May 27, 1930 – July 14, 2014
Beloved Uncle of Linda, Wendy, Barbara, Suzanna, Cynthia, and James; Great Uncle, (emphasis on the great) of Gabrielle, Allyson, Jennifer, David, Adrienne, Lisa, Diana, Jeremy, Sedona and Lexington; Great Grand Uncle of nine others, all of whom he knew and cherished. Predeceased by his dear sisters Anna, Janice, and Claire.
How we will miss our champion of all the arts!
The family wishes to acknowledge the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, Hugh’s other family in Victoria, all his extended family in Canada, the United States, Britain and Switzerland and his numerous friends and colleagues in arts communities across Canada. We mourn the passing of a passionate, brilliant man who created a life of magnificent variety and beauty in work, relationships and spiritual searching. He has been our guiding light. The family is grateful for the excellent care Hugh received during his last months of illness from Zig Hancyk, his doctors and the staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. Hugh’s vast friendship network was a source of loving inspiration and connection for him.
A service of remembrance will be held in Victoria, BC, at St. John the Divine Anglican Church on Tuesday, August 5th, at 2 pm, reception to follow at the Victoria Art Gallery at 3:30 pm. All of Hugh’s friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Victoria Foundation Hugh Davidson Fund or an arts organization of your choice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Directors
28 Responses
Hugh was my friend. And I, his.
We both moved to Cambridge St. in late 1988, and quickly developed a great mutual affection that never faltered.
In the next decade, over afternoon tea (or, later, over other beverage), we made sure all was correct with the world. During this time, we would come to trust each other implicitly, and to foster a great fondness for each other that will endure, long after Hugh’s passing.
I am so grateful that, after Hugh’s discharge from the Jubilee in the late spring, we were able to have a day together. Hugh met me at the Victoria bus station (I’m afraid he walked from Cook St.) and together we walked (slowly, with breaks, arm-in-arm) to Zambri’s, where we enjoyed a splendid lunch. Then, a taxi back to Hugh’s, where he spoke of upcoming projects – notably the Britten War Requiem, to be performed in November. I told him I wanted to come.
Now, the tickets are arranged.
That day is engraved on my memory. When we left each other at his door, even though we had no idea that it was to be our last meeting, we did as we always did, pledging our ongoing commitment to each other by saying, ‘Always, always’.
Always, always, Hugh.
Hugh lived out loud! Forty years ago when I first met Hugh, he very discretely informed me with his wry smile that my notes on the back of a Vancouver Chamber Choir programme required a slight alteration. From that first conversation he became a great champion and supporter of my professional growth and development throughout the early days of the Concerts Canada Programme, the B.C. Touring Council, Alberta Culture and the Touring Office of the Canada Council and from there into so many other pursuits in life. He enriched so many lives in so many ways, and most particularly in his singular style he was one of the most influential champions of Canadian Art and Artists in all genres. His reach has been unfathomable. I greatly honour and admire you, Hugh. You were possessed of a generosity of spirit that knew no bounds. What a gift your life has been to so, so many. I am so much the richer for having known and worked with you. For all that you have been, I am profoundly grateful.
Dearest Hugh – you have been my staunch and true friend for over four decades. We’ve opened our homes to each on Cathcart Square in Ottawa (and other ones I’ve had here), Vancouver and Victoria, Wellington New Zealand and Adelaide South Australia. We shared food and wine together and with friends in far flung places, visits to film festivals, concerts and art galleries, and the most wonderful times at your cottage in Davidson. I cannot believe I shall never again hear your vibrant laugh and your humming music, or benefit from your wise view of the world. You have nurtured and sheltered so many of us and enriched our lives. Kua hinga te totara i te wao nui a Taane – you are a mighty totara tree who has fallen in Tane’s forest. Now there is a huge Hugh hole in our collective forests of memories, and indeed in all our hearts. God keep you close, my friend, and thank you for all you have shared. May we meet again in another world. God bless!
As a colleague and friend for fifty years, first in Toronto and latterly Victoria, your enthusiasm for life and prodigious musical awareness will be irreplaceable in the fabric of our social and musical culture both in French and English speaking Canada.
Tom introduced me to Hugh some time after he moved to Victoria. He welcomed us into his home and his heart on many occasions and was always very kind and generous. We miss his gentle spirit.
Love that photo!
I’m sorry that I can’t attend the memorial service for Hugh, but want the family to have my condolences.
Hugh was so incredibly supportive of my circle of musicians, right from the early ’70s when we were forming the Vancouver Chamber Choir, the Early Music Society and so many other Vancouver organizations, to the latest moment. A great man to Canada’s musical community!
Jon Washburn
Vancouver Chamber Choir
I have had the pleasure of knowing Hugh since the time I joined The Dance Centre and was immediately inspired by his passion for the arts, commitment to the cause – a home for dance, today known as Scotiabank Dance Centre. His brilliant mind, a keen sense of humour inspired me, all of us, at times that were frequently challenging. It was a pleasure to see his joy each time he visited and saw how the community has embraced this magnificent facility, Canada’s flagship dance facility, and to what great use the dance and arts community in general put it to use over the years. He shall be greatly missed by all. On a personal note I will miss his generous spirit which always served as an inspiration throughout and the brilliant mind he was. From all of us here at The Dance Centre, our heartfelt condolences to the family.
To Hugh’s family, who were in every conversation he and I ever shared, and to his friends and extended family, I extend my sincere condolences.
I have been honoured to have had Hugh in my life since we met at Judith Marcuse Dance Company in 1987. Music was our first connection, and he took me on as his private counterpoint teacher (!), claiming to want to make up for too little training earlier in his career as a composer. Not likely! I think I learned more from him than vice versa! Out of that experience, grew a wonderful friendship that remained active until he passed. Hugh was a great champion and inspiration to me, most memorably once wryly offering me the price of a postage stamp to boot me into initiating a contract which would launch a major publication. Generous to a fault, he was great fun as a chef in the kitchen and at table, and never ceased to entertain and engage whenever we spent time together. I shall miss my visits and calls with him, one of my finest friends.