BIRTHANDDEATHNOTICES
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DEATHS DEATHS DEATHSROBERT KENNETH WRIGHT
“Bob”
July 8, 1935
February 17, 2020PeacefullyonMonday, February
17, 2020,among family and
the caring staffat theWexford
Residence, where he spent the
last 13 monthsof his life. Bob
managedliving withdementia
since 2012 with grace,dignity,
acceptanceandhumour.
Bobhad warm memories of
his early years in the villageof
Swansea(BloorWest),andspent
mostofhis life in the Toronto
area.After working in industry,
he startedhisownaccounting
practice foralargeandvaried
clientele forwhomhewasbotha
friendandmentor.
Bobwas predeceasedby his wife
Doreen (nee Bygrave), with whom
he happily raisedhis twosons, Dr.
RobertWright (Laur oaYung)and
DanielWright. He wasaproud
grandfather toHelena,Annaand
Michael,andtook specialdelight
inAnna’s hugs.
He is fondly rememberedby his
brother Davidandsister-in-law
Linda Wright in BC.Alife-long
doglover, Bobwascompanionto
Annie for the past 14 years.
B obremarriedPat Reed. They
spent 25 happy years together,
having new adventures and
challenges. Bobwasadevoted
friendandsupporter toJennifer
Reed (d.2015)andChris Reed
(SarahJordan)andtheir sons Mac
andFinn.
In retirement, Bob grew
spectacular climbing rosesand
enjoyedcurlingandgo .lfAnnie
benefittedfromlong walksalong
his belovedLake Ontario.Heand
Pat enjoyedconsiderable travel,
theatreandtime with familyand
friends.
Amanof integrityandkindness,
Bobhadaplayful, quirky senseof
humour.Aboveall, he wasloyal.
Once he gottoknowy ou,Bob
wasyour friendfor life.
Bobwas never one forthe
limelight, but he’ll be the focusof
acelebrationandthanksgiving,at
Morley BedfordFuneralHome, 159
EglintonAvenueWest, Toronto(2
stoplights westofYonge St.)on
Saturday, February 29, 2020 from
2to4 p.m.
Donations wouldbe gratefully
received by the Wexford
Residence,activationprogram,
1860 Lawrence Avenue East,
Toronto,ON, M1R 5B1orDoctors
Without Borders.FUNERALSERVICESFRIDAY
ANGEL,PatriciaEsther-11:00Chapel.
KAY,Elsie-11:00DawesRoadCemetery.
SHIVA
SHEAR,Arnold-35EvanstonDrive.
GLATT, Shirley - 110 Promenade Circle, # 208,
Thornhill,Ontario.
GRIESMAN, Stanley - 11 Shallmar Gardens,
RichmondHill,Ontario.
SCHEIN,Gert-98WenderlyDrive.
ANGEL,PatriciaEsther-1HillPlace.
2401 SteelesAve. W. 416-663-9060
Allservicedetailsareavailable
onourwebsite
DONATIONSONLINE
http://www.benjamins.ca
BENJAMIN’SLANDMARKMONUMENTS
YADVASHEMATLANDMARK
3429BathurstSt. (416)780-0635SHIVA
SMILOVICI,Zalman-280ParadelleDrive,#48,
RichmondHill,Ontario.
3429BathurstStreet 416-780-0596JOHN TIMOTHY IRVINE PORTEOUS
BCL, LLD,CMDiedFebruary 11, 2020 inWest Vancouverafter 14 years with Parkinson’s
DiseaseandParkinson’sdementia. His fivedecadesasleaderand
administrator in the Canadianarts community, his steadfast integrity, his
deep-seatedconvictions that thearts wereof vital importance toCanadian
society,andhis principleddeterminationtodoeverything in his power
tofoster the country’s culturaldevelopment, earnedhimawidespread
reputationas “the culturalmandarin’s culturalmandarin.”
He wasborn in Montréal31August 1933, the sonofJohn Geoffrey Porteous
andCoraAnn Kennedy. He studiedlawat McGill University (BA‘54, BCL
‘57), where he wasCo-AuthorandAssociateProducerof the 1957-1958
hit Canadian musical, My FurLady, which touredthe country,andwas
acclaimedas“atimely, sometimes racyandnearlyalways funny spoofof
national self-consciousness.”AttendingaWorldUniversity Service seminar
inWestAfricaon behalfof McGill the same year, he beca mefirm friends
withafellowparticipant, Pierre Elliott Trudeau. They were vacationing
togetherat Club Medin Tahitiadecadelater when heaccidentally becamea
matchmaker, introducing Trudeautoan 18-year-oldacquaintance fromWest
Vancouver namedMargaret Sinclair.
