Elaine Pain

Elaine Pain with Margaret Bessai in 2009

Elaine Pain passed away this afternoon. I first met her when I took an animation course around 1983 or 1984. I continued working along side her throughout the 80s and early 90s on the Board at the Filmpool. She was president of the Filmpool during the ill fated Brenda Owens period when the Board needed to do all the work of the organization for a year to keep it afloat. In 1999 when I was hired on at the university full time, we were colleagues and taught together until she retired in 2010. During her years of teaching, students could always find her at the loading bay having a smoke. Those years caught up to her with a vengeance as she was diagnosed a few weeks ago with stage 4 cancer. 

Gertrud Bessai, 1941-2024

Our dear friend, wife, mother, and grandmother Gertrud Bessai (nee von Gernet) passed away at the age of 82 on April 29, 2024. Deeply missed by her husband Frederick Bessai; her children Margaret Bessai (Gerald Saul), George Bessai; her beloved grandchildren William Bessai-Saul, Katherine and Kristin Bessai; her large extended family and many dear friends around the world.

The youngest of seven, Gertrud was born in Berlin in 1941 to Baltic German parents, Richard Johann von Gernet and Gertrud Johannson. After emigrating to Canada, she graduated high school at Prince Albert Collegiate Institute in 1960. Studying Entomology and Chemistry at University of Saskatchewan, she earned her B.A. and Diploma in Education. 

Married on May 29th 1965, Gertrud and Fred built a life together around the seasons: winter in Regina with the university and church communities; summer on the family farm in Southey. Gertrud was proud to be Canadian. With hugs for everyone, Gertrud welcomed all to her dinner table, never hesitated to say, “I love you” and was always there to help, whether fixing a combine or planting a garden. She loved many cats, good books, good conversation, and strong coffee. She had no tolerance for injustice—she was passionate, fierce and supportive. Gertrud had a wonderful laugh and a big heart.

Claude Roy Saul

 

My father pass away at about 4:45 this morning (Saturday January 20). We'd been with him until about 1:30, Lori, mom, and I, and went home when it seemed like he was okay. He was sleeping calmly, waking occasionally as we talked or jostled him around, and seemed okay. Mom got the call and called me so I was there to sit with him since about 5:30 as all the business around such things occurs. He'd had dementia for quite some time and has been in the nursing home for two years less a couple weeks. Mom has been here almost every day. I visit often, even though I can't even remember that last time he spoke my name. I guess I've been a familiar face. We'd sit together. I'd tell him about whatever is going on in my life or the world. Conversations had become increasingly one-sided as it's been ages since he could talk about his years working in the Auditor General's Office, or playing hockey in college for the Brandon Wheat Kings, or playing cards or having a nice drink of rum. He did seem to enjoy watching people around him and he would point to things or situations that amused him. He enjoyed eating, which one could hardly believe since he'd lost so much weight. He'd always eat his meals and find room for chocolates or cookies or other sweet stuff. Small pleasures. He's 90 and it was his time. Goodbye dad. 

Andy Grzesina

Mike and Paul's dad, Andy Grzesina, passed away today after spending the last week or two in the hospital. Andy was always friendly and selfless. On a number of occasions when we went to their house to connect up with Mike, Andy would take on the role of host and bring wine and snacks and engage us in friendly banter. We always felt welcomed. When George got married and we were arranging the farm reception, Andy stepped up and did the carving of the pit-roast. He just wanted to be useful and involved. He didn't sit on the sidelines. Some time after that, I asked him to borrow his ladder which could stand on stairs so that I could move a light fixture to the top of the stairs. Andy not only brought over the ladder, he insisted on helping install the light (actually, it was just me assisting him). He was one of a kind and will be missed. 

Rowan Knopf

 

William with Rowan Knopf, July 2020

This is the most recent picture I have of William's childhood friend Rowan Knopf. This is not how he would usually dress, but he did on this one day in July of 2020 when he dropped by the house in the early months of covid. In recent years, William and Rowan haven't been close, only connecting now and then and rarely for long, but back when they were young they talked and played (but mostly talked) for hours. It seemed like they would never stop. Lego was central to the conversation, but never really Lego. This was just a trigger that would launch them into the most bizarre tales, creating a set of characters and situations that could span a series of books or tv seasons. Rarely did anything hit paper or video, it was all words in the air. 

Ed came to our house this evening to tell us that Rowan was killed in a auto accident yesterday. 

