MAVIS o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-12-24 published
HARKNESS,
John
Gordon (1954-2007)
Leading
Toronto film Critic John Gordon
HARKNESS passed away
suddenly at home, Sunday, December 16, of natural causes. He
is survived by sister, Susan Mary, his brother, Thomas Kevin
HARKNESS, sister-in-law Cecilia, nephew Thomas and step-mother
Sharon BELL. He is predeceased by his mother, Theresa (née
MAVIS)
and his father, Thomas Frederick Gordon. Mr.
HARKNESS was born
in Montreal and raised in Sarnia and Nova Scotia. He earned a
B.A. in English from Carleton University and studied film at
Columbia University under leading American film Critic Andrew
Sarris. In 1981, Mr.
HARKNESS joined alternate weekly Now Magazine
as its film writer on the paper's inception. He appeared in every
issue until his death, often contributing book and music reviews
as well as film writing. He also contributed reviews and feature
articles to Sight and Sound, Cinema Canada, the Cinematheque
Magazine and others. He founded and edited Cinephile Magazine,
wrote the first eight editions of The Academy Awards Handbook
and penned three screenplays. As a member of the International
Federation of Film Critics, Mr.
HARKNESS sat on festival juries
at Berlin, Venice, Miami, Thessalonkia. Mr.
HARKNESS was an ongoing
contributor to a variety of cultural, social, ecological and
educational causes. In his private life, Mr.
HARKNESS was an
enthusiastic European traveller, a prominent tournament poker
player, a developing tai chi practitioner and guitarist. A non-denominational
funeral service will be held Friday, December 28th, 1: 30 p.m.
at the Morley Bedford Funeral Home, 159 Eglinton Avenue West
(2 stoplights west of Yonge Street). Reception on the premises
to follow.
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