Although he began his career in the arts as a guitarist and song writer and continued to be active as a musician, Mr. Quarrington is best known for his contribution to Canada’s literary heritage. His novel Whale Music won the Governor General’s Literary Award for fiction in 1989. He also wrote King Leary, the winner of the 1988 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour that was later chosen as the winner of CBC’s Canada Reads competition in 2008. Mr. Quarrington was also well known as a screen writer and won three National Magazine Awards for non-fiction articles focussed on the great Canadian pastimes of fishing and hockey.

On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada, I extend my deepest condolences to Paul Quarrington’s family and friends.

http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=320940&Itemid=96

Nino Ricci, Author

I met Paul twenty years ago, just after the publication of my first novel, and so my friendship with him has coloured literally the entirely of my life as a writer. I realize now that over those twenty years, literary events came to be divided in my mind into two types: those where Paul was present, which were to be looked forward to, and those where he wasn’t, which were to be endured. It wasn’t that Paul was always fun or jokey or even paid me that much attention as that when he was in the room I felt I had an ally. I felt I was not alone. His presence gave a kind of shape to things, a kind of meaning, that would be hard to put into words: yes, there is this farce we have to put up with, it seemed to say, but let’s make the best of it. Then after, we’ll talk.

Sarah Cooper, The Saint Agency

Over the decades I’ve known Paul and his work, the thing I’ve always loved the most is his humane sense of humour: he never laughed at, but boy did he love to laugh with — his characters, his students, his friends and family, his audiences.

Anne Collins, Editor, Random House

Paul Quarrington brought humour, grace, energy and joy to the dark business of dying in the same way he brought those qualities to his remarkable fiction. He was one of our funniest writers and surreptitiously one of our most profound. I hate the fact that he has died but I am so glad he did it in the company of the people he loved best. I am so sorry for their loss, and deeply sorry that Paul won’t be able to sing us more songs or tell us more stories, both things he loved so much to do.

Dan Hill, Singer/Songwriter

Paul was one of the most inspiring, courageous, and creative human beings I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Everything I learned about playing guitar I learned from watching Paul slide his hands up and down the fretboard when I was 15 and he was 16. The high point of my youth was being a singer-songwriter duo with Paul, called Quarrington Hill. He was also the funniest man I’ve ever known: a character’s character.

Joe Kertes, Author/Dean of Creative and Performing Arts, Humber College:

Paul was a life force–so much so that, even when he got his terrible news, he fought against it as if it wasn’t there, until, like him and with him, we didn’t believe the illness could take him. His passing was, therefore, a blow to us all. In the end we had Paul Q. multiplied–the same Paul Q., but more so. We’ll miss him.

Antanas Sileika, Author/Director, Humber School for Writers:

Paul Quarrington was many things to many people, so I knew only a few versions of him.
Paul Quarrington was a man’s man, somewhat restrained in giving praise, and uneasy in getting it. But you could always count on him- I believe the old song, “Stand by Me” summed him up pretty well.
As a poker player, he was aggressive in a friendly way and therefore fun to play against.
As a cook he redefined the meaning of “man size.” He would make a mountain of chicken wings that lay higher than eye level if you were sitting at a table with him.
As a writer he was eclectic, interested in everything, from card tricks to storm chasers, from fishing to hockey to rock and roll.
He knew how to squeeze enjoyment out of life. When we arrived in Siena late one night before a writing workshop, we were sitting out on the square under a half moon, and when I asked him what wine to order he said this: “Look around you. You’re in paradise. Order the best wine you can afford.”
At that same workshop, I was solo but he was with a girlfriend, and they took me under their wings. Along with the writer Joe Fiorito and his wife, Susan Mahoney, we bought bottles of grappa to drink in the back of a can as we drove through the Tuscan hills, singing doo-wop songs.
People wanted to be around Paul. He attracted them, whether they weer poker players, hockey players, musicians, women, or waiters in restaurants. He had vitality, life force, and his loss takes away a little of that life force from all of us who were privileged to share moments of life with him.

