In Memoriam

In Memoriam

We are saddened to inform the Membership of the passing of John Noonan, father of Joe Noonan (Construction Member), on Saturday, April 14, 2018. 

NOONAN, John
April 11, 1929 – April 14, 2018

Obituary

Passed away peacefully at North York General Hospital at the age of 89 as a result of complications following a stroke. Beloved husband of the late Regina. He is survived by children John (Marian), Alexandra (Brian), Theresa (Drew), Pauline (Bruce), Patricia (Arthur), Andrew (Diane), Owen (Irene), and Joseph (Roxanne) as well as 14 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Born in Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland, he served as a radar technician in the RAF in England, where he met his future wife. After immigrating to Canada, he had a successful career as a talented technician in the broadcasting industry. He enjoyed traveling to see family in the US and the UK. He will be remembered for his love of classical music, sense of humour and his “gift of the gab.” Visitation will be held at Jerrett Funeral Home, 660 Kennedy Road, Scarborough, on Sunday, April 22, 2018 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Gabriel's Passionist Parish, 670 Sheppard Ave. E. Toronto, M2K 1B7 on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 10 am. Cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canadian Food for Children.

~Your Union Office

In Memoriam

We are saddened to inform the membership of the passing of Dan Christov (Construction) in the early hours of Thursday, March 29, 2018. Dan Christov passed away peacefully in his sleep from heart failure on March 30, 2018. Dan leaves behind his mother, Marianna, brother Steve, sister-in-law, Phymean, nephew Alex and niece Angie. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with Dan’s Memorial at https://www.gofundme.com/8d37y-dan-christov039s-memorial . Dan's passing was unexpected. Any donation, of any size, would be extremely helpful. All donations will go to Dan's mother to help with costs and expenses to help her through this difficult time. Any remaining donations will go towards a Celebration of Life for him on April 14, 2018 at: Jason George Pub 100 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5A 1E1 2pm - 6pm

A private family funeral has been held. ~ Your Union Office

In Memoriam

Good afternoon Local 873. We have just been informed that there will be a service for brother Mike Gabourie taking place this Monday April 2, 2018. 

Gabourie, R. Michael

Suddenly at home on Wednesday, March 28th after a lengthy illness. Michael is survived by his father Ray and stepmom Mary. Michael is  predeceased by his mother Marie.  He will be sadly missed by his sisters Laura and Lisa & her husband Michael Drachewych. Loving dad to Christian and Nicole. Michael will be missed by his nephews J.R. Vitale, Matthew Vitale, Markus Drachewych, Adrian Drachewych, Auntie Jack and his many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, family and friends. A special thank you to Cousin Liz. Friends will be received at the Ridley Funeral Home, 3080 Lake Shore Blvd. W. (at 14th St., between Islington and Kipling Aves., 416-259-3705) on Monday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm Funeral Mass on Tuesday at 10 am at St. Leo’s Catholic Church (277 Royal York Rd). Interment Mount Peace Cemetery, Mississauga. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or Diabetes Association would be appreciated. Messages of Condolence may be placed at RidleyFuneralHome.com.

 http://m.ridleyfuneralhome.com/obituary.aspx?ObitID=2677

We are saddened to inform the membership of the passing of Mike Gabourie (Transportation) today. Mike is survived by his father, Ray Gabourie (Retired, Gold Card Transportation), his sister Laura Gabourie (Transportation) and his son Christian Gabourie (Transportation). Further details will be provided to the Membership when it is available.

~ Your Union Office

In Memoriam

We are saddened to inform the membership of the passing of Geralyn Wraith on Friday, March 30, 2018
An article was published Monday, April 2, 2018 by the Toronto Star – and other outlets.

Updated April 03, 2018 - 4:50 AM

Saskatoon-born makeup artist Geralyn Wraith dies

Victoria Ahearn

TORONTO - To many in the Canadian film and TV industry, makeup artist Geralyn Wraith was like a beloved member of the family, a close friend and a psychologist.

The Saskatoon native, who died Friday, helped craft the look of major characters on shows including "The Kids in the Hall" and "Kim's Convenience" and forged strong bonds with on-air talent through a compassionate demeanour that made them open up to her in the makeup chair.

While she worked to change what people looked like on the outside, she also got to the heart of who they were on the inside.

"She held a lot of stories, because a lot of people confided in her," actress-producer Jennifer Podemski, who worked with Wraith for 20 years, said Monday in a phone interview as news of her death spread through social media.

"If you're on a long-term show, the person you see every day at least to have a long-term conversation with is primarily your makeup artist and you have their undivided attention.

"You don't always click with everybody, but from my knowledge and my team that I bring together, Geri was always someone who you wanted on your team because she made everybody feel special."

"Kim's Convenience" star Jean Yoon, who worked with Wraith for the first two seasons of the CBC comedy, said she had "a big heart."

"You could tell her anything and she would get where you were coming from," Yoon said.

"At the top of the day, every actor is anxious and wondering about the day ahead and reviewing their lines and you're pretty open emotionally, because that's the one place you're safe. Any hair and makeup room she was in was a safe place to be."

