A Man You Don’t Meet Every Day.
March 5, 1957 - January 1, 2025
As the new year dawned, the world held its breath and Kevin Whitaker exhaled his last. Father, brother, lover, friend, colleague, thinker, doer. Calm and steady, with trademark grace, Kevin died naturally at home in North Hatley, Quebec, surrounded by friends and family singing “A Man You Don’t Meet Every Day.”
Daughter Claire (Moliner) and son Luke (Moliner) were the apples of his eye, and he made sure they knew it. Always present for them, his quiet guidance engaged them in travel, food, ideas, art, and music.
Joined at the hip, Marie (Moliner) and Kevin’s love for each other was legendary. They excelled at having fun, always finding new ways to play once disease took its course. Even if it was just a trip to the grocery store, Kevin’s face unfailingly lit up when Marie returned home. Marie found joy and purpose both as Kevin’s art agent and as his full-time caregiver at home.
Kevin’s brain attracted a wide range of friendships. He was rooted in family - a trait nurtured by his mother’s unconditional love, while his father’s singular determination taught Kevin to defy all odds. His brothers, Chris and Jeff, were his buddies. A conveyor of brilliant ideas, Kevin was always measured and on point. One was wise to hang on to his every word. In Kevin’s eyes, we saw kindness, generosity, and deep awareness. He recognized the importance of feeling heard, loved, and understood.
Accomplished and unpretentious, Kevin was the first of his family to attend university. He was proud of his career as an Ontario Superior Court judge, Chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board, special advisor to the Ontario Government, mediator, arbitrator, and lawyer. Kevin excelled at decision-making, observing that any decision worth making should be made at the right time and only after all the necessary information had been gathered.
When disease robbed him of his favourite job as a judge, Kevin pursued his passion and, through the sale of his paintings, raised over $200,000 for research into Parkinson’s and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. He joked that, had he known painting would be so much fun, he might have pursued that career instead.
His favourites included: Venice, Orwell, Dostoevsky, Jackson Browne, Shostakovitch, Gordon Lightfoot, Trailer Park Boys, Baroness von Sketch, Brazil, All Right Jack, Battleship Potemkin, Van Gogh, key lime pie, and carrot cake.
Somewhere, Kevin is singing “Song for a Winter’s Night” while simultaneously playing violin, piano, and harmonica - something he could do.
The family is grateful to ALL the healthcare workers (in Ontario and Quebec) who guided their ten-year journey, helping Kevin defy the odds against the toll of Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia.
Should you wish to donate, please choose a cause that matters to you. Donations in support of Parkinson’s and Dementia research can be made via Kevin’s website : https://www.kevinwhitaker.art/donate If you wish to plant a tree, consider www.massawippi.org the local foundation that takes care of Kevin’s favourite paradise.
Kevin will be honoured in Toronto on Saturday, February 1, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Holy Trinity Church (by the Eaton Centre), and in North Hatley in May. Details will be posted on Kevin’s website: kevinwhitaker.art
Messages de sympathie
Hello Marie, my heartfelt condolences to you and family.
- Hugh Graham, le
13 janvier 2025
Dear Marie,
My sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved husband, Kevin.
It seems to me that you two
Were able to squeeze every last bit of positive energy out of your challenging life together.
I hope that many positive memories will give you some comfort and peace at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Joan Cohen
Un arbre est planté à la mémoire du défunt
- Joan Cohen, le
12 janvier 2025
Marie,
Our deepest condolences to you and the family. Kevin fought hard and left behind a beautiful legacy in art.
Martha
- Martha Durdin, le
11 janvier 2025
Marie-my deepest condolences for your loss. You were at his side throughout Kevin’s journey and a true role model for what it means to care for someone you love so deeply. I worked with Kevin on setting up the College of Trades. He was so proud of this momentous piece of legislation but his first thought was as a father and he invited Luke to the House as the Bill was introduced. That moment has stayed with me till now. Take care Marie and big virtual hug.
- Shamira, le
11 janvier 2025
I extend my sincere condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. Thanks for sharing Kevin’s art over the years. May he rest in peace.
Warmest regards,
Neil Price
- Neil Price , le
11 janvier 2025
Margie and I want to give you our most sincere sympathies on the passing of this great man. We only met him once but it was easy to see that he is a very nice fellow. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Que mon soutien réchauffe votre coeur
- Corey Bellam , le
10 janvier 2025
Kevin lived boldly, sharing his wisdom, kindness, and joy with everyone. Our hearts are with Marie, Luke, Claire, and the Whitaker and Moliner families.