The following year,onwhatwastobeatwo-yearleave from his lawpractice
in MontréalatBourgeois, Doheny, Day&Mackenzie, he was put in charge
of pressandtelevision relationsandspeech writing forTrudeau’s successful
1968 leadership campaign.When Trudeau became Prime Minister, Tim
acceptedhisofferofajobas his chief speech writer,andafter twoyears
became Trudeau’sExecutiveAssistant. Over his five yearsatTrudeau’s side
he became recognizedas (in the wordsof his OrderofCanadacitation)a
“top-level political strategist.”Alwaysdelighting in the wordplaythathad
madeMyFurLady suchahit, Tim persuadedthe campaigning Trudeauto
tell the nation - this was the ‘60’s - thathewantedt o“putsome pot in every
chicken.”Andit was Tim whowrote the goodwill message thatTrudeau
contributedtoacommemorativedisc thatwaslefton the Moon by the
Apollo 11 astronauts in 1969: “Manhasreachedoutandtouchedthe tranquil
moon,” he wrote. “Maythat highaccomplishmentallowmantorediscover
theEarthandfindpeace.”
HeaccompaniedTrudeauon his famous 1969 meeting with JohnLennon
andYokoOno, with instructions tokeep the conversationgoing in caseof
awkwardpauses,andclose itdown if it became problematic.Infact, Tim
recalled, the encounter lastedalm ostfour timesaslongas its scheduled
15 minutesandendedwithLennonsaying: “Ifall politicians were like Mr.
Trudeau, there wouldbe peace.”According toTim, Trudeau responded:“I
must saythat Give PeaceaChance hasalways seemedtome tobe sensible
advice.”Notall encounters with fame were soharmonious.Ona1972 state
visit by RichardNixon Tim refusedarequest fromNixontoopen up the
sculptedcastaluminumdoors tothe grandSalonat theNationalArts Centre.
Thedoors were worksofartandrequiredacuratortobeopened.Not getting
his way,Nixontookapersonaldislike tohimandlaterfamously referred
tohimas “that bushy-hairedfellow....ugly bastard.Probably left-wing.”
Heorderedhis chiefofstaff H.R. Haldemantoplantanegative storyabout
Tim with theWashingtoncolumnist JackAnderson, but nothing cameof it.
Following his years with Trudeau, Tim wasofferedanidealopportunity
toworkin the fieldhe loved.Hejoinedthe CanadaCouncil fortheArts,
where he eventually becamedirector. He wasamasterof inspired
andinspiring leadershipandwhatheachievedthere in termsof
protectingandadvancing the culturalcauseacross the nationwas
perhaps his grea testsingle legacy.Hewasbynomeansall work; he
wasfascinatedby thearcane ramificationsof Ottawabureaucracyand
had amischievous senseof fun (colleagues fondly remember him
ridingaunicyclearoundthe corridorsofCanadian culturalpower). He
wasamanof great principle,and hisconflict with the governmentover
his insistenceon the Council’s independence frompolitical interference
ultimately cost him the job. He later becameassociatedirectorof the
Canadian Centre forArchitecture,andpresidentof the OntarioCollegeofArt
andDesign from 1988 until he retiredin 1995.
Tim servedonmany BoardsandAdvisory Committees,am ongthem the
National Theatre SchoolofCanada, the Montréal Symphony Orchestra,Les
GrandsBallets Canadiens, theNationalArts Centre,National Museums, the
NationalGalleryofCanada,Royal OntarioMuseum, the TorontoArts Council,
OntarioArts Council, theLaidlawFoundatio then, NationalCouncilof
Ghanaian-Canadians,theVancouverArtGallery,VancouverYouthTheatre,the
West Vancouver Foundation,Arthur EricksonHouseandGarden Foundation,
Lefrançais pour l’avenir,andthe PuShInternational PerformingArts Festival.
Tim wasawardedtheOrderofCanadain October 2003, in recognition
of his public service,andreceivedanHonorary Doctorate from Trent
University in 1986.
He wasmarriedtoWendyFarris 1968-1982 (daughter, VanessaBell Porteous).
He marriedBeatrice Donaldin 1987 (sonNicholasWilliamdeLotbinière). They
eventuallysettledinWest Vancouver in 1995,at the footof the north shore
mountainsandwithin easy reachofWhistler-Blackcomb where Tim lovedto
skiandsnowboard.Hewasadevotedfather toVanessaandNicholas. Both
are carrying forwardin their personalitiesandtheir ca reerstheir father’s love
for themandthearts.
After his move toBritish ColumbiaTim initiatedaseriesofannual Stephen
Leacock lunches, honoring the memoryof the greatCanadian humorist,and
devotedmuch energy tothe promotionof the French language inWestern
Canada.Hewas predeceasedby his sister Jennifer Marriott in 2012andis
survivedbyhis sister CamillaRossofVancouver.
BravodearTim!Youcanrestnow,inpeace.
Memorial donations will be gratefully accepted by the National Theatre
SchoolofCanadaandappliedtowardtheTimothyPorteousPrizeabursary
insupportofpromisingmusicaltheatrestudents.
Onlineat:ent-nts.ca,bymailat:5030St-DenisStreet,Montreal,QCH2J2L8
orbyphoneat:514-842-7954x141.
CelebrationsofTim’slifewillbeannouncedatalaterdate.CATHERINE ANNE SMITH
(née Lane)Diedpeacefully with graceanddignityonMonday, February 17, 2020 with
her children by her side,afterathree-month illness causedby cancer.