Glenn Davis, Writer:

Working on a TV show with Paul, despite his mastery of the teleplay, he never seems fully of the TV world (good for him). But when you think about it, despite being a giant of Canadian literature (and he is), he never seemed fully of that world either. He never adopted the drab academy tone, instead he transcended so much of what we call Canlit with equal parts hilarity, invention, and wisdom. For all his deep love of the blues and wonderful musicality and right singing voice, he never seemed to be fully at home in the music world either. The truth is that Paul was too big, too expansive, too active, too funny, too full of gifts to give for any of these worlds to contain him. It only occurred to me, now that Paulie has left us, that maybe this world, our world, wasn’t big enough to contain him either. Wherever he’s gone, I know the fish are biting.

Michael Leclair, Producer, Arc Pictures:

Paul’s literary contributions to the game of hockey are a revelation. Logan in Overtime, King Leary and Original Six: True Stories from Hockey’s Classic Era are masterful stories with unique, captivating and unforgettable characters. Thank you Paul, for your inspiring words and for so brilliantly capturing the people, beauty and ruggedness that make up our game and our country.

Roddy Doyle, Author:

A great writer, a great musician, a great, great friend, and a dreadful poker player.

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Comments

33 Responses to “In Honour of Paul Quarrington”

Timothy Webber on January 21st, 2010 11:56 am

Hey Q…

There’s a fine trout rising at the head of the pool… guess you get first shot at him… Thanks for the words.
Rachel Wozney on January 21st, 2010 12:27 pm

Mr.Quarrington,

I have loved your words for many years, and will treasure them always. Say hi to the Howell brothers for me.
Beverley Buxton on January 21st, 2010 1:38 pm

When I read Home Game, I knew there was someone out there who could find something redemptive and lovable about just about anyone in the world–while being extraordinarily funny about it. I love your view of humanity, and I love how you have expressed in words and music. I feel lucky that you were around as long as you were, and I am deeply saddened that you are gone. Thank you.
Marguerite Annen on January 21st, 2010 1:50 pm

The Canuckiest of Canucks – he wrote what we were thinking about, poked fun at the things we found funny, and made our heartstrings vibrate sympathetically at the poignancy of life.
Bill McKetrick on January 21st, 2010 2:03 pm

Glad we got to share one last beer together in December at the SAC Bluebird North show. Sorry you had to leave the stage so soon……….
Carla Lucchetta on January 21st, 2010 2:11 pm

A very talented man, dynamic man, who gave much, possessed abounding courage and will be missed by the literary community in Canada, and by all the many lives he touched.
Les Booth (Ofieldstream) on January 21st, 2010 2:12 pm

I only knew of Paul by the few stories of fishing he wrote. And until a few moments ago, did not realize he was the singer, author of both song and book I actually had already enjoyed. How can I pass by such talent and not see; remember? Slow down is all I can say to myself. 56 was the age of my father when he died. I am just this year 57. 56 is too young for anyone to exit this life; especially one so talented as Paul Quarrington. So sad for all of us… he was just revving up. So glad -though- we have at least – a sampling of his talent and a glimpse into whom he would become. Sincerest condolences to the family.
Di Brandt on January 21st, 2010 2:35 pm

When the Pork Belly Futures went touring, they sometimes invited writers they knew in different cities to give readings as part of the set. That was how I got to share the stage briefly with this energetic band and Paul Quarrington, the amazing writer who was also their incredibly talented lead singer, a few years ago. What an exciting honour that was! What a generous, sparkly, fun guy he was! How he will be missed!
Matt Holland (writer, Moose TV) on January 21st, 2010 2:36 pm

It was a funny, edifying, unforgettable experience working with Paul. I admired his talent, his humour and his boundless interest in everything. He packed a lot of living into his too-short life: books, screenplays, music…magic. It’s a terrible loss for the artistic community, but a heartbreaking one to those who knew him best. My deepest sympathies go out to Paul’s friends and family.
Stephen Patrick Clare on January 21st, 2010 2:39 pm

Your unique voice will be missed by all of us here on the East Coast Paul. An honourary Atlantic Canadian.
Jack the bear on January 21st, 2010 3:11 pm

Some of us on the West Coast, those without strong TO ties perhaps, had a less detailed view of Mr. Q – I don’t recall the Pork Belly Futures ever toured here and it was a long time ago the Joe Hall & Co. came here and I don’t really know if he was in that ensemble at the time. So I observed him from a distance – more paper and celluloid than flesh –

I can say this – he and his friends (those who are managing/maintaining this site) have handled his passing with as much dignity and grace as I can imagine any who have felt such loss could.

