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John KASTNER Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for John KASTNER
7 Entries
FHCI (& U. of T.) grad, went through school with John K.: LILLIAN (L.) MER
August 8, 2025
Condolences. Just learned of his passing (Aug. 8, 2025). Met his late brother
Peter Kastner but not the other family. There were some loose ends to share
which might not be of interest to the others but am currently overwhelmed.
Sincere regrets and sympathy.
Shaye Thompson
November 28, 2019
A brilliant, curious and compassionate human.
November 28, 2019
John Kastner and I were constant companions - sidekicks throughout the high school era. Hours of teen-talk, intelligent debate, comedic intervention and serious hijinx brought my bicycle repeatedly around to the magical East-European-story-book house at 227 Lonsmount, a place so teeming with creative cross-currents, that only trumpets and drums might provide a fitting, if silent, background score to the raucous and riotous goings-on there. An extraordinary family: joined at the hip, yet each proudly and profoundly unique, all possessed of prodigious talents.
John wanted to be an actor, we appeared together in JB at FHCI, went to shows,hung out around the CBC. When I expressed nerves about phoning a certain girl, John said Didn't you memorize what you're going to say to her? I thought: that must be how actors do it! One night we stole the motor scooter they had given to Peter when he was in Nobody Waved Goodbye. Neither of us had ridden or driven a Vespa; we were lucky.
John's mind never rested - he found that restful. It was a restless buzz-saw in search of causes, of people and ideas to buzz into. Nobody told John to buzz-off because his curiosity was real and boundless, his perspective was advanced, original. Part salesman, part comedian, part revolutionary, John could talk himself into or out of any situation, with a smile.
John's passing has left behind a great buzzing: a buzz of loss and grief; the buzz of remembering his intensity, his caring, his ambition, his discipline, his happy joyfulness. John's buzz has touched a great many people - it's not going away. Wherever there is a buzz in the air, John is there.
My sincere condolences go out to John's family, including his wickedly intelligent son Gabe; to all John's friends, co-workers, and supporters; and to Susan and Kathy, each of whom I couldn't help but be in love with, kaleidoscopically, through my teen years.
John was a great social artist and a great friend.
Jack Messinger
David Schatzky
November 26, 2019
We would meet from time to time as passers-by on Bloor St. Every time it happened John was warm, positive, open and engaging. He was a most talented documentarist, a deeply intelligent human being who fought for justice and advocated against stigma. Truly, a wise and caring man. My condolences to his family.
November 25, 2019
To john's family and friends,,
My deepest condolences on your loss. I didn't know John, but I knew his work.
November 24, 2019
My sincere condolences to the Kastner family. I was honoured to write and speak with John about the screening of Fighting Back at the hot docs festival. My brother was Michael Cluff the main character. John's presence in our lives at such a horrific time was welcomed and he did everything he could to honour my brother. A true gentleman who will be missed
sincerely,
Nancy McIntosh (Cluff)
Peter Lower
November 24, 2019
I had the privilege of working with John at the CBC and came to admire both his fierce intelligence and expansive humanity.
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