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Paul David Humphrey

September 22, 1959 — April 4, 2021

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Paul David Humphrey.

He left us on Sunday, April 4th, 2021 in Toronto, after a long battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). He will be dearly missed by his beloved wife of thirty years, Allyson McMackon, his devoted siblings John, Lesley, Mark (Lyndal), and Andrew, cherished nephews Luke (Chantelle), Lee, sister-in-law Jennifer (Lee) and brother-in-law Ian. Paul will be lovingly remembered by his Uncle Lawrence (Maria), cousins Isabella, Bruce, Joanie, Arland (Cassandra), Trevor, Sean, and Norman, extended family Elizabeth, Nicola, and Martin (Amy), and treasured friends.

Paul was born the third of five children in Vancouver, B.C. His compassionate nature became apparent when he wouldn’t close the box on a new teddy bear in case it might “smothercate”. The family moved to Toronto in 1967 where Paul attended Three Valleys Public School, handing in a grade six project on “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich”; he was not your average eleven year old. Paul intensely studied any subject that captured his interest, chess, music, Zen meditation, and loved the book series Lord of the Rings, deciphering the inside cover design so he could write secret notes in Runes. He won an Academic Achievement award at Milneford Jr. High School then moved to Pleasantview Jr. High where his love for theatre began, acting in Plays such as Arsenic and Old Lace. At L’Amoreaux Collegiate, Paul started to get passionate about music and concentrated on flute, also playing guitar and keyboards. Paul attended York University for theatre but was lured away in his first year to try his hand at singing in a band.

Paul became a founding member and lead singer of Blue Peter, one of Canada’s seminal new wave bands from 1978 – 1985. They released four albums including Falling which featured the popular single, “Don’t Walk Past”. Touring extensively across the country, the band developed a loyal following and enjoyed career highlights performing with Simple Minds at Massey Hall and participating in the Police Picnic in 1983. Paul went on to lead several ensemble projects including The Paul Humphrey Band, Monkey Tree, and Broken Arrow. In 2007 he released a solo album, A Rumour of Angels, which he recorded with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Sound design for theatre and film became Paul’s prime career focus and he worked with many distinguished companies and directors including The Hogtown Collective, Tarragon Theatre, Briefcase Productions, The Grand Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille, Theatre Direct Canada, Theatre Rusticle, and Soulpepper Theatre Company where he received a Dora nomination for Outstanding Sound Design for Glenn, directed by Diana LeBlanc in 2014. Sound design for Film and television include Teeth, A Craigslist Christmas, North of 60, and Leaving Turtleford, directed by Ron Kennell. Paul was the recipient of multiple grants through the Canada Council, Ontario Arts Council, and Toronto Arts Council. He received a Chalmers Foundation Professional Development Grant in 2017.

Paul was astoundingly intelligent with an ability to ‘take you in’ and reflect your truest nature either with a quip that would have you doubled over laughing, or with a gentle word of reassurance. He showed grace and equanimity with everyone he ever met and kept these qualities even in the face of such a challenging disease.

His family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Elizabeth Slow at the Movement Disorders Clinic and Dr. Tim Jackson at Toronto Western Hospital and his paramedical support team: Mark Snow (DMOP), Darryl Tracy (PT), Onyx Uriarte & Carlo Marcoccia (RMT), Mary & Emma Neilans and James McLelland at Rock Steady Boxing. Love and thanks to the extended support team/chosen family: Arland, Hume, Simon, Kelly, David, Sarah & Duncan, Edie, Michelle, Paula, Noah, Alexa, Jill, Michael D, Michael L, the neighbours at Rusholme and the very special co-pilot and canine nephew Tal the Dog.

But it is hard to speak of these things

how the voices of light enter the body

and begin to recite their stories

how the earth holds us painfully against

its breast made of humus and brambles

how we who will soon be gone regard

the entities that continue to return

greener than ever, spring water flowing

through a meadow and the shadow of clouds

passing over the hills and the ground

where we stand in the tremble of thought

taking the vast outside into ourselves.

~ Billy Collins, Directions

Donations in Paul’s name may be made to Toronto Western Movement Disorders Clinic, Brain Campaign, The Actor’s Fund of Canada or The Northern Lights Wildlife Society

To send flowers to the family in memory of Paul David Humphrey, please visit our flower store.

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