Que mon soutien réchauffe votre coeur
- Jeff, Melissa, Sawyer and Jackson, le
10 janvier 2025
Dear Marie,
I am so sorry to read of Kevin's passing—my sincere condolences.
Dian
- Dian Cohen, le
10 janvier 2025
Kevin was most certainly not a man that you meet every day. He was an accomplished athlete, a consummate aesthete, a Klever advocate, and our very dear and treasured playmate. From our earliest days of camaraderie, to our innumerable evenings of revelry, to our philosophical symposiums at heritage sites such as The Cameron, Cupcake Island, Havana, Venice and the shores of îles de la Madeleine, he searched for the beautiful and joyful.
We have been humbled and inspired by the love, inspiration, devotion and courage that Kevin and Marie personified throughout their enchanted time together.
The world has lost a great man; we have lost a great friend.
Sean Dewart and Lori Newton
- Sean and Lori, le
10 janvier 2025
You are surrounded by love from your friends and family during this time, and of course the memory of one of the greatest loves, from Kevin.
The memories of Kevin will be a bountiful treasure for you forever. Riches greater than we could have ever anticipated.
My thoughts are with you.
Heartfelt condolences,
Marianne
Un arbre est planté à la mémoire du défunt
- Marianne Harris, le
9 janvier 2025
I met Kevin only once but I deeply felt his impact . He tilted his head and heard beyond the words I was speaking. Marie, you have received love and have given love. Your heart brims with love. Je t'envoie mes pensées et sympathies sur un rayon de soleil. Mireille (Brisset)
Que mon soutien réchauffe votre coeur
- Mireille Brisset, le
9 janvier 2025
Dear Marie - my deepest sympathies to you.
Un arbre est planté à la mémoire du défunt
- Anna M. Grant, le
9 janvier 2025
A life well lived, Kevin Whitaker, well lived indeed.
Que mon soutien réchauffe votre coeur
- Tim & Barbara Gayle, le
9 janvier 2025
I'm sorry. Thinking of you, Claire, and Luke.
I appreciate the opportunities to see Kevin and you and be surrounded by Kevin's art at at Back Lane Studies. I'm so glad about the marvelous painting he created.
I also think about his important volunteer work at adult literacy program Parkdale Project Read. Kevin was such a dedicated tutor over at least at decade and then a friend.
Heartfelt condolences to you all at this time.
Hugs, Sheila Stewart
Que mon soutien réchauffe votre coeur
- Sheila Stewart, le
19 janvier 2025
Kevin, you were an inspiration to all those who knew you.
Un arbre est planté à la mémoire du défunt
- Christy and Howard Green, le
19 janvier 2025
Dear Marie, Luke & Claire,
“He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense the world was mad.”*
Throughout his life, Kevin was a force – a force of intellect, integrity, commitment and above all humour. We who were privileged to know him mourn his loss while also counting ourselves lucky to have moved in his orbit for a while.
In health, Kevin was always impressive, but in illness he astounded. He and Marie both exhibited enormous love, strength, compassion and bravery in Kevin’s final years. As throughout his life, in his decline, Kevin showed us all how it should be done.
We are desperately sorry not to be in the country on Feb 1 to reminisce and celebrate Kevin’s force of life with you all.
We will be thinking of you and missing Kevin terribly.
Love John & Susan
*from Scaramouche, Rafael Sabatini
- John Sankey & Susan Wright, le
17 janvier 2025
It was clear from the early years of your courtship and marriage that you and Kevin were smitten with each other. It was equally clear that as time passed your bond only grew stronger. I hope the memories of your life together and the knowledge that you lived that life to the max will comfort and sustain you now. You have my heartfelt sympathy. Sending love,
- Laura, le
17 janvier 2025
I am deeply saddened on Kevin's passing and know that while this may seem to be the end of his journey, his legacy, his spirt, "he" will continue to live in the way he touched others throughout his career, his good will and dedication, opening our eyes through his art. Just being Kevin, just being who he was. He has inspired us not only to ponder, but to act, and to dream and reach beyond our personal obstacles. I hope that memories bring you comfort, peace and yes even laughter and carry you through this sad time.
Un arbre est planté à la mémoire du défunt
- Dana Kuszelewski, le
16 janvier 2025
Marie, please accept condolences from me and Gianna on Kevin's passing. He was always a buddy of mine and a great man. We all miss him and think of him regularly. I'm sorry we're out of country on February 1st and won't be able to see you then. But we'll see you soon.
- Chris Dassios, le
15 janvier 2025
What a beautiful tribute to a life well lived. Marie, you are an example of love through all times. As Kevin rests peacefully you and your family will have those wonderful memories he created through music and art.
- Mitzie Hunter, le
14 janvier 2025
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