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BORN
1949
DIED
2020
Gregory Zelinski Obituary
Gregory Allan Zelinski, 71, Red Rock, died peacefully the morning of Saturday, July 11, 2020, after a short illness at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital. Greg was born April 12, 1949, in Thunder Bay and was a lifelong area resident. He was a passionate artist specializing in watercolour consisting of nature scenes and life portraits. The gift of Greg's style provided the ability to accurately capture the detail, light and texture of his subject material. His portraits brought Northwestern Ontario scenes to the forefront and his paintings found homes throughout the continent. His talent won him many awards including a Canadian Council Arts Award, two Ontario Arts Council Awards, and two People's Choice awards. He was a constant feature in newspapers and magazines including that of “Watercolour Magazine.” Greg received his academic training at the Univerity of Manitoba graduating from the fine arts program in 1973. Greg did not conform to trends and believed art should be accesible to everyone. Throughout his life he taught hundreds of students at Confederation College, 55 Plus Center, and privately. His classes, artwork, kindness, encouragement and patience affected the lives of all he mentored. He is survived by his children Leonard, Gayle, Patrick, and Edward, his sister Eleanor Langevin (Ray), and ex-wife Diane Voss. He leaves behind four grand-daughters and many nieces and nephews as well as his special friend Linda Sharp, her daughter Jessica, and family. He is also predeceased by parents Edward and Mary and brothers Robert (Joan) and Gerald. Greg once said “what it all comes down to in life is love.” His art and life reflected this belief in every way. There will be a visitation at Greg's home in Red Rock on Wednesday, July 22. Call 1(403)690-8070 for details.
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Memories and Condolences
for Gregory Zelinski
30 Entries
Anita Mc Donald
December 27, 2020
I have just been told of Greg's passing. He was my art teacher and inspired me to continue. A kind and gentle soul who always gave such encouragement to his students.
Anita McDonald
Robert Shubat
November 25, 2020
I only met Greg on two occasions. He didn't know me from Adam but the first time I naively talked to him about this watercolors and how I really liked this art. Greg made me feel like I was the most important person around him. He truly appreciated our conversation and I felt like I was better for meeting him.
The second time meeting him I was able to buy him a beer and to tell him how much I cherished one of his watercolors hanging in my living room.
My deepest condolences goes out to his entire family and friends. This area has lost a great man and a very talented artist.
Carole Lapointe
October 27, 2020
Greg was the kindest and most encouraging art teacher I’ve had. He always had a positive comment for all of us struggling artists. I am very saddened by his passing and not knowing about it until recently. My sincere condolence to his family and close friends
Anonymous
July 23, 2020
A beautiful parable Greg once shared with us:
The Mexican Fisherman Story
An American businessman was standing at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish.
“How long did it take you to catch them?” The American asked.
“Only a little while.” The Mexican replied.
“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” The American then asked.
“I have enough to support my family’s immediate needs.” The Mexican said.
“But,” The American then asked, “What do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, senor.”
The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds you buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats!”
“Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the consumers, eventually opening your own can factory. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But senor, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “About 15-20 years.”
“But what then, senor?”
The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO (Initial Public Offering) and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!”
“Millions, senor? Then what?”
The American said slowly, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos”
Greg’s kind and humble presence will be forever missed
Sylvie Mahler
July 22, 2020
Greg was a wonderful man. He was talented, kind and patient, passionate for his life long journey through art and the teaching of it. He taught me everything I know about Watercolour painting, and I owe Greg for flaming my love of art and the creation of it. He will be missed by the whole community. I will miss his gentle heart.
Gerry Simpson
July 21, 2020
Although I did not know Greg on a personal basis, as an art high school teacher for 30 years I had a great respect for his extreme artistic talents. I was never ceased to be amazed at his beautiful water colour paintings, a talent that he was truly blessed with. May it give his family some solace knowing, that he is now painting, side by side, with many many other historically and world famous painters, long gone before him. Heavenly paint in peace forever Greg.
Gerry Simpson
July 21, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Christine Jensen-Bode
July 21, 2020
Condolences to all Gregs family. Greg was a kind, sensitive man with a great painting talent. His Water Colour paintings reflected his visual awareness and aptitude with brush and paints. His art and kindness to others will be missed.
Patricia Izsak
July 21, 2020
My sincere condolences to all on this tragic event of Greg's passing. As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Greg touched the lives of so many people through his art - myself being one of them. His passing will leave a huge void in our art community.
MaryAnn Bryenton
July 21, 2020
He was a great artist and mentor. The art community will keep him in their thoughts and hearts forever. R.I.P. Greg.
Manfred Klein
July 20, 2020
July 20,2020
My condolences to Greg's family.
I enjoyed Greg's classes at the 55+ centre for many years and his teaching me the art of watercolour painting will be with me for the rest of my life.
Thank you, Greg. I will miss you. R.I.P.!
Greer Mallon
July 20, 2020
Thank you Greg for all the wonderful Art lessons you gave to us. I spent many years watching you spread your brush around each picture you created. The best times in Portrait classes Fridays with our small group. We will all miss you dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with all your family.
