It is with sadness that we note the passing of AGO volunteer David Gibson, on April 17, at age 60.  David was a dedicated Information Guide for five years, working on the Friday morning shift, where his calm nature was appreciated.  Prior to volunteering, David worked as an accountant with CP Rail until taking early retirement.  He was excited to find a new home at the AGO and loved helping visitors.  His other passions included travel (often with his adoring nieces and nephews), golfing, and doggedly supporting the Toronto Blue Jays.

David’s colleagues remember him fondly:

Holly Procktor:
David was a constant presence in the lounge, and enjoyed catching up with his fellow volunteers. He always had kind words to say, and loved being a part of our tight-knit community.

Chloe Wittes (David’s Info Guide team leader for a year):
David was a ray of sunshine. Though quiet in nature, he loved to chat, and very much enjoyed telling (and hearing!) a good joke. You could always tell when his story had an imminent punchline, because a large grin would slowly but surely develop on his face while recounting it. He loved the AGO, and rarely missed a shift. He was always prompt, pleasant, and accommodating, and enjoyed chatting with fellow volunteers, and visitors. He enjoyed sharing in community, and life’s simple pleasures. David was a dear friend