Ann was predeceasedby her parents, RichardandHazelLane, herolder
brotherAnnesley, her belovedolder sister Morwenandher husband
Rowland. She is survivedby her twochildren, Russell SmithofToronto
andBelindaSmithofHalifax,her grandson Hugoandhis mother Jowita
ofToronto, her nieces Vernice, MorwenandSharonofSouthAfricaand
ChristineofHong Kong.
Ann wasbornonamissionstation in Dysselsdorp in the Districtof
Oudtshoorn, Cape Province, SouthAfricaon October 16, 1939 toaMethodist
Ministerandhiswife whose parents hademigratedfromIrelandtoSouth
Africain the early 1800’s.After thedivorceof her parents,Ann livedat the
Ethelbert Children’s HomeandOrphanage in Malvern from theageof 9-14.
Ann wasalways grateful tothe Ethelbert for the careandstability they
offeredherduringasadperi oodf her life.AfterAnn’s parents remarried, her
parents movedtoaremoteandbeautiful valley in the Swartberg Mountains
calledGamkaskloof where her father was the schoolteacher. During this
time,Ann went toOudtshoorn Girls’ High School. She graduatedin 1958.
Following high school,Annandher parents movedtoPietermaritzburg so
thatA cnnouldattendthe UniversityofNatal where she earnedaBachelorof
ArtsandCertificate in Education in 1961, withamajor in EnglishandAfricaans.
At University,Ann met RowlandSmith whocame fromJohannesburg.Ann
wasactiveat University in the choralsocietyanddramaclub, playedfield
hockeyandfenced,andwasapoliticalactivist.AnnandRowlandwere
marriedin1962 inLincoln College Oxfordwhere RowlandwasaRhodes
Scholar. Their wedding wasofficiatedby the ReverendVivian Green who
is rumouredtohave been the inspirationforJohn le Carré’s characterof
GeorgeSmiley.AnnandRowland’s son Russell wasborn in Johannesburg
where they hadreturnedforRowlandtocomplete his Ph.D.andteach
Englishat the UniversityofWitswatersrand.
AnnandRowlandbecame increasinglyanxious living in SouthAfricaafter
the Sharpeville massacre in 1960and undertheoppressiveapartheid
regime. So, when Rowlandnoticedabulletinabout Killam Fellowshipsat
Dalhousie University, heappliedandbecameoneof the first Killam Scholars.
Itwasanawardthatchangedtheir lives,as the little family movedtoFarrell
Street in Dartmouth,NovaScotiatobeginanewadventureforayear.When
Ann, RowlandandRussell movedback toSouthAfricain 1965, they knew it
wouldnotbeforlong. Rowlandwasofferedateaching positionatDalhousie
University; the family emigratedtoCanadain 1967, but notbeforeadopting
theirdaughter Belindawhowasborn in Johannesburg.Theadjustment to
Canadawithout friendsandfamily washard-asitoften is for immigrants--
butAnn grew tolove Canadaandespecially Halifax, which she hasalways
regardedashome.
After substitute teaching formany years,Ann taught grade4attheHalifax
Grammar Schoolfor10ye arsbefore undertakingaMasterofLibrary Science
atDalhousieat theageof50.Ann heldseveralpositions in Halifaxinthe
library world, includingatSaint Mary’s University where she made life-long
friends.In 1994,AnnandRowlandmovedtoKitchener-WaterloowhereAnn
workedatLibrary BoundInc.In2004, nowinCalgary,Ann volunteered
at her churchandforWordfest,aliterary festival.When her husbanddied
in 2008,Ann returnedtoHalifax,andafter 14 yearsaway, reconnected
effortlessly witholdfriendsasifshehadnever been gone.
Ann’s late passions were the preservationofhabitat, both f orthe welfareof
humansandanimals.Ann lovedreadingandmusic-her taste in music was
eclectic-andshe lovedknitting; butas she usually knittedduring the evening
with her glassesof wine, the results wereoften hitandmiss.
Ann wasawonderful cookandhostedelegantdinner parties. She wasa
modelof witandgoodhumour, intelligenceandelegance,beautyand
grace, styleandglamour.Ann had awayofmaking friends wherever she
went,andmaintainedfriendships that beganduring her Universitydays. She
cherishedthe networkof friends she hadin Halifax, especially, whohave
beenapartof her life in Canadafrom the beginning. She wasparticularly
proudofanddelightedbythe specialbondthat unitedher twochildren.
Ann’s children wouldlike toextendtheir thanksandappreciationtoSarah,
our mother’s nurseat Gynecology-Oncology, Dr. GrantandClaireatPalliative
CareandDrs. ChisolmandMillerandNicole from the MAiD Program.
A tAnn’srequest, there will be nofuneralandher remains have been
cremated.ACelebrationofLife will be heldlater in the summer.In lieu
offlowers,Annaskedthatdonations be madetotheNature Conservancy
ofCanada.INMEMORIAMSALLY CORNELIA DOUGLAS
October 18, 1927
February 23, 2017Your life wasablessing,
Your memoryatreasure.
Welove youandwe miss you
everyday.
Peter, Heather, Susan,
Cavan, Bryden, Ethan.InLovingMemoryTOSUBSCRIBE1-866-999-9237
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