Gilliland, John Michael died at home in Victoria on Wednesday, May 5th, 2010. Born on April 13th, 1939 in Victoria he is predeceased by his first wife Margaret and survived by his second wife Corinna. He leaves behind sons Peter and Mark, stepchildren Michael and Kika, his sister Jane Patterson and her family, as well as a huge group of relatives and friends who will miss him a great deal.
Archivist, scholar, lecturer, actor, magician and clown -all were facets of John. His schooling started at Norfolk House Kindergarten through Margaret Jenkins Elementary then on to Vic High where he made his mark as an actor and long-distance runner. He distinguished himself academically by graduating with the highest Grade Point average in the province’s history to that time. He went on to study at Vic College, UBC, Cambridge University (where he spent most of his time with the student Magic Circle), and Memorial University in Newfoundland where he received his PhD. He returned to the west coast and eventually to Victoria in the mid 1970’s where he became deeply involved with the Victoria Magic Circle and Langham Court Theatre. Later on he became an invaluable member of the Friends of the Library (where his ability to shift boxes of books almost as big as himself was greatly appreciated). Everyone benefited from John’s amazing memory, his attention to detail, his incorrigible sense of humour and his insatiable curiosity about anything and everything.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at Langham Court Theatre (his “home” away from home) on Saturday, May 15th starting at 2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers donations to either the Canadian Diabetes Association or to the Victoria Theatre Guild would be appreciated.
13 Responses
Corinna,
Diane and I were very sorry to learn of John’s death earlier this month. Our last image of him was playing a Colonel in a play at the Langham Court Theatre some years ago.
Our sincere condolences.
John Mothersill
Simon and I were honoured to be present at John’s remembrance today. It was lovely to hear so many lovely stories and anecdotes about him. Even today, when I walked into Langham, I heard his voice, that rich and amazing voice.
Simon and I are thinking of you, Corinna, and our condolences to all your families.
Love, Penelope and Simon
I shall miss John’s humour, knowledge and costant notetaking
as well as his willingness to share his knowledge and experience with others.
Dear Corinna and family,
I am very sorry to hear of John’s passing, and I am sorry that I am unable to attend his celebration of life. I’m glad that I was able to see him at Anne’s celebration of life in November.
I have fond memories of John at Langham Court, spanning many years. It makes me smile to remember his chuckle, his baritone voice, his witty comments, and of course his magic tricks, which never ceased to surprise me. I also appreciate the many hours he spent organizing the theatre archives. When I was struggling to remember what year we put on Threepenny Opera, he knew the date immediately. Hopefully, there is someone to carry on this job. Corinna?
I hope John’s picture will be put in a prominent place in the theatre. He must not be forgotten.
Sue Higbie
I am so very sorry to hear about John’s passing. I was lucky to be able to work with John on “Tartuffe” at Langham Court many years ago. I was even luckier to have run into him at the Langham Court costume loft just a few short weeks ago. I had brought my 4 year old daughter with me. John entertained her with magic! Much to the shock and wonderment of my daughter, John was able to draw forth a large, shiny coin from her ear and another from her coat sleeve! She was in awe. (He even gave her a quarter to keep.) John was such a talented, smart and gentle man. I feel blessed to have known him.
I send you my sincerest condolences.
Victoria Honour Reid
Fond farewell my sailor friend
Remember our adventures at sea;
We were much younger then
Proud cadets of the UNTD.
Three score and ten carried you far
With kudos, degrees and more;
Now, you are “crossing the bar”
Not forgetting friendly soles left ashore….
John Dunick 14 May 2010
Corinna, Peter and Mark, Janey and family,
I am sorry that I cannot be with you tomorrow, but I am looking after the next generation in Vancouver.
I remember John’s quick witt, his ready smile, and the laughter in his eyes. He touched all that knew him, and I hope that all will keep that smile in their hearts as we remember his full life.Sarah and Jeannie send their hugs to you, as I do.
Ann Scarfe
Corinna
Please know I am thinking about you. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope to see you at the pool when it re-opens.
Dear Corinna,
I am sorry to hear of your loss. ‘Though I did not know John, it seems from his obituary that he was a dynamic force that will be greatly missed by you and by the larger community of people whose lives he influenced. I can only imagine how his passing will impact upon your life and I wish you gentleness with this adjustment.
I appreciate how important it is for you to continue with the activities that are important to you at this time and I expect that teaching aerobics may be a part of what gives your life structure and stability.[as it did on Friday]
Please take care of your self as you see fit and I will look forward to seeing you when the time is right for you to return to the pool.
Adaline O’Gorman
Dear Corinna
I am sad to hear of John’s death and offer you my sincere condolences. He will be missed. I admired him a great deal. I first met John when I was a student at Royal Roads Military College and he taught me Physics. A few years later I had the privilege of acting alongside John in Arcadia (1996 I think). I really respected his love for Langham Court. I recall my own silly pride in being able to tell John that I was leaving Victoria to study at Cambridge. And I think this pleased him. But I mentioned it in the middle of a conversation about nuclear fission, or fusion, or that collider in Texas. I think he was more thrilled to unpack for me all the science of the collider than tell me about Cambridge. I regret not having had the chance since 1998 to come back and spend a little while in Langham and even be part of a production. He, and you of course, have given so much to Langham. It was always so re-assuring to see John and you there. You just knew the place was in safe hands – or that’s how I felt. And I was very lucky to have been at least a small part of that community for a little while. But where I was a spear carrier, John was its Coward, its Olivier, its Gielgud. My thoughts are with you. Sincerely, Kristian