Yoon said Wraith died Friday morning in hospital in Toronto. She was 63.

Podemski said she had battled breast cancer some time ago and recently learned it had metastasized into her liver.

Yoon, who saw Wraith in hospital last Thursday night, said the cancer had progressed in her liver "really fast."

Wraith had also been reeling from the recent sudden death of her sister Roberta Wraith, who suffered a heart attack, said Yoon and Podemski.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Wraith was born into a military family, of Irish/Ojibwa descent, and grew up in various cities in Canada.

She did the makeup and prosthetics for dozens of wide-ranging projects, many of them at the CBC, where she started working in 1975.

"Geri was very sensitive to the needs of the actors and was very collaborative with them and encouraging of them to push their boundaries, thus making very interesting and successful characters," said costume designer Alex Kavanagh, who worked with Wraith on the 2010 miniseries "The Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town."

In the '80s, Wraith co-created the look of all "The Kids in the Hall" characters, including Mark McKinney's the Chicken Lady and Scott Thompson's Buddy Cole.

"Not only was she a brilliant artist she was the calm centre of the show whose talent and kindness were unparalleled," Thompson tweeted Sunday.

"She was also one of my dearest friends and I miss her tremendously. I love you Geri."

CBC News Network reporter Jeannie Lee said Wraith's makeup skills were once used in a Toronto police sting operation. In a photograph that was part of the effort to catch a criminal, she made an actor appear as if he'd been shot dead.

"I think the instant connection that everyone talks about with Geri is because she lived a lot, she suffered but she learned from it," said Lee, who worked with Wraith.

"She was always very empathetic and you really got this spirituality from her, this philosophical way she had of being able to feel with you and feel for you."

Filmmaker Deepa Mehta posted on Twitter that Wraith was "sensitive, warm, adventurous and utterly compassionate."

Wraith also taught at the College of Makeup Art & Design and Podemski said she was a mentor to many, including young Indigenous women.

"I suppose because she was an Indigenous woman working in this industry, we had a lot in common from that perspective in terms of feeling somewhat isolated and not often seeing our community reflected in the industry that we worked in," Podemski said.

"But she was always working in the mainstream and I thought that was really awesome."

Lee said a memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday at Hope United Church in Toronto.

Wraith is survived by her son, Kiviuq Wraith-Akpaliapik, her sister Celia Aberhart, and her brother Michael Wraith.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said Scott Thompson played the Chicken Lady.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2018

~ Your Union Office

In Memoriam

We are saddened to inform the membership of the passing of Robert Forbes (Grip) on March 25, 2018.

Obituary
Published in the Toronto Star on Saturday, March 31, 2018

FORBES, Robert David On March 25, 2018 at the age of 61, Rob passed peacefully from a long term brain injury at the Rekai Centre in Toronto. Predeceased by his parents Nora and Kenneth, Rob is survived by his children Meghan (Dylan), Calder (Mike); grandchildren Jacob and Connor; his siblings Ken (Fran), Marg (George deceased), Mary (Pete), Jim (Denice). Rob played football for the Calgary Stampeders, Toronto Argonauts and had a career working in the film industry. In honour of Rob there will be a future gathering of family and friends to celebrate his life. In memory of Rob, donations can be made to the charity of your choice. Online condolences to the family can be posted to www.DignityMemorial.com .

~ Your Union Office

In Memoriam

We are saddened to inform the membership of the passing of Ross Leslie on March 13, 2018.

Ross Edward Leslie
October 23, 1959 – March 13, 2018
Obituary

It is with great sadness that the family of Ross Edward Leslie announces his sudden passing on Tuesday March 13, 2018.  Ross is predeceased by his loving parents, Cameron and Manny (Madeleine) Leslie and leaves his wife Cathy, daughter Lauren, brother Trevor (Elizabeth), sister Sharon (Scott), sister-in-law Karen, brother-in-law John (Terri) nephews Paul, Harry, Christopher, niece Kendra, in-laws Cliff and Betty, many cousins and a world of friends.

Ross was a wonderful man whose heart stretched from the city streets of Toronto to the Laurentian lakes and the cliffs of Newfoundland.

Ross was a Montrealer born and bred who lived and worked in the film and television industry in both Ontario and Newfoundland. After over 10 years in theatre, as an actor and tour manager he focused his talents in the film and television industry.  He was widely respected as a Line Producer/Production Manager on shows such as Republic of Doyle, Anne of Green Gables, Frontier, Caught, Little Dog and most recently, Star Trek Discovery. In this role he was a quick thinker with a broad view yet so good at in depth analysis.  He always worked with the lens of kindness balanced perfectly with bluntness. But this does not capture him.

Ross was a foodie, a quilter, a theatre buff, a master martini maker, a hiker, a photographer, a historian, an actor and a golfer.  He collected friends like he collected art. Ross became friends with people immediately.  He did it by inviting them over for martinis and dinner, on a hike, or simply for a coffee.  If you were to name a few of his attributes, you’d say wise, kind, thoughtful, trustworthy, romantic, hilarious, but loyal and generous would top the list. He supported everyone in big ways and small. He gave often and with grace and ease.