You are doing him justice.
Jack the bear on January 21st, 2010 3:17 pm

addendum: I clearly have had my head in the sand regarding appearances here – my regrets.
bryan guy on January 21st, 2010 3:19 pm

i first met paul when i was running the midwich cuckoo
had so much fun with the continental drift at the isabella as well
martin and worthy et al
he made me laugh
not many could
stories about wolverine lodge
i still visit wolverine to this day
god bless paul quarrington
howie wiseman on January 21st, 2010 3:42 pm

we both connected through having music in common, both playing in bands and becoming writers, but you were the real deal, a novelist, and such a fine one. i loved king leary back in the day. and first meeting you at the centre where you always managed to stay above the fray, we shared much there, and the fact that our musician brothers also played together on occasion. we had a fun meeting with maury a few years back about a potential sit com, woulda been fun to work with you. last i saw you was at a lineup buying tickets for the fringe, that too we shared, both doing plays one year at least, and getting a kick out of getting stuff done, like playing a song for an audience, instead of having to wait the years it takes to get a movie made. you were always such a generous man, so down to earth, and so generous. i’ll miss you…
Carl Compton on January 21st, 2010 3:50 pm

What wit, talent, grace, bravery, inspiration… loss. He gave us all so much in such short time.
Mary Young Leckie on January 21st, 2010 4:39 pm

Thanks to Carson I got to know Dorothy. Thanks to Dorothy I got to know Flannery. Thanks to the beautiful Quarrington girls I got to know Paul. This years First Avenue Christmas was a sweet, wonderful Christmas gathering to remember. Standing in the living room singing away with a couple of glasses of wine in me I strayed from the melody into a little harmony. At the end of the tune Paul looked up at me with a Paul smile and nodded his approval; “Nice one”. It was the best compliment I have EVER got. So Paul, I’m nodding in approval at your life and your legacy. “Nice one”.
xoxoxo
Mary
Irene Duma on January 21st, 2010 5:08 pm

Paul,
I see all the stars now. Thank you.
Irene
Robert Craig on January 21st, 2010 6:28 pm

I was really shocked to learn today that Paul Quarrington had passed on. I got to know him through this bookstore where I used to work here in Ottawa, Food for Thought. He would come to the shop to promote his books, and he was really nice to me. Indeed, I remember when he did a promotion for “King Leary” at Ottawa’s Rainbow Bistro in 1988. Not only did he read from this book, as well as give a preview reading from “Whale Music,” but he also performed with his rock band at the time! It was quite an evening!

In his tribute to Quarrington, Dan Hill described him as “a character’s character.” I wholeheartedly agree!!!
Mike Nicholishen on January 21st, 2010 6:43 pm

“for that moment, I burned with the beauty of living.”
To me, that sums up P. Quarrington.
Peter Ellis on January 21st, 2010 6:50 pm

Thanks Paulie A man of great strength and character.He will be missed by us all
Fiona Delany on January 21st, 2010 7:53 pm

My heart goes out to Dorothy and the girls it has been many years since i met you all through my sister linda, i still remember you all so well, Paul & Dorothy made me feel so welcome in their home. I did meet Paul briefly on the boardwalk just over a year ago and it was so good to see him after over 11years, i still have a book which paul gave to me on my visit and will treasure it now and my fond memories of him. He will be sadly missed.x

My thoughts are with you all.x

Finola.x
Marc on January 21st, 2010 9:53 pm

Whale Music has been and still remains my favorite movie of all times. I have never watched any other movie as many times as I have this one.

