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ANDRIS TASKANS
He leaves behind to grieve his loving wife Katherine Bitney, devoted daughter Frances Bitney, son-in-law Andrew Bachand, and three grandchildren: Julia, Jasmine and Jessica Bachand; brother-in-law Tony Szumigalski, sister-in-law Carla Zelmer and niece Tsehay, and brother-in-law Mark Szumigalski and partner Elissa Stryjak; close friend Orion Morris, and a host of family and friends whose lives he has touched over the years. As well, he leaves to mourn his passing the Board of Directors and staff of Prairie Fire magazine for which he was a founder, and where he served as Editor for 40 years.
Andris lived his whole life in his beloved city of Winnipeg, where he was born and raised. Son of Latvian post-war immigrants, he studied religion at the University of Winnipeg, but found himself swept into the world of writing and publishing. He was a founder of the Manitoba Writers' Guild, Prairie Fire Magazine, and of what is now Thin Air, one of the premiere writers' festivals in Canada. He was a mover and shaker, an idea man, and he had a keen and unerring eye. He was a tireless supporter of emerging prairie, and Canadian writers, of diversity in the development and promotion of Canadian writing.
His great passions in life were his work at Prairie Fire, his family, gardening, dinosaurs, cooking, the world of comic books and superheroes, and the history of his home town, Winnipeg. His knowledge of subjects that fascinated him was extensive and he loved to give a long lecture on subjects that piqued his interest. Andris was well known for his dry wit and could never resist a good pun, sometimes spinning out a long story to arrive at a good one. His curiosity, his ability to be excited by new knowledge, were boundless.
Andris was well known for his kindness, generosity to all, his courteousness, his gentlemanly manner. He loved being a grandfather, a father, a partner-in-life. In later years, he became more deeply interested, and took increasing pride in his Latvian heritage, and recently contributed to a book on the history of Latvian immigrants to Manitoba.
A memorial service will be held at Cinematheque, followed by a reception at Platform Gallery, in Artspace, 100 Arthur Street in Winnipeg, on Monday, October 7 at 2:00 p.m., where he had worked for many years.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 03, 2019
Condolences & Memories (11 entries)
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Years ago I was recruited (cajoled?) to be the president of Prairie Fire’s first Board of Directors, and I worked closely with Andris for several years. He was a quirky, wonderful man, with an extraordinary disposition that allowed him to handle both the joys and frustrations of publishing a little magazine. I am delighted that he won the Western Magazine Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, and I hope that in retirement he was able to enjoy his family and his garden and to look back happily upon his many accomplishments. Requiescat in pace, dear man. - Posted by: James Conklin (Friend and associate on the Prairie Fire Board of Directors) on: May 31, 2023
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He made Prairie Fire one of Canada's best literary magazines. - Posted by: Louise Carson (Writer) on: Mar 31, 2020
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A wonderful human being has been lost to us. I remember many good times with Andris during my years on the board of directors of Prairie Fire Press. As president, I worked close with him and the staff, and cherish those memories. He was always witty, conscientious, and caring. He was always mindful of the greater literary community in this city and province. My heart goes out to his family and friends. He will be missed. - Posted by: Perry Grosshans (friend) on: Oct 04, 2019
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He was the very best. I’ll miss him enormously! - Posted by: Ariel Gordon (Friend ) on: Oct 04, 2019
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Frances, Kate and family - my most sincere condolences for your irreplaceable loss of an amazing man. There are no words to reflect such grief. - Posted by: Michele Geiger-Wolf (Friend) on: Oct 04, 2019
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A lovely tribute to a fine man. One simple but rare pleasure associated with Andris was driving through the streets of Winnipeg and having him recount from a seemingly inexhaustable store of historical anecdotes about the buildings and landmarks of the city. In his own unassuming way, he too was a landmark. - Posted by: Paul Morris (Friend and colleague from Prairie Fire) on: Oct 04, 2019
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Through Prairie Fire, Andris was instrumental in bringing Franco-Manitoba writing and writers to a larger audience. He ensured here was a francophone component in the Winnipeg International Writers Festival, which endures to this day through Thin Air. The bridge he wrought is greater than the structure that spans the Red. - Posted by: J.R. Léveillé (Indebted) on: Oct 03, 2019
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Kate and Frances and all your brood, my heart aches for you. Although his career, his acumen, brilliance, community service and articulate, generous, thoughtful, humorous, kind character should alone be enough to declare Andris a National Treasure. Andris was first and foremost a family man: May his tender loving regard for each and every one of you, may his spirit, and your myriad memories of him, sustain you. Both Dennis and I offer our most profound condolences, with love. - Posted by: Louise Jonasson (Friend) on: Oct 03, 2019
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We were neighbours growing up and Andy (as I knew him) was a really nice guy and one of the smartest guys I knew. I can see how he would be such a great partner, father & grandfather. He did have a huge collection of comic books and I would read them for hours. So long Andy, rest easy. - Posted by: Doug McLaughlin (Former neighbour) on: Oct 03, 2019
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We are all wondering what our lives will be like without Andris. He was so central to our family. We are all missing him now. - Posted by: Frances Bitney (Daughter) on: Oct 03, 2019
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These words about Andris are so true and moving. He will be so missed by his friends and family -- and by the literary community he served with great generosity. - Posted by: Sue Sorensen (friend) on: Oct 03, 2019