Perry Taylor
There is so much that can be said about a man who lived such a full life. Perry was born in Winnipeg in 1945 to parents Phyllis and Archie Taylor. As a child, Perry’s exuberant imagination filled his life with both fictional and real friendships. His kindness, and ability to connect to others made him a natural leader. His “gang” of childhood friends spent countless hours in the woods by the Assiniboine River at the end of Stradbrook Ave. in Winnipeg’ s old Fort Rouge, playing games of his devising.
His teen years in Windsor Park lead to new enduring friendships, and through model railroading, a deepened lifelong bond with his younger brother Blake. His much younger sister Susan admired him as a sweet and rather god-like creature, and their relationship is built on affection and a special connection through discussions of literature, film and art. Perry’s fertile life of the mind became more apparent during these years, as he produced works of visual art, played some blues guitar, wrote poetry, consumed vast amounts of literature, watched films and read philosophy, economics and political theory – all instead of doing his homework. Perry, like many true autodidacts, never fit into the school system.
His student years at the University of Winnipeg were spent at the Bentley Apartments in the old Victorian neighbourhood of Wolsley, an area that suited his love of visual character and charm.
He became a key figure in the Libertarian movement (classical conservative – not like today’s libertarians) and continued living a life of discussion, reading, thought, art and friendships, instead of homework. He nevertheless graduated and began his work life as both a movie theatre assistant manager at the fine old downtown Winnipeg theatres – the Gaiety and then the Capitol – and as a connoisseur and seller of fine cigars and pipes.
Connoisseur is how anyone would describe his relationship with food and drink – especially cheese, chocolate, and the occasional beer. He also became great lover of classical music with, among many, Zelenka being perhaps his favourite composer.
He fell in love with a talented painter and moved to Vancouver, where he lived between Chinatown and Commercial Avenue Drive, a street close to Perry’s heart.
It was at that time that Perry began teaching at Vancouver Community College. It was the first job he had that gave him a real opportunity to apply his brilliant mind, creativity, kindness, humor and ability to connect to people. Many of his lifelong friends are colleagues from the VCC, and they never forget to praise him as their mentor, writer of curriculum, and master teacher. He left a legacy of grateful students and colleagues to whom he gave so much.
Shortly after he began teaching Perry met his wife, artist Jane Gibney. They shared a unique bond for 39 years, first in the West End and then later on Wall St. in the East End of Vancouver, by the docks near Commercial, with cherished dogs Hornby and Kayo. Perry rode his Bianchi bike to work, practiced his brilliant teaching, and wrote fiction while Jane painted. They were happy.
Eventually Perry retired and they moved to their beloved Magic Lake house on Pender Island. That is where Perry began teaching in Simon Fraser University’s Liberal Arts and 55+ Program, where he developed and taught many courses, among them; “The Haunted Heroine a Brief History of Gothic Romance”, “How to Talk to conservatives”, “How to Discuss Books”, “Classical Liberalism”, “B Movies”, “Doing Philosophy Yourself”, “Democracy Beneath the Surface” and was at the time of his illness writing the curriculum for a course entitled “Why Study the Liberal Arts?”
Sadly, Jane Passed away from cancer in 2021. It hit Perry very hard, but he continued teaching and had Jane’s cherished dog Oscar, until last year when Oscar passed.
Perry became ill with cancer in July 2024, and his many friends stepped up to help and support him as he tried to complete his new course. The degree to which he was loved in his community was both remarkable and deeply touching.
Some of the friends that helped him especially during his illness are Jim and Joanne Peacock, Richard and Lorna Stecenko, Mary and Doug Steelberg, Jane’s sister Diana Consell, John Shayler, Doug Munday and Jackie Ritchie Munday, Ted and Shannon Hougham, Cupid and Darlene Cruz, Priscilla Maki, Perry’s sister-in-law Mimi Raglan, nephew Sean Taylor and brother Blake.
Perry passed away peacefully with family and friends at his side at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, on Friday February 14.
Perry Taylor 1945-2025
It was 1970 at the Gaiety Theatre in Winnipeg, Manitoba when Perry hired me for the candy and popcorn bar position—just in time, as I was out of funds on my return trip from New York City and not yet ready to go back to Vancouver. During those cold winter months, Perry invited me into his beautiful old English apartment, which he shared with his friend Edwin. As we dated, I was enchanted by the constant background of Stravinsky and Delius drifting through the rooms, the gentle clink of teacups, and our cozy lunches at Salisbury House. I loved that the egg sandwiches came studded with diced olives with their briny flavor. On Valentine’s Day, Perry surprised me with a red velvet cake, its sweetness lingering long after the last bite. I was in love.
After several months together, spring arrived. I returned to Vancouver to attend art school that fall. Over the coming months, many letters passed between us, carrying words of politics and history, not love and longing. That summer, Perry came out to Vancouver for a visit.
In hindsight, I was oblivious to what may have cooled his interest.
As the 4 years of drawing, painting, and sculpting went on, I found myself yearning for that tall, slender, storytelling man. I wrote letters in hopes of relieving my yearning, but no replies came. Even though there were other boys during those years, my heart remained heavy, always thinking of Perry. Four years later, after countless unanswered letters, I knew I had to return to Winnipeg to see Perry again—to try and convince him to come to Vancouver.
To my joy and surprise, Perry agreed and came to live with me in my White Rock Studio in the summer of ’74. We swam on warm afternoons, ate fresh crabs on Wednesdays, and filled our days with art and poetry—he wrote, and I painted. The gentle sound of classical music played in the background, mingling with laughter and the scent of salt air. We were in love.
Eventually, the necessity of earning a living took us to Hawks Ave. in Chinatown, Vancouver, where Perry found work at Gastown’s tobacco shop. Seven heavenly years followed, marked by visits to Sikora’s Classical Records, the atmosphere alive with the hum of discussion and the notes of symphonies, and shopping trips in Japan Town. Perry had an office on the second floor, while I built a studio in the attic of our semidetached row house. The house was always filled with visiting guests, and Perry’s wonderful storytelling—he never said a negative word about anyone; instead, he animated every tale with dancing arms and hands, filling the rooms with laughter.
In 1983, I left Vancouver to secure a gallery in Toronto. Soon after, Perry met Jane. Perry was my first real love. He taught me to believe in words and in myself. I miss his stories, his humor, the sound of classical music drifting through what was our home, and his genuine spirit. Even though I have not been part of Perry’s life for many years, when I think of Vancouver, I think of Perry. Now, I feel a part of me is missing.
Rest in Peace, Perry.
You were loved by me and many others.
I worked with Perry at Vancouver Community College for many years. He was a wonderful teacher, colleague and friend. It’s comforting to know that so many of his friends from those days were with him to the end.
I knew Perry well. He and my wife, Barbara, who I lost to cancer in 2012, were very close colleagues and friends. We became close as we socialized a lot. His favourite word was “Egad”. How typical of Perry. Wonderful sense of humour, very supportive and a very caring man. I will miss his friendship.
I did not know you Perry I am moved by your live..I felt compelled to just say we all pass through this live and yours was that which I would have loved to have known..Peace and comfort to all your live touched..
Respectfully Marilyn