Tine Schrijvers
July 19, 2020
I have known Greg for years, and even though we didn't see each other often, when we did it was like no time had passed. A meeting would usually move into a conversation about what we were each currently doing art wise. What a kind and gentle man he was and an incredible watercolur artist. He was much too young to leave this world. He will be missed by so many who had the good fortune to know him or take a watercolour class from him. I will miss him and find it hard to fathom that I will never have a chance meeting and conversation with Greg again. My heart goes out to his family and close friends.
John Currie
July 19, 2020
Although we didn't stay close in later years we used to walk to school together from grade 3 to 6 and I moved to the country. I took some courses from him in the last few years. we remembered each other from those days. My condolences to his family. He was a good man shared a lot of his knowledge with many people. Grateful for that RIP Greg
Frank Poulter
July 19, 2020
To family and friends of my cousin Gregg, sorry to hear about your loss.
David Clark
July 18, 2020
Im sad to see Greg go. I remember him as a quiet and kind man. He invited me once to be a subject at one of his college art classes. I felt special and enjoyed the occasion. My sincere condolences to the whole family but especially Lenny- my great childhood friend.
Jack Witiluk
July 18, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gregs Family during this hard time. I went through St Andrews School with Greg where he would always draw hockey pictures of goalies stopping shots from the blue line. They looked so real. Such a nice guy, will never forget Greg.
Jack & Barb Witiluk
Southpaw
July 18, 2020
e had a life shared in art and our painting, he in his style and types and me with my years of work in a different medium. We were friends for many years and liked to share stories of work and all the different people we met threw the years.
Im sorry to c him go being younger than myself. Now he can paint to his hearts content with no deadlines again. Good bye. Uwillbe missed.
Kathy and Tim Chappell
July 18, 2020
Our sincere condolences to Gregs family. A very talented artist and a very generous one as well. He donated beautiful art work to the Live from the Rock Folk Festival to assist with fundraising. Tim and I had the privilege of visiting his home to see his work. He has left behind a beautiful legacy.
Stephanie Siemieniuk
July 18, 2020
So very sorry to hear this news. Greg was a very kind and compassionate person, an extremely talented artist and I am so grateful for all he taught me.
Carl Sodergren
July 18, 2020
Very sorry to hear this sad news, saw him almost every day on his walk downtown Red Rock, sympathies to his family from Carl and Linda Sodergren.
Thelma Lind
July 18, 2020
My deepest heartfelt condolences to the family and friends! Greg was one of a kind and an awesome artist. He will sadly be missed by many in the art world. RIP my artist friend! Thank you for the wonderful memories! God Bless!
Al Nalezyty
July 18, 2020
Heartbreaking to lose an old friend. We worked together as summer students at Provincial Papers, played together on the Red Sox and hung together in between. My suggestions for changes to his works were always listened to and immediately ignored. His quiet demeaner and soft spoken voice belied a great sense of humour. I can only imagine the scene he is painting right now. Farwell my friend...say hi to Bill as you throw the ball around up there!
Jeanetty Jumah
July 18, 2020
Greg was a kind and amazingly talented individual who shared his work for many years at Folklore Festivals with the many visitors who had the pleasure to meet him. Not only has that allowed people to have treasures in their homes created by Greg, but his interactions gave young and old the opportunity to meet and speak with an artist who truly loved his work. I warmly remember seeing some youth speaking with Greg and Donna Heisholt who shared a Folklore spot with Greg for so many years, and he had time for them. We will miss Greg but many of us have the beauty of his artistry in the works we have displayed in our homes. Thank you Greg. You are a gem. Jeanetty Jumah and the Folklore Festival Committee Members and Folklore visitors.
Don and Lori Kivi (Ainsworth)
July 18, 2020
Greg was always such a kind person and an exceptional artist.
He will be missed. Sending our thoughts and sympathy.
Don and Lori Kivi
Ed Zelinski
July 18, 2020
Well we are cousins, it has been a long time between visits.
I still remember him well.
Ed
Rick Lynch
July 18, 2020
Sorry for loss family. your Dad and I where good friends for 68 years
Dennis Martell
July 18, 2020
First met Greg when we were playing with the Marrs. Junior hockey tem. Amazed me that while others were playing cards or chatting on the bus on road trips he was busy sketching. He had a unique talent for remembering details. We also played old timers hockey together years later and I too took classes from him at Con College and then the 55+ center. He was a good friend, a patient man an excellent teacher and an unbelievable artist. A true loss to his family, friends and the Art world. He will be missed
Ab filipovic
July 18, 2020
One of the nicest men I knew...good friend, great artist, our prayers and thoughts are with your family....Martha and Ab
Deb Rothschild
July 18, 2020
My condolences to his children and to Linda.
Greg was a great guy, a childhood friend who was a gentle soul. His talent as an artist will live on. He has touched many lives so profoundly with his art and dedication to his craft.
We will miss you . May you rest now.
Deb Rothschild
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