Branda Owens

 Brenda Owens died this week. I've not spoken to her since before the big Filmpool fiasco in the early 90s for which most of us remember her. However, I do want to take a moment to remember that for a few years, she did far more good than harm to the Filmpool. She was savvy at convincing our funders of the value of the group, even when we weren't acting as professionally as we should have. She got us into the first large, useful space (1100 Broad) where Filmpool stayed for most of the 90s. 

Bob Madeley

 June's stepdad, Bob, pass away this weekend. He was really nice and he was always tremendously supportive of June. He and June's mom got married twice. Bob had some serious lung problems that he was being treated for, so even though he was double vaccinated, covid was ultimately too much. 

Allan also came down with covid and will be in quarantine for the week.  

Dominic Gregorio

It is with great sadness that I received news today that my colleague from the music department, Dominic Gregorio, passed away today. I didn't know him as well as I'd like to have. We met when he first arrived in Regina and was attending a faculty retreat in August 2012. He didn't know anyone yet and the two of us had more than a few chuckles, loitering at a back table like a couple of high school boys, being a bit sarcastic and having a pretty great afternoon. I was really impressed therefore to see the much more serious side of him when he was performing. Wow, he was so good.

Rudy Sirke

The funeral for Erik's father was today. The service was nice and the eulogy given by Erik and Kara was very emotional. The crowd was huge. So big that Geremy and I ended up in the far wing of the room and didn't see Erik and his sister play a duet on the grand piano. Sounded wonderful. I regret not knowing Rudy. His support of his children and community was admirable. 

Alison Cropley

1993

2000

2002

2014

This weekend a dear woman and friend, Alison Cropley, passed away from an unexpected stroke. I met her a handful of times when she would come to Regina from Australia to visit her old classmate Gertrud, Margaret's mother. The last time I saw her, I suggested that we go to Dairy Queen. I knew (can't remember how) that she'd loved going to Dairy Queen decades ago and hadn't been there in ages. Even though it was late in the evening and none of us were really hungry, we had a blast going and getting sundaes and shakes and so on. I'm so glad that I got to enjoy the few conversations I did with her. 

Josh Holland

Josh Holland, 2013

With great sadness I attended the memorial of Josh Holland this afternoon. Josh was a student of mine last year and had such uncontrollable ideas that I was certain he would shake this city for years to come. I shared a story with his brother about Josh as a second year student, an event I probably should have failed him for but I rewarded him instead (I still won't describe it in print). Josh would have appreciated the service, or at least the first half, which contained singing, jokes, satire, and a screening of his last film, a hilarious short in which he froths at the mouth in a re-enactment of the discovery of his van being vandalized. We forgot for a moment that he was gone. Not forgotten.

Josh Holland, 2015

David Stefanyshyn

David Stefanyshyn, 2005

David Stefanyshyn, 2002

I just learned that David Stefanyshyn died yesterday. I am shocked and very upset. I've not seen David much in the past five years. When we were recording Sockvile a few years ago I contacted him to ask if he'd do a voice. He had the strangest sense of humour and I knew he'd bring something special to the project. He declined as he was in the middle of moving back out to the farm. As far as I know, he's been out there since. I know I ran into him at least once or twice since then, probably at the street festival or something like that. I still share stories about his crazy antics when he was my student (and I'm not really sure I can call him a student as he always defied instruction). He finished in our program at the UofR in 2002 and was involved in numerous of other films, strange comedies such as "Shuya Show". I wish he did more, he was a natural. He was involved with the Filmpool for a while in 2005 and helped organize a festival and a visit by David Rimmer to Regina that fall. I don't know what to say or what to think. David was a unique and very special person and is certainly going to be missed.

David Rimmer and David Stefanyshyn, Regina, 2005

Sheila Hamilton

Sheila Hamilton passed away earlier this week. I'd known her since shortly after I started working at the university, she was on staff at the dean's office and I always enjoyed bantering with her when I was in there. We always threw sarcastic comments back and forth, she had a mischievous streak and we had an understanding that came with a smile and a wink of the eye. I recall speaking to someone who thought that she was intimidating which confused me; she always felt like family. She had a complex sense of humor that ran deep through every conversation you might have had with her. She took her work very seriously, except when she didn't: that was the sort of inconsistency that made her a real character. The last time we spoke was at Sheila Petty's end-of-deanship event just over a year ago and even though she was already on medical leave, she looked and sounded in great spirits. She was really sweet and I miss her. Rest peacefully Sheila.

