ANTONIO (TONY) TASCONA, C.M., R.C.A.

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ANTONIO (TONY) TASCONA, C.M., R.C.A. Tascona, Antonio (Tony), C.M., R.C.A. at Victoria General Hospital on Sunday, May 28, 2006 in his 80th year. Beloved life partner and best friend of Doreen Millin. Loving father of Cathie (Patrick Payne); Marty (Callie); Chris (Faye Miron). Proud grandfather of Dominic and Daniella; Hannah June, Antonio and Hayley May; Michael and Isabella. Caring and fun-to-be-with stepdad to Sarah Millin and Deirdre Millin, (Jeff Katz and daughter Naomi). Predeceased by his beloved son Larry and 11 siblings including his sister Connie (Scaletta), and brothers, Ross and Sam of Winnipeg. He is survived by brother Pepin (Edna) of Barrie, ON; his sister Irene (Boyle); numerous nieces and nephews and his first wife May Tascona. Tony has touched the lives of many people across Canada, not only with his art but with his generosity of spirit and his zest for life. These attributes and passion for nature were inherited from his Sicilian parents. Working in the aerospace industry early in his career fuelled his fascination with experimentation, materials and precision. He was one of the first artists in Canada to paint on aluminum, counterbalancing the smooth cool surface and his geometric imagery with a sophisticated pastel palette. He also painted on canvas, cast resin sculpture, produced silkscreen prints, and most recently, ink drawings. Other artists marvelled at his continuous range of productivity and his ability to make meaningful relationships with his clients. Only hospitalization prevented him from working. He received many public commissions including: the Centennial Concert Hall murals, the Millennium Library Reading Courtyard sculpture, stabiles in the lobbies of the Manitoba Law Courts, the St. Boniface Research Hospital and the Freshwater Institute. Few Canadian artists have been honoured by a permanent retrospective of their work such as his at the Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba. The Winnipeg Art Gallery mounted a retrospective of his 50 year oeuvre in 2001. He was the only Manitoban included in the 2005 National Gallery of Canada exhibition, the 60's in Canada. and earlier this year the Franco Manitoba Cultural Centre hosted Transformations 32 recent drawings, as part of his 80th birthday celebration. The opening attracted devoted clients and colleagues from across Canada; the National Gallery's Director Pierre Theberge participated in the opening ceremonies. Tony was active in the development of the arts in Canada and he served on the boards of the Royal Canadian Academy, National Gallery of Canada, The Canadian Conference of the Arts, The Winnipeg Art Gallery and CARFAC Canada. This contribution and his constant support of Manitoba charities, in concert with his artistic achievements, garnered him an honorary LLD from the University of Winnipeg in 1994 and the Order of Canada in 1996. His works can be found in permanent collections across Canada including the National Gallery of Canada, the Confederation Centre, the Canada Council Art Bank, The Art Gallery of Ontario, The Winnipeg Art Gallery, The Glenbow Museum, the Norman Mackenzie Gallery and the Greater Victoria Art Gallery as well as numerous corporate and private collections. His archives are held by the University of Regina and digital images are available at the CCCA Website (Centre for Contemporary Canadian Art). A junior baseball and hockey player, he was inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002 and his 1948 Brandon Grays Baseball team is to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this weekend. Following cremation, a private extended-family memorial service has been held. Per Tony's request, a wake will be held at a later date. The public are invited to attend the Tony Tascona Memorial Exhibition at St. Boniface College in early September, 2006 Over the years Tony was blessed with a wonderful team of Manitoba healthcare professionals and the family wishes to thank Dr. Robert Kroeker, Dr. Ian Maxell, Dr. Wayne Van Horn and the staff of the Victoria General Hospital. Memorial donations may be made to the Tony Tascona Art History Bursary University of Winnipeg Foundation, University of Winnipeg, Wesley Hall, 515 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, 204-786-9995. The Desjardins Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements, 233-4949 or toll free 1-888-233-4949.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 03, 2006