Peace be with you Paul, thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
Lisa on January 22nd, 2010 7:33 am

Paul was such a major part of CanLit, it’s really hard to imagine how it will be without him. That being sad, it’s touching to see all the video tributes that are pouring in, and I also came across a written one from infloox that spoke to his influence on people. RIP.
Paul Quarrington, 1953?2010 | Quill & Quire on January 22nd, 2010 8:36 am

[...] A roundup of tributes to Quarrington has been posted on his official [...]
Pop Loser – Tributes for Paul Quarrington on January 22nd, 2010 9:56 am

[...] collection of tributes for Paul Quarrington, who passed away yesterday. possiblyrelated.★ Paul Quarrington Paul [...]
Eric on January 22nd, 2010 12:51 pm

I first met Paul while at CKCU-FM radio where he was promoting his book Hometown Heroes. Always genuine and generous ..
Judith Keenan on January 22nd, 2010 4:44 pm

Hockey Night in Canada Tribute to Paul Quarrington on Sat. Jan 23 features Bidini’s Rheostatics + King Leary – http://tinyurl.com/ycwjzcx – spread the word
S. Outram on January 23rd, 2010 7:36 am

So saddened to hear of Paul Quarrington’s passing. I greatly enjoyed his fiction, especially Life of Hope, King Leary – I don’t know why people always overlook them for Whale Music -maybe because it’s more American? I also knew of his performances with the Continental Drift ( the m ost overlooked band in North American history), and remember seeing him hanging out with his brother and some of the guys from the band at the clubs – they were a good-hearted bunch – a rare thing.

Somehow I see him skating along a beautiful frozen river in heaven, wearing well worn leather hockey skates.
He is gone from us much too soon.
StephR on January 23rd, 2010 9:10 am

I got to meet Paul through the Humber School for Writers where he was a mentor/instructor and I was a student.

One day during the 2008 Humber summer workshop, Paul was walking past when he overheard me talking to fellow Humber instructor Richard Scrimger about going back to school to for an MFA in creative writing. I had been obsessing over the idea for years; it was a constant source of distraction for me.

Paul, who had read some of my work, stopped, turned, looked at me with mild annoyance and said, “Don’t go back to school! Just WRITE your book!”
With that, he walked away.

Pretty soon after that I made a decision to go full steam ahead with my writing. Only time will tell if I made the right choice, but I have a feeling I’m on the right track.

I am so sad today, thinking about the big hole that has been left in the universe by his passing. I would have liked to have had a chance to know him better; but as I read these tributes I realize he made everyone feel that way, and that I would have had to get into a long, long line.
John L'Ecuyer on January 25th, 2010 8:40 am

In a short two years you became an easy friend I respect so much – After interviewing twelve cantankerous know-it-all writers (and a few nice but not right ones) Julie Lacey of Shaftesbury brought you in to meet for my series ‘Notebooks On Euphoria’ (Soon to become OUR series) – you looked like my Dad in his younger years, you were kind, funny and cool – I didnt think they made guys like you in Ontario – I was instantly sold – We were now co-writing (Although you did so much!)

You were challenging, hard headed but fair and sure and clear in your ideas and thoughts without the insecurity so many others have – you also had the confidence to work with surprises and changes which is uncommon and so needed here in our Canadian TV industry that is only comfortable in – how shall I say – ‘narrow banding as opposed to broad’ – it takes creativity to work that way

RARE!

I really pray we get this show all the way made so your words will echo in yet another discipline you mastered

Its been intense, living in your house for four months this summer, the show, the meetings, writing sessions on your boat, the diagnosis and the rapid decline last week – you taught me a lot and pulled me from a dark cloud I was lost in since my Mothers passing.

I love you Paul and I miss you like fucking crazy!!

