Data Source

Vertical Files

Material Type

Person files

Date Range

198- 2021

City

Toronto

Province / State

ON

Country of Publication

Canada

Coverage

Canada / US

Notes

Playwright ; "In the outhouse" (play) ; Journalist (Body Politic)

Jean or, Ti Jean, as he was affectionately known to his family grew up in Haywood, Manitoba the eighth of 12 children. He developed a passion for reading, writing and music at a very young age and these remained an important focus throughout his lifetime. It was during his last year in high school that he wrote and produced his play “The Well” which won the gold medal at the Divisional Drama Festival. The adjudicators described it as original, brilliantly written and executed. Jean graduated from St. Claude Collegiate and went on to attend the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Manitoba. Jean was a gifted pianist. He composed his own music mostly for his own pleasure but periodically he would perform it much to the delight of friends and family. Jean relocated to Toronto late in 1980 where he bloomed creatively, personally and professionally. He was hired as an Editor at Health Find 211 at its inception. He remained with the organization as it evolved eventually assuming the role of Editorial Manager. Jean described his work as both challenging and gratifying and he loved it. Jean believed in the power of communities and grass roots movements. He was a strong advocate for the rights and needs of the LGBTQ community. While Jean was a devoted Torontonian he cherished his home province of Manitoba. He routinely returned to Manitoba every summer where he would reconnect with family, friends and of course his cherished sunsets. His gentleness and thoughtfulness belied a fiercely competitive nature particularly when playing Scrabble. He had a wicked sense of humour, a keen intellect, the best laugh ever and the most beautiful sparkling blue eyes. He is gone too soon and he will be sorely missed -- obit.basicfunerals.ca

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