drive
at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 30. If desired, donations to The Temmy
Latner Centre for Palliative Care, 700 University Avenue, Third
Floor, Suite 3000 Toronto M5G 1Z5 will be much appreciated by
the family.
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FORSYTH o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-05-10 published
LUCAS,
Professor
Emeritus
Alec
Died, after a lengthy illness, at Island Lodge in Ottawa, on
May 6th, 2003. He was born in Toronto June 20, 1913, the youngest
child of Bert and Emma
LUCAS, and grew up on a farm near Cobourg.
It was here his love of nature and books was nurtured. Schooling
began at Cook's School, a two-roomed school near Cobourg, where
he later taught while studying for a B.A. and M.A. from Queen's.
He obtained a Ph.D. in English from Harvard in 1951. Wishing
to return to Canada, he accepted an offer from University of
New Brunswick and taught English there until 1957 before going
to McGill where he taught for and wrote for the next 30 years.
After retirement he was made an Emeritus Professor in 1984, and
worked part-time, which included a visiting lectureship in Iqaluit.
He continued to write until he suffered a stroke in December
1995. Alec was an early advocate for the importance of teaching
of Canadian literature and was the founding coordinator of the
Canadian Studies Program, the forerunner of The McGill Institute
for the Study of Canada. He wrote extensively on Canadian literature,
including articles for The Oxford Companion to Canadian Literature,
and the Literary History of Canada. He published books on writers
such as Hugh MacLennan, Farley Mowat and Peter MacArthur and
edited several anthologies of short stories including the best
selling Great Canadian Short Stories. His passion for literature
and teaching was matched by his concern for and interest in nature
he was an active conservationist and bequeathed most of his woodland
property at Plaisance, Quebec to the Quebec Society of the Protection
of Birds as a nature reserve. He is predeceased by his parents,
and siblings Eva
FISHER,
Vera
FORSYTH, and Leonard
LUCAS. He
leaves his wife, Sharon; former wives Margaret and Coula; children
George
(Charlotte) of White Rock, Suzanne (Allan)
LANGSFORD of
Kingston, and Edward of Halifax, five grandchildren, several
nieces and nephews including Sylvia (Tom)
MIDDLEBRO'of
Ottawa
and Joan (Dick)
MEYER of Barrie and grandnieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at the Mackay United Church,
39 Dufferin Road, Ottawa, May 16 at 3 p.m. Ashes will be interned
in Cobourg at a later date. If desired, a donation can be made
in his memory to Island Lodge, 1 Porter's Island Ottawa K1N 5M2
or a charity of choice.
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FORSYTH o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-06-28 published
DICKIE,
William
Hamilton
Caldow
Born in Renfrew, Scotland September 29th, 1905 - died in Huntsville,
Ontario on June 10th, 2003, after a long, happy and productive
life. Predeceased by his devoted wife
Anna
Elizabeth
(WHITE/WHYTE.)
Survived by his children, Carol, (Michael
MOFFAT,)
Billy
(Janet
LAW) and Susan
CHANDELIER, grandchildren, Blake and Gregory
O'BRIEN
(Sandy FORSYTH,)
Jonathan and Kirk\Marshall, Christine and Bobby
DICKIE, great-grandchildren, Duncan, Charlotte and Eric
O'BRIEN.
He will be remembered for his distinguished career in industrial
and labour relations, his dry (just add scotch) humour, quick
wit and great sense of fairness. A celebration of his life will
be held August 9th at his home on Lake of Bays where tales will
be told and favourite noontime refreshments served. If desired,
donations may be made to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation,
354 Muskoka Road 3 North, Huntsville, P1H 1H7.
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FORTAIS o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-04-19 published
Deborah K.
GOMM
June 22, 1956 to April 15, 2003
Died suddenly on Tuesday, April 15, 2003, in her 46th year. Beloved
partner of Penny. Loving mother to Zachary and Alexandra. Lovingly
remembered by her parents Mervyn and Kathleen and brother Michael.
Predeceased by her brother Richard. Also fondly remembered by
all her relatives in England. She will be sadly missed by parents-in-law
Steve and Germaine
FORTAIS, and brother-in-law Jeff (Nancy,)
nieces Sarah and Anna, and all her Friends. Deb's second family
at The Globe and Mail mourn the loss of a valued colleague and
genuine friend. Arrangements to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations
to the Canadian Diabetes Association would be greatly appreciated.
On-line condolences can be made at www.pfortais@rogers.com 'Reading
Harry Potter without you mom will never be the same. This is
the last page.'
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FORTIER o@ca.on.manitoulin.howland.little_current.manitoulin_expositor 2003-11-05 published
Wesley "
Wes"
Edward
HALL
In loving memory of Wesley "Wes" Edward
HALL who passed away on
Sunday, October 26, 2003 at the Sudbury Regional Hospital, St.
Joseph's Health Centre at the age of 70 years.
