Obituaries - The Globe and Mail

Legendary drag queen Michelle DuBarry’s commitment to the LGBTQ community was unwavering

DuBarry died in her sleep July 1 at the Rekai Centres in Toronto

Michelle DuBarry, Canada’s oldest drag queen
Photo by Dave Hawe

Michelle DuBarry, Canada’s oldest drag queen
Photo by Dave Hawe

7 min read

Stephen Levitan loved deeply and well – and always stacked a dishwasher the right way
4 min read
When customers passed off her cooking as their own, Regina Grinstein took it as a compliment
3 min read
Joan Sinclair moved her wedding to a church where the vows did not note ‘honour and obey’
4 min read
Construction supervisor Roger Bula worked hard to be a better father than his own
4 min read

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Yesterday

Michelle DuBarry, Canada’s oldest drag queen
Photo by Dave Hawe

Michelle DuBarry, Canada’s oldest drag queen
Photo by Dave Hawe

Legendary drag queen Michelle DuBarry’s commitment to the LGBTQ community was unwavering

7 min read

July 23, 2026

New Brunswick businessman Gerry Pond., October 13, 2011. Paul Darrow for the Globe an Mail)

New Brunswick businessman Gerry Pond., October 13, 2011. Paul Darrow for the Globe an Mail)

Gerry Pond, New Brunswick technology pioneer, never stopped dreaming of ‘another big one’

6 min read

July 22, 2026

Marlys Edwardh, one of the lawyers for Donald Marshall Jr., whose wrongful murder conviction was overturned by the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal in 1983, holds a feather at a ceremony opening a native court at the Wagmatcook First Nation in Cape Breton. Nova Scotia has become the first province in Canada to open a superior court on a reserve that will incorporate Indigenous restorative justice traditions and customs. -Photo by Len Wagg MANDATORY CREDIT

Marlys Edwardh, one of the lawyers for Donald Marshall Jr., whose wrongful murder conviction was overturned by the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal in 1983, holds a feather at a ceremony opening a native court at the Wagmatcook First Nation in Cape Breton. Nova Scotia has become the first province in Canada to open a superior court on a reserve that will incorporate Indigenous restorative justice traditions and customs. -Photo by Len Wagg MANDATORY CREDIT

Marlys Edwardh, pioneering lawyer, helped turn wrongful convictions and make systemic changes

7 min read

July 20, 2026

(MAC1045-DEC.21,1998) - JEAN CHRETIEN AND EDDIE GOLDENBERG - Prime Minister Jean Chretien and top advisor Eddie Goldenberg at the Avitat Hangar in Toronto, ON on December 3, 1998. There is plenty of good news for Chretien according to the 15th Annual Maclean's Poll at the end of 1998. Forty-five percent of respondents say they are satisfied with his role, a marked achievement after five years in office; especially when constrasted to 37% for Mulroney after only one year during his time in the PM's chair. (MACLEAN'S PHOTO) (stf/ Peter Bregg)

(MAC1045-DEC.21,1998) - JEAN CHRETIEN AND EDDIE GOLDENBERG - Prime Minister Jean Chretien and top advisor Eddie Goldenberg at the Avitat Hangar in Toronto, ON on December 3, 1998. There is plenty of good news for Chretien according to the 15th Annual Maclean's Poll at the end of 1998. Forty-five percent of respondents say they are satisfied with his role, a marked achievement after five years in office; especially when constrasted to 37% for Mulroney after only one year during his time in the PM's chair. (MACLEAN'S PHOTO) (stf/ Peter Bregg)

Eddie Goldenberg, public servant and senior adviser to Jean Chrétien

7 min read

July 16, 2026

Canadian shot putter and discus thrower Jackie MacDonald sits on the grass in front of the Olympic village and training grounds in Heidelberg West, Melbourne on November of 1956. James Cooke/Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1370-608-08

Canadian shot putter and discus thrower Jackie MacDonald sits on the grass in front of the Olympic village and training grounds in Heidelberg West, Melbourne on November of 1956. James Cooke/Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1370-608-08

Jackie MacDonald stood out as a Canadian woman who dominated her sports

7 min read

July 15, 2026

English actress Joanna Pettet, UK, 31st March 1967.
(Photo by Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

English actress Joanna Pettet, UK, 31st March 1967.
(Photo by Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Actor Joanna Pettet was a mysterious darling of the stage and screen

8 min read

July 15, 2026

Ted Bolgar (born Tibor Polgar) at his home in Montreal on Dec. 1, 2024. He dedicated his later years to educating fellow Canadians about the Holocaust.

Ted Bolgar (born Tibor Polgar) at his home in Montreal on Dec. 1, 2024. He dedicated his later years to educating fellow Canadians about the Holocaust.

