Edwin Robert Procunier

PROCUNIER, Edwin Robert…
At Victoria Hospital, London on Monday, September 26, 2011, just five days before his 84th birthday. A true Renaissance man, Ed was passionate and deeply knowledgeable about theatre, music, opera, visual arts, literature, history and education. He spent much of his career as a teacher, first at the high school level and then as a university professor. Although proud of his United Empire Loyalist stock (his father, William Procunier, was from Southwestern Ontario), Ed was born in 1927 in Lamaline, Newfoundland. Ed was equally proud of his Newfoundland heritage, through his mother Minnie (née Pugh). His father was an outport physician who died when Ed was only 3. Ed and his older brother George were raised in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, by Minnie, a school teacher. When Ed was 15, Minnie brought Ed and George to Ontario, so that Ed could attend university which, in those days, wasn’t possible in Newfoundland. Ed took Honours English at University of Western Ontario, his MA at Queen’s University, and his teacher’s certificate at the Ontario College of Education, University of Toronto. He spent 11 years teaching English at Brantford Collegiate Institute, and the remainder of his career as a professor of English and Theatre Arts at Althouse College, UWO. He was devoted to his students, passing on his infectious love of literature, history and the arts. He wrote 27 plays, which have been produced across Canada, on CBC Radio and as far afield as Ireland and Japan. He directed countless stage productions, and adjudicated theatre festivals throughout North America and Europe. He founded the London Community Players, and was past President of Theatre Ontario and the St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre. He attended concerts and operas all over the world, and lectured for the Canadian Opera Company. He spent thousands of hours prowling book stores and art galleries, and amassed an astonishing art collection that has been bequeathed to The Rooms, Newfoundland’s public art gallery. Ed is survived by his brother George Procunier, his foster son Peter Caldwell, and son-in-law Stephen Mader, as well as two generations of former students, for whom Ed was beloved and well-remembered. A Memorial Celebration will be held Saturday, November 19, 2:00pm, at The Palace Theatre, 710 Dundas Street E, London, where “Procunier Hall” will be dedicated in Ed’s honour. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to London Community Players, 710 Dundas Street E, London ON N5W 2Z4, to purchase seats, lighting and sound equipment through the Procunier Hall Enhancement Fund. Arrangements entrusted to the A. Millard George Funeral Home, London 519-433-5184. Online condolences at www.amgfh.com