Beloved husband of Lucille
(FORTIER)
HALL predeceased 1995. Loving
father of Wesley (wife Valerie) of Toronto, Michael (wife Colleen) of
Ottawa,
Allison (husband Alvin
LANDRY) of Oshawa, John (wife
Marie-Anne) of Ponty Pool, Sharon (husband Danny
GIRARD) of
Arlington, Texas and Sherri-Lynn (husband Joseph
BORLAND) of Milan,
Mich. Cherished grandfather of Jennifer, Samantha, Jessica, Kaela,
Kaitlyn, Bradley, Rebecca, Nicholas and Ashley. Dear son of Harold
and Florence
HALL, both predeceased. Dear brother of Harold
predeceased (wife Valerie) of Cambridge, Kenneth (wife Eleanor) of
Grimsby,
Bruce of Toronto, Inez (husband Harold
COLLINS predeceased)
of Sarnia and Beverley predeceased (husband David
ARMSTRONG
predeceased). Funeral service was held in the RJ Barnard Chapel,
Jackson and Barnard Funeral Home, 233 Larch St. Sudbury on Thursday, October
30, 2003. Cremation in the Parklawn Crematorium.
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FORTIN o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-02-13 published
Gordon Kenneth
FLEMING/FLEMMING
By Jack FORTIN
Thursday,
February 13, 2003, Page A30
Musician, husband, father. Born August 3, 1931, in Winnipeg.
Died August 31, 2002, in Scarborough, Ontario, following a stroke,
aged 71.
Gordie FLEMING/FLEMMING was a remarkable music talent, known internationally
as a master of the accordion, especially in the jazz idiom. He
was a life member of Local 149 of the Toronto Musicians' Association.
In show-business vernacular, Gordie was "born in a trunk." He
began playing accordion when his older brother gave him lessons.
His musical ability was such that he began performing publicly
at the age of five. His schoolteachers often saw him being whisked
away in a taxi to perform at theatres and radio stations in Winnipeg.
By the age of 10, he was a working member of various bands in
that city.
In 1949, Gordie lost his accordion in a fire at a Winnipeg hotel.
With the insurance money, he headed for the bright lights of
Montreal where he soon became an important part of that city's
musical life. His accordion ability was complemented by the fact
that he was also a gifted arranger and composer.
He had a marvellous ability to improvise and could string out
complex bebop lines, leaving his listeners in awe. He often slipped
a jazz phrase into ballads or commercial tunes, confirming that
jazz was indeed his first love.
One of Montreal's busiest musicians, he wrote for local orchestras,
shows, radio and television. He had perfect pitch and often wrote
without reference to a keyboard. He was at home in every type
of music from classics to jazz. For several years, he worked
at the National Film Board as a composer and musician.
In Montreal, Gordie performed with many show business headliners:
there was a wealth of home-grown talent in Montreal, such as
Oscar PETERSON and Maynard
FERGUSON, as well as other jazz musicians
who were beginning to be noticed.
Gordie had said that when when he first heard bebop it was like
entering another world. As his career indicates, he had no trouble
in that world. He worked with many personalities including: Charlie
PARKER, Mel
TORMÉ, Hank
SNOW, Lena
HORNE, Englebert
HUMPERDINCK,
Dennis DAY, Gordon
MacRAE, Cab
CALLOWAY, Nat King
COLE, Cat
STEVENS,
Rich LITTLE, Billy
ECKSTEIN, Pee Wee
HUNT, Arthur
GODFREY and
Buddy DEFRANCO.
He also performed with Tommy
AMBROSE,
Allan
MILLS, Wally
KOSTER,
Tommy HUNTER,
Bert
NIOSI, Wayne and Shuster, Canadian Broadcasting
Corporation jazz shows with Al
BACULIS, and many other Canadian
jazz musicians.
On Montreal's French music scene, Gordie performed on radio and
television with Emile
GENEST, Ti-Jean
CARIGNAN,
André
GAGNON
and Ginette
RENO. He was a featured soloist with the Montreal
Symphony Orchestra on several occasions.
Internationally, Gordie toured France in 1952 and performed with
Edith PIAF and Tino
ROSSI. He had the honour to perform for former
prime minister Pierre Elliot
TRUDEAU at a Commonwealth Conference.
He participated with other top Canadian musicians in a Canadian
Broadcasting Corporation tour to entertain Canadian and the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization troops in Europe in 1952 and 1968.
For me, a memorable experience was playing in a group with Gordie
for several winters in Florida. A popular member of the Panama
City Beach family of musicians, Gordie looked forward to his
winter trek south. Many of the American musicians will miss him,
as will the many snowbirds who looked forward to hearing him
each year.
His extensive repertoire allowed Gordie to author a book called
Music of the World, in which he wrote the music to 280 songs
from more than 30 countries.
Gordie leaves his wife of 47 years, Joanne, and seven children.
Jack FORTIN is Gordie's friend.
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