Gerald 'Gerry" Ernest Tooke, RCA

As we all get older, it's inevitable that we lose people that had some effect on us. Someone who might have changed your life, if not significantly, at least subtly. While logically it shouldn't be surprising when it happens, I still catch my breath when it does. Especially when it's someone like Gerry Tooke, who passed away on April 29 at a very young 80 years of age.
I had heard of Gerry many years before I actually met him. He was a figure than loomed large in our industry. And when I did meet him, about 25 years ago, it made for an interesting story. One that's best recounted by its similarity to the plot of an old Sean Connery movie- The Anderson Tapes, where a crew of current day tradesmen reassemble after many years to pick up their original vocation (in this case stained glass, not larceny) and complete another commission. Go see the movie. Gerry Tooke's part was played by Sean Connery. Gerry is better looking though.

Gerald Tooke was born in England, studied at Canterbury Cathedral and served as an RAF officer. He came to Toronto in 1954 and by 1960 won his first significant commission. His work can be found right across Canada and even includes windows in the MacDonald Block at Queen's Park. He was one of the youngest people to be elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, eventually serving as their National Director.
He lived a full and interesting life.
We're all richer for his life, and saddened by his passing.