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GORDON ADASKIN

Born: Jun 07, 1931

Date of Passing: Dec 28, 2001

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GORDON ADASKIN Gordon Adaskin, R.C.A., born June 7, 1931 in Toronto, died December 28, 2001 at home in Gibsons, BC. Survived by his wife Jan (nee Busch), daughter Susan M. Adaskin of Toronto, son Jon Adaskin of Winnipeg, special niece Susan F. Adaskin of Vancouver, brother Murray of Victoria, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Predeceased by birth parents, Samuel and Rifka Adaskin, adoptive parents, Harry and Frances Adaskin; brothers, John and Leslie Adaskin; sister Mollie Krivosha. Gordon graduated from the Vancouver School of Art (now known as Emily Carr Institute) with an Honours Diploma in Drawing and Painting in 1952, and from the Provincial Normal School in Vancouver in 1955. He taught in the Vancouver school system, at the Alberta College of Art in Calgary, the Banff School of Fine Art and at the University of Manitoba in the Faculty of Architecture until his retirement in 1993. He was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 1976. Gordon was a gentle man with a great sense of humour, and a gentleman to the end. A hero to his daughter. Forever in our hearts. No service by request. Flowers gratefully declined. If so desired, donations may be made to the British Columbia Cancer Foundation or the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in Vancouver.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 02, 2002

Condolences & Memories (3 entries)

  • I recently (on May 10th, 2025) attended the 100th Anniversary of my High School, Lord Byng, in Vancouver, BC. The one person I was most hoping to reconnect with was Mr. Gordon Adaskin, my grade 8 homeroom and Art teacher. Mr. Adaskin was such a wonderful, caring teacher and a true gentleman. He was most definitely my favourite teacher throughout my years of schooling. Partly due to his positive example, I became a teacher and enjoyed a wonderful career with the Vancouver School Board. Mr. Adaskin left a lasting impression on me and I endeavored to treat my students in the caring way he had treated my classmates and me. I was thinking of him today and decided to try to locate him. I was so saddened to learn of his passing. He was a man of honour who will always be remembered fondly. My very belated condolences to his dear family. Jillian Claridge Easterbrook (Former Student 1958/59) - Posted by: Jillian Easterbrook (née Claridge) (Former Student) on: Jul 16, 2025

  • I still have fond memories of painting and life drawing studios with Gord at the U of M school of architecture in the early 90s. I'll never forget the second year tradition of "sketch camp" a fun/debauched weekend on an island in Lake of the Woods. Gord taught us to paint watercolours using spit, which—naturally—we all found disgusting and hilarious. We miss you Gord! xoxox - Posted by: Kyle Scotland (Student) on: Apr 12, 2025

  • Gordon taught freehand drawing to my class of environmental students at the U of Manitoba in 1969 & 1970. He was a profoundly sensitive and thoughtful teacher who was one of the few who gave me a heads up about what was awaiting me in the "real world." His advance warnings about the difficulties awaiting me were true, as were his predictions about the rewards and satisfactions available to those of us who chose to pursue a career in the arts. Gordon never referred to himself as an artist. If he was addressed in this way, he would correct the speaker and explain that he was merely a painter. He was a modest man of enormous wisdom. - Posted by: John Glassco (student 1968-9) on: Sep 16, 2014

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