Survived by siblings Sharon Griffith (John) and Ken Krawford (Gail) and their families, and a myriad of friends. Predeceased by parents, Stanley and Lillian. Gary attended Wayne State University, Detroit, and began his acting career at the Stratford Festival in 1960. With his winnings from the Guthrie Award for the most promising young actor, he studied theatre in London, England. He returned to Canada and had adventures flying in small planes to various theaters in the north, then spent time in Halifax, roasting lobsters on the beach, and starring in the Neptune Theater’s inaugural season. Off to New York, he played Matt in the Fantasticks off-broadway, and the juvenile lead in several Broadway productions. Gary spent many years crisscrossing America by train, famously playing Bobby in Company opposite Elaine Stritch. He was justifiably proud of the recording of his final performance of Being Alive at The Kennedy Centre. He spent some time in Hollywood and hobnobbed with the stars, but he returned to New York, then Toronto, joining many tours and several seasons at the Shaw festival, and even back at Stratford, where it all began. Gary was a storyteller and raconteur to the end. In his later years, he shared his life on stage in cabarets all over the city. Gary had a life well lived and will be sorely missed. We know he’s enjoying a cigarette and martini, and singing cabaret with the angels.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Actors Fund of Canada https://afchelps.ca/donatenow/
Funeral Details
Show location:
Celebration of Life
Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Centres
375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON, CANADA, M4T 2V8
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Saturday, 19 Dec 2020 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Info: Due to current COVID-19 gathering restrictions attendance will be by invitation only. The service will however, be livestreamed for public viewing. Please see link and join the live webcast at top of the obituary starting at 1:50 p.m. on Sat. Dec. 19, 2020