Ross worked hard but also knew how to live well.  He was the guy who was given the best tables in the best restaurants and sat so that he was perfectly framed, by a window or door. He was the man who had impeccable taste in impossibly pointed shoes. He was the person who every bloody year replaced the art in his rental home in St. John’s with favourite pieces from his collection of local Newfoundland artists.  He hiked with a bottle of wine, ‘truffled’ cheese and real china in his backpack. He even has a sealskin coat named “The Ross” after him.

He wasn’t just a member of the Dunany Community, he was fully engaged as a leader.  Like his mother, Manny, before him, he loved being Club Captain of the Dunany Country Club for many years.  Like his father, Cam, before him, Ross was president of the same course.  He was also a warden of St. Paul’s Church.

Most importantly, Ross was a family man, well raised by his parents who held family values high.  He spent idyllic childhood summers with them his brother, Trevor and sister, Sharon at their family cottage in Dunany. Dunany is the place that holds his heart.

Cathy and Lauren were the stars in his life.

When he talked about his daughter Lauren it was with such tremendous pride that people would get teary. Ross was many things to many people, but his biggest and most important role was as a father to Lauren. He was the quintessential ‘fun’ Dad. He loved to take her on ‘big explores’ in the woods at the cottage, loved to walk her around on the Dunany golf course before the age of 5 and demonstrated how to ‘host’ a multitude of parties. If Lauren had to choose which parent to go shopping with it, it would not be practical, thrifty Mom but extravagant Dad. He instilled in her his love for the theatre and the arts. She attended an arts school and has followed in her father’s footsteps in the film world and regularly sought his sage advice.

And when he spoke of his wife Cathy, it was with a “get a load of how good I got it” smile.  (He was right to do so, she’s the original kick-ass feminist) Married for almost 28 years, they loved to hike the trails of Newfoundland, cycle in Toronto, and enjoyed spending time at their cottage kayaking, swimming, golfing, and hosting dinner parties with family and friends. With Cathy retiring from teaching this June they were making plans to build a new home on the lake.

As one of his friends quipped, Ross was unique and stood out in a business filled with individuality.

Ross made an enormous difference in the lives he touched. That is the gift he had.

“He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again.”  Hamlet

The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES – NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. and 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 22nd.  A funeral service will be held in ST. SIMEON’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 445 Rue Principal, Lachute, Quebec at 11 o’clock on Thursday, March 29th.

If desired, in lieu of flowers please feel free to donate to the following charities that Ross held dear:

In Toronto, it’s The Actor’s Fund of Canada (afchelps.ca); in Quebec, it’s St. Paul’s Church, 1176 Dunany Road, Lachute, Quebec, J8H3W8 and in Newfoundland, Perchance Theatre at Cupids www.perchancetheatre.com.  Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.

 ~ Your Union Office

In Memoriam

We are saddened to inform the membership of the passing of Terry Doyle (SPFX Member) yesterday, Monday, March 12, 2018.  Celebration of Life details are below.

~Your Union Office
 

In Memoriam

We are saddened to inform the membership of the passing of Victoria Hamilton (Scenic) on March 4, 2018.
The family will hold a private service and cremation.  A Celebration of Victoria's life for her friends and loved ones will take place at a later date.  More details will be provided to the Membership once they are made available.

~ Your Union Office

In Memoriam

We are saddened to inform the membership of the passing of DGC Member and also a founding IATSE 411 Member, Melody Comrie on February 28, 2018.  Melody's brother Christopher Comrie is a Payroll Accountant with the DGC.

Melody Comrie

In Memoriam Notice taken from IATSE 411 website
 www.iatse411.ca

We’ve lost a Sister, Melody Comrie.

Melody was one of our founding members of Local 411 and will be deeply missed by many…

Melody Rose Comrie died unexpectedly in her home on February 28, 2018, in Toronto, Ontario, at the age of 62. The cause of death was undiagnosed pneumonia.

Beloved daughter of Victor and Joyce Comrie (née Martin), both deceased. Melody is survived by her siblings Frank, Heather, and Christopher, and is preceded in death by her sister Evelyn.

Melody was born on June 21, 1955 in Toronto. She graduated from Gordon Graydon Memorial Secondary School and attended Guelph University.

Melody spent the majority of her career in the film and TV industry. She was an accomplished Production Coordinator and also worked in Locations as a proud member of both IATSE 411 and the Directors Guild of Canada. She spent a number of years at Telus Mobility as a Project Manager.

Melody was a generous, hilarious, and friendly soul who loved gardening, camping, animals, music, dancing, and her many nieces and nephews. She overflowed with the same wild enthusiastic energy on her last day on earth that she had the day she was born and every day in between.

A non-denominational memorial service is scheduled for Friday March 9, 2018, at 5 pm, with visitation/reception from 2 pm to 5 pm, at Giffen-Mack Funeral Home, 2570 Danforth Ave in Toronto, at Main and Danforth. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Melody’s life, and to say goodbye.

Condolences and flowers can be sent to Giffen-Mack Funeral Home, 2570 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4C 1L3

~ Your Union Office