Holocaust survivor Ted Bolgar devoted his life to education

7 min read

July 14, 2026

David Cayley in Friesenheim, Germany at a meeting dedicated to 'Thinking Illich' 28 June 2024.

Photo credit: Babette Babich

David Cayley in Friesenheim, Germany at a meeting dedicated to 'Thinking Illich' 28 June 2024.

Photo credit: Babette Babich

David Cayley, radio documentary maker for CBC’s Ideas, never stopped reading

6 min read

July 13, 2026

(FILES) CONMEBOL president Nicolas Leoz (L) speaks with former Argentine footballer Antonio Ubaldo Rattin during a meeting at Leoz's country residence, El Arriero, in Ypacarai, 40 km from Asuncion, on January 28, 2009. Former midfielder Antonio Ubaldo Rattin, regarded as one of the greatest idols in Boca Juniors' history, died on July 11, 2026, at the age of 89, according to the club. (Photo by NORBERTO DUARTE / AFP via Getty Images)

(FILES) CONMEBOL president Nicolas Leoz (L) speaks with former Argentine footballer Antonio Ubaldo Rattin during a meeting at Leoz's country residence, El Arriero, in Ypacarai, 40 km from Asuncion, on January 28, 2009. Former midfielder Antonio Ubaldo Rattin, regarded as one of the greatest idols in Boca Juniors' history, died on July 11, 2026, at the age of 89, according to the club. (Photo by NORBERTO DUARTE / AFP via Getty Images)

Argentine player Antonio Rattín, whose defiance led to introduction of yellow and red cards, dies at 89

2 min read

July 12, 2026

Valery Fabrikant is taken to an ambulance by paramedics following the Concordia University shooting, Aug. 24, 1992.

Valery Fabrikant is taken to an ambulance by paramedics following the Concordia University shooting, Aug. 24, 1992.

Valery Fabrikant, who killed colleagues in Concordia University shootings, believed the world was out to get him

6 min read

July 11, 2026

March 11, 1997. Singer Tommy Hunter holding his guitar. Photo by Edward Regan / The Globe and Mail

COPYRIGHT VERIFIED. STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER. GLOBE AND MAIL CREDIT. CLEARED FOR ALL USES.

March 11, 1997. Singer Tommy Hunter holding his guitar. Photo by Edward Regan / The Globe and Mail

COPYRIGHT VERIFIED. STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER. GLOBE AND MAIL CREDIT. CLEARED FOR ALL USES.

Country music icon Tommy Hunter introduced several stars to Canadians

7 min read

July 8, 2026

Heather Cooper

Heather Cooper

Artist Heather Cooper designed the Roots logo, poster for inaugural TIFF

4 min read

July 5, 2026

Mr. Deck grew up in Fran’s, filling virtually every position. His family said that even when he moved into management, he never believed any job was beneath him.

Mr. Deck grew up in Fran’s, filling virtually every position. His family said that even when he moved into management, he never believed any job was beneath him.

Restaurateur Francis Deck ran the legendary Toronto diner chain Fran’s

7 min read

July 2, 2026

Singer David Clayton-Thomas on Nov. 4, 1976. The front man of jazz-rock pioneers Blood, Sweat & Tears died in Toronto on June 24 at the age of 84.

Singer David Clayton-Thomas on Nov. 4, 1976. The front man of jazz-rock pioneers Blood, Sweat & Tears died in Toronto on June 24 at the age of 84.

Blood, Sweat & Tears singer David Clayton-Thomas was famous for his gravelly, evocative baritone

8 min read

July 2, 2026

Dr Michael Klein, a board member for Canadian Doctors for Medicare outside the BC Supreme Court September 6, 2016 before the start of a new lawsuit demanding private health care in Canada. (John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail)

Dr Michael Klein, a board member for Canadian Doctors for Medicare outside the BC Supreme Court September 6, 2016 before the start of a new lawsuit demanding private health care in Canada. (John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail)

‘Renegade’ family physician Dr. Michael Klein fought to demedicalize childbirth

6 min read

July 2, 2026

(Left to Right) Lane Tredger, Margaret Commodore and Kate White on the night of the Yukon general election in 2025.

(Left to Right) Lane Tredger, Margaret Commodore and Kate White on the night of the Yukon general election in 2025.

Margaret Commodore, a residential school survivor, became a respected Yukon MLA

8 min read

June 29, 2026

Prime Minister Kim Campbell sits with Defence Minister Tom Siddon during a family photo of her new cabinet at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Friday, June 25, 1993. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Prime Minister Kim Campbell sits with Defence Minister Tom Siddon during a family photo of her new cabinet at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Friday, June 25, 1993. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Former Conservative cabinet minister Tom Siddon dead at 84

3 min read

June 24, 2026

Gerry Meehan in action playing for Buffalo Sabres, photo courtesy of the Meehan family.

