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TREVOR GARI WHELON
Born: Dec 11, 1947
Date of Passing: Nov 17, 2012
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryTREVOR GARI WHELON Gari Whelon passed away on Saturday, November 17, 2012, at the Palliative Care Unit in Nanaimo, BC after an unfair battle with cancer. Gari was born in Theodore, SK on December 11, 1947 to Roy and Marjorie (Taylor) Whelon but spent his formative years in the north end of Winnipeg. He attended St. John's High School graduating in 1966. In his early youth he developed a love of music, particularly folk music, spending many summers at the Winnipeg and Vancouver Folk Music Festivals. He served as a Board of Director for the Winnipeg Festival as well as the West End Cultural Centre. He also worked for several MLA's and MP's in Manitoba. He has spent the past 20 years in British Columbia as a Workers' Advisor for the BC Ministry of Labour, starting in Prince George in the early 1990s and then moving to Nanaimo. He was a very strong advocate for his clients and mentored many of his work colleagues. Gari had many passions, not the least of which was pottery (Proletariat Pots), particularly wood-fired pottery, which led to his involvement in the Tozan Society. His love of pottery has taken him to Japan and he has cultivated relationships with potters all over the world. Gari was also a passionate cook, loved single malts and Cuban cigars. Gari collected everything he could, be it Kinder Egg toys, books, antiques, outrageous socks or Hawaiian shirts. He was happiest in Hawaii, spending many vacations there, but any place with book stores and thrift stores would do. He leaves behind his wife Bonnie Eaton; his children Tammara Whelon (David), Trevor Whelon and Jeremy Eaton (Yoshie Taira); and grandchildren Tai, Matteo, Daniel and Kleos. He will also be greatly missed by his first wife and friend Gail (Ratson), and many others. Gari is predeceased by his mother and father, half-sister Frankie Johnstone, and half-brother Ken Whelon. A celebration of life will be held at Tamagawa, 2677 Holden Corso Rd., Nanaimo on Saturday, December 1 at 12:30 p.m. Messages may be sent to whelon@hotmail.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 24, 2012
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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I am so sad. Sad for everyone..Bonnie, Gari's family..all his friends..and Gari...this feels so wrong. I will share my little piece of story, the time I had with my creative friend. I have a very vivid memory of the first time I ever met Gari..well actually it was the first time I ever layed eyes on him. I was busy at work at the Nanaimo Pottery Studio at Beban Park when in walked a big, burly, bearded man with a long pony tail. He seemed kind of gruff and quiet at first and I thought, who the heck is this guy? But..it took only a few moments of talking with him before I heard his easy laugh and kind words. From that day on, Gari and several of us potters from the city studio spent many hours working and creating pots together. We supported each other through seasonal Pottery co-op sales and were always each others supporters and fans. Gari, myself Anita Lawrence, and Bronwyn Lewis even put a show of our own together down town Nanaimo one summer and called ourselves, "The Odd Pots" We attended a few workshops together but in general, I always loved spending time with Gari. He was always open armed, open hearted and warm and so so passionate about his art form! His pottery always made me drool! :) I am very fortunate to own several of Gari's pieces that I use regularly and every time, I always think of him as I do...Thank you Gari for all the fun, sharing of creative juices, your warmth and big heart. I just can't believe you are gone from our lives. Much love to you Bonnie. I will continue to sip my tea from my Gari's mugs and treasure every memory of our time together as friends and potters. Love and deep deep sorrow for your loss. Joan Tremblay Nanaimo BC. - Posted by: Joan Tremblay (Pottery friend of past years) on: Nov 30, 2012