I know I see you everywhere – in children pulled from the rubble in Haiti, in the survival of a feral cat I feed, and in my motoring on – thank you for being a real man

Thank you for inspiring me to work at that myself – if I reach half your level I would be thrilled and a king

I miss you Paul, I miss you

Love John
Harriet Waterman on January 25th, 2010 11:49 am

To Paul’s family and friends from his high school buddies at Victoria Park Secondary School. Memories go back to Brock University with our high school dance band, our group are now lawyers, doctors, engineers and successful international artists such as Paul was and Dan Hill is. He was always a bright light of happiness and talent, team player and just wonderful person. He will be greatly missed by a very large community.
maury chaykin on February 2nd, 2010 2:47 pm

Paul is a giant talent gentle and funny and he has left us much too soon.
Lilla Csorgo on February 5th, 2010 2:22 pm

Much has been said about Paul’s wide-ranging talent and the largness of his spirit – all of it very true. I want to add to that his enormous generosity as a mentor. I worked with him last year through the Humber writers’ program. Not only was his input invaluable, but he wrote a letter of recommendation for me between two hospital visits, one of them for a heart attack. I’m still flabbergasted.

Got something to say?

Paul Quarrington

Paul Quarrington portrait

In May 2009, Paul was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. From May 2009 to January 2010 he channeled his prodigious creative energy into the completion of many artistic endeavours, including his first solo CD release “Paul Quarrington: The Songs,” the third PorkBellys Futures CD release, his memoir “Cigar Box Banjo: Notes on Music and Life” for Greystone Books, the documentary film “Paul Quarrington: Life in Music” (BookShorts / CTV Bravo) and so much more.

His brave journey ended on January 21, 2010. He passed peacefully at home in Toronto surrounded by friends and family.

The Quarrington Arts Society has been established in honour of the inspiration Paul’s life and work continues to provide for artists who seek expression in many disciplines – for information about the organization and its mandate, please visit http://www.quarringtonartsociety.ca

Paul Quarrington was a musician, acclaimed non-fiction writer and novelist, an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, and an educator extra-ordinaire.

His novel The Ravine (2008) was long-listed for the Scotiabank Giller Prize; his previous novel Galveston (2004) was short-listed for the Giller. Quarrington won the Stephen Leacock Award for King Leary, a title that also won the 2008 Canada Reads competition. Whale Music won the Governor General’s Award for Fiction and was one of several of his novels already adapted or currently being adapted as feature films.

His non-fiction writing includes books on some of his favourite pastimes such as fishing, hockey and music; his memoir Cigar Box Banjo: Notes on Music and Life, is published by Greystone Books (May 29, 2010). He regularly contributed book reviews, travel columns and journalism to Canada’s national newspapers and magazines, winning or co-winning more than 30 Gold awards. His screenplays and story editing won many awards, including the CFPTA Indie Award for Comedy for the series Moose TV.

Throughout his career he was in high demand as a story editor for Canadian and American feature films and television. Paul’s filmmaking talents as writer / director are evident in his BookShorts film, Pavane (2008), which he adapted from his novel The Ravine; it was featured in the national tour of Moving Stories Film Festival, won a Remi Platinum Award for adaptation at Houston’s WorldFest, was juried in several other US film festivals, and was broadcast in Canada on Bravo!FACT Presents and CBC Reflections.

As a musician, he played in the band Porkbelly Futures for more than ten years; the band’s first CD Way Past Midnight was extremely well received, their self-titled second CD was released to even more popular acclaim; and a third release will be available in 2010. From 2008, Paul increasingly returned to the performance circuit as solo vocalist on guitar; his first solo CD release “Paul Quarrington: The Songs” is available June 8, 2010 from Cordova Bay.

Paul taught creative writing at Humber College for more than 20 years (in the program founded by Joe Kertes, Quarrington and colleague Wayson Choy); he also taught at University of Toronto. His seminars on adapting books for the screen and creative writing were constantly presented by institutions and festivals in across Canada.

He sat on the Board of Directors for the Fringe Theatre Festival, and was mentor to BookShorts Inc. since the company’s first short film release (2005) through to the company’s production of Paul’s biographical feature documentary film Paul Quarrington: Life in Music (Dir. Bert Kish, for CTV Bravo) which will be broadcast May 29 and 30, 2010. Nipissing University bestowed him a Doctor of Letters PhD (posthumously) in June 2010.

Quarrington enjoyed his ranking as an (extremely) amateur magician and would-be mariner. He is survived by his two children, Carson Lara and Flannery Quarrington.

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