Gerry Meehan in action playing for Buffalo Sabres, photo courtesy of the Meehan family.

NHL executive Gerry Meehan helped engineer the first defection of a Soviet player

6 min read

June 24, 2026

Canadian diplomat Gary J. Smith, centre, makes a presentation to Soviet officials during final negotiations in Moscow in July, 1972.

Canadian diplomat Gary J. Smith, centre, makes a presentation to Soviet officials during final negotiations in Moscow in July, 1972.

Hockey-loving diplomat Gary J. Smith helped organize historic 1972 Summit Series

8 min read

June 22, 2026

FILE - Economist Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006, is seen in his office in Washington, Friday, Oct. 18, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, file)

FILE - Economist Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006, is seen in his office in Washington, Friday, Oct. 18, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, file)

Alan Greenspan, longtime U.S. Fed chair who presided over boom before the 2008 financial crisis, dies at 100

7 min read

June 22, 2026

Skier Linda Crutchfield, 1963. Photo courtesy of Laurentian Ski Museum

Skier Linda Crutchfield, 1963. Photo courtesy of Laurentian Ski Museum

Hard-driving multi-sport athlete Linda Crutchfield represented Canada in two Olympics

5 min read

June 18, 2026

Musician and artist David Campbell became a fixture of Toronto's Indigenous music scene in the early 1970s.

Musician and artist David Campbell became a fixture of Toronto's Indigenous music scene in the early 1970s.

Guyanese-Canadian musician gave voice to the experiences of Indigenous people

6 min read

June 18, 2026

Roel Bramer of Amsterdam Brewing Co. on King St. in Toronto. Photo by John Morstad

Roel Bramer of Amsterdam Brewing Co. on King St. in Toronto. Photo by John Morstad

Entrepreneur Roel Bramer spiced up the nightlife of Toronto the Good

8 min read

June 15, 2026

Jamaican musician and record store owner Stranger Cole, who is credited with recording the first ever reggae record. He later moved to Canada and opened a record shop in Toronto’s Kensington Market area.

Jamaican musician and record store owner Stranger Cole, who is credited with recording the first ever reggae record. He later moved to Canada and opened a record shop in Toronto’s Kensington Market area.

Jamaican-born singer Stranger Cole helped establish Toronto as a reggae hot spot

7 min read

June 12, 2026

Monica Lewis, right, and her husband George Lewis.

Monica Lewis, right, and her husband George Lewis.

Businesswoman was a matriarch of Toronto’s Little Jamaica community

4 min read

June 11, 2026

Thoroughbred trainer Gil Rowntree (left, wearing a tan suit) spun a Hall of Fame career out of nothing.

Thoroughbred trainer Gil Rowntree (left, wearing a tan suit) spun a Hall of Fame career out of nothing.

Irreverent trainer Gil Rowntree was a four-time Queen’s Plate winner

7 min read

June 11, 2026

Hazaros Surmeyan. Photo by Sian Richards. Courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.

Hazaros Surmeyan. Photo by Sian Richards. Courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.

National Ballet dancer Hazaros Surmeyan imbued his roles with drama and warmth

6 min read

June 10, 2026

Hockey: NHL Finals: Montreal Canadiens Pete Mahovlich (20) in action vs Chicago Blackhawks Dennis Hull (10) at Montreal Forum. Game 1.
Montreal, Canada 4/29/1973
CREDIT: James Drake (Photo by James Drake /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set Number: X17664 )

Hockey: NHL Finals: Montreal Canadiens Pete Mahovlich (20) in action vs Chicago Blackhawks Dennis Hull (10) at Montreal Forum. Game 1.
Montreal, Canada 4/29/1973
CREDIT: James Drake (Photo by James Drake /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set Number: X17664 )

Summit Series veteran Dennis Hull found a niche as the NHL’s jokester

7 min read

June 8, 2026

Robert K. Irving, codirecteur de J.D. Irving, appara√Æt sur une photo distribu√©e non dat√©e. LA PRESSE CANADIENNE/Photo distribu√©e par la famille Irving (Cr√©dit obligatoire)

Robert K. Irving, codirecteur de J.D. Irving, appara√Æt sur une photo distribu√©e non dat√©e. LA PRESSE CANADIENNE/Photo distribu√©e par la famille Irving (Cr√©dit obligatoire)

Irving heir helped grow and diversify the New Brunswick family’s empire

8 min read

June 3, 2026

filmmaker Ron Kelly, 2018
Credit: Daniel Durazo

filmmaker Ron Kelly, 2018
Credit: Daniel Durazo

Canadian filmmaker Ron Kelly provoked the Establishment with his movies

6 min read

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