JEFFREY FUNNELL

Condolences & Memories (2 entries)

• I met Jeff in 1972. I immediately knew he was special. We collaborated on three or four confrontational video tapes shot in NYC, Banff, and Calgary. He was a joy to work with and I have to admit, the brains of our collaboration I cannot speak highly enough both about him as a person and his own creative work. He was, at the same time, Canada's' best and most unappreciated artist. I miss him. - Posted by: John Will (Friend) on: Aug 17, 2025

• Jeff came into my life as a person with acquired aphasia, post stroke. Aphasia is a language disorder which hides competence. The person with aphasia knows what they want to say but they can't find the words to say it. We worked together for two years. Over time I came to know Jeff: his gentleness, his helpful nature, his quirky sense of humor . I miss him. During our first months I would start our session by asking if there was anything troubling or worrying him, I would give him a special pen and encourage him to draw his response. One time he drew a picture of two older people, (his loving grandparents I was told), another time he drew a clock, and another time, he drew a picture of a women with a pointy nose and glasses. It was me! I scolded him and made him smile just a little. He wasn't a big smiler. During our last therapy visit, he showed that he wanted to go outside in the pouring rain. He loved to get his wallet, his cap and coat and go for a bumpy ride down the side walk, maybe go to the Sally Ann and end with coffee. I wish we had done that. Instead, I was drilling him on what he wanted to do with his art. Did he want a show, who should do what, how should they do it? Finally he pushed himself away from the table, gave me a wave and headed back to his room. I gathered up my notes, followed him and sat beside him. He held my hand and looked away. We sat quietly. In a few days he was gone. Jeff never did recover his words. He seemed to come to terms with this. There was so much love in his life from friends and family. They stood by and met him in place, to the very end. - Posted by: Allison Baird (Speech-Language Pathologist) on: Dec 05, 2024