Jeannette Teece, Sheila Petty, and Sheila Hamilton, June 2014

Michele Sereda

Dear Michele, you were always so full of life. We spoke just a few days ago. You were amazing. You always had such insights into people and you saw the strengths in those around you and found ways to look beyond our weaknesses. I was honoured when you asked me to work on animation for your Alice in Wonderland many years ago; it was a thrill to be in the middle of the energy of your production. Your visits to my classroom and your work with my students was always so generous and enlightening, I valued every moment. I can't believe we were watching you and Paul on the screen just last night at the Filmpool to remember him. As I sat there, I wished you were there because I wanted to ask you so many things, Questions that will remain unanswered. I'm so glad we had a few chances to work together and wish we had many, many more. We are all devastated by this accident, you and the others, all gone in one collision.

Paul Gui Crepeau

I have just found out that my friend, colleague, and student (and at times even my mentor) Paul Gui Crepeau passed away yesterday. From what I understand, he'd been on his way back to Saskatoon from Regina, where he'd been shooting with students and meeting with professors the previous days, when he must have pulled over to the side of the road where he died. I am beside myself. Paul was so full of life. He pushed limits with everyone around him, inspiring and antagonizing simultaneously. He hated the idea of people not doing everything they were doing to their limits. He worked tirelessly (at least until 7pm, after which he would doze) and created a huge body of work in film over the past five years.

Paul came to Regina in 2011, wanting to reinvent himself after a long career in Vancouver theatre. He presented a sizable dossier that Christine and I reviewed to figure out how he would fit into our program. I have to admit that I had my doubts as previous older students had not stuck it out very long in the undergrad program. Already in his mid-50s at that time, it seemed strange that he would want to sit side by side with students less than half his age. However, he not only took classes, he took them with a vengeance. He was always the first to ask questions, the last to want to leave, and the most excited about discovering new ideas and approaches. He loved the good work students would do and often took me aside to tel me who he thought were the most promising and worthwhile talents in the room. He attended everything he could (we was a perpetual early, early, early riser and early to bed sort of guy), with coffee cigarettes, and conversation as he only vices.  He offered his help to others at least twice as often as he asked for help back. He brought the level of acting in at least a dozen student films up to a professional standard (is the voice of Frederick in the still unfinished "Sock-Vile" project).

It is difficult to believe he is gone. He touched so many people I know in so many positive ways. He will be missed.

There is a great obituary and discussion of Paul's theatre life in Vancouver from Mark Leiren-Young.

His film about himself having ADHD called "ADHD, A Gift" is on vimeo with password "paul". 

Jack Cowin

William and Gerald with Jack Cowin in 2013

I just heard that Jack Cowin passed away yesterday, following some surgery in the states. I'm shocked and saddened. I first knew Jack as a professor and then as a colleague at the University of Regina. Margaret had been taking a number of printmaking courses when I decided to return to school in 1992 to finish my own degree. As I was coming back as a more-or-less professional and adult learner, I was allowed to deviate from the prescribed program and take alternative courses, so I signed up for Jack's first printmaking course. I had been told that Jack had a way of giving great advice but rarely repeating it, so it was best to listen all the time and write things down as you hear them. These include his conclusion about what brand of gin to mix into your watercolour water so that it bonds with your printing ink, that your should "tear paper to deny the machine" as well as observations such as "Skiing is the only time you pay for gravity". There never seemed to be lecture notes, he just spoke from experience and passion. I broke every rule he named as a rule, but I also worked hard and my final project was more about quantity than quality. He seemed to respect that and even asked if I was interested in continuing in that program (I was not since I was just finishing my degree and applying to grad school).

My course notes from Jack Cowin are the only notes from a non-film course I have kept.

When I began teaching at the UofR in 1999, Jack was always a person I enjoyed talking to. I want to write that he was a friendly face, but quite often he wasn't. That didn't mean he wasn't engaged and interesting because he was. I recall carrying on with him during and following many meetings, sharing complaints about how everything was being mismanaged in one way or another and how the students deserve this or that. He really wanted the best for  his students and it riled him up when the students got the short end of any stick. He retired a few years ago without any party or attention so far as I heard. After a couple of  years of silence, he re-emerged over the past year with work being regularly exhibited and sold through the Slate Gallery as well as through the fishing store (where we bought a bird etching last year). I saw him at Slate just a few weeks ago but regrettably I didn't talk with him. He'll be missed.

Fom my notes in Jack Cowin's Art 270 course in 1992. I particularly respect his inclusion of item 7.