RORY (RODERICK) OSSIAN MACASKILL

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RORY (RODERICK) OSSIAN MACASKILL Rory (Roderick) Ossian MacAskill of Gibsons passed away at his home Saturday evening, November 24, 2007 where he had been lovingly cared for by close friends and family during the final weeks of his battle with liver cancer. Actor, author, director, and creative artist skilled at whatever he turned his hand to whether the arts, set and costume design, cooking, gardening, woodworking, or sewing, Rory was a true original - a character in every sense of the word. Anyone who knew Rory knew his passion for ballroom dancing, black and white movies, cheese, Harrison Hot Springs, curtains, hamburger and creating anything from soup! Born May 16, 1930 in Stornoway on Scotland's Isle of Lewis Rory's life was as rich and colourful as his many gifts, his career ran the gamut from ferrier's apprentice to opera wigmaker. A former pupil of the Nicolson Institute, Rory immigrated to Winnipeg where he soon became a fixture of the city's cultural scene. He was a member of the old Winnipeg Theatre, winning three Best Actor awards for his performances in the Hasty Heart, Outward Bound, and Roar Like a Dove. Other credits include his work at the Manitoba Theatre Centre, Actors' Showcase, Fantasy Theatre, and Shakespeare in the Park. He has appeared on CBC Radio, in numerous films and with the Manitoba Opera Company Rory wrote and directed children's theatre for the Players Dinner Theatre and was the winner of the Theatre Canada Festival 90 Award for Best Characterization. Rory moved to Gibsons in the 90s to be closer to his dear friend Marilyn Magas and her family, in particular son Jazz, to whom he was always Uncle Rory'. Uncle Rory was also a popular figure at Cedar Grove Elementary where, for several years, he was the popcorn guy'. Rory's Gibsons credits include the three plays directed by him presented at the Gibsons United Church by the theatre company he formed The Right as Rain Players: Everyone Loves Opal, Over the Teacups and Putting on the Blitz which he also wrote. All three were hits raising considerable money for the church he loved. At the time of his death, Rory was hard at work on his next play and production of the Jungle Book. Rory will be sorely missed by those he leaves behind, his Gibsons family' Marilyn Magas and son Jazz, Julie Termuende, Scott, and Rocky; his Gibson's United and theatre family and his Winnipeg family Jim McCarthy, Darlene Magas and Bo, Megan and Ryan, Tony Harland, Carol and Eleanor as well as many more friends and colleagues too numerous to mention. A celebration of Rory's life was held at Gibsons United Church Trueman Road, Tuesday December 4. A further celebration of Rory's life is planned to be held in Winnipeg, June 13 at the King's Head Pub. Please contact marilyn@scces.ca for further info. Connect with friends and family of Rory around the world to share stories and memories at Facebook: search Rory MacAskill, Sunshine Coast. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rory MacAskill Scholarship for Drama Studies. Cheques payable to: School District #46 (Sunshine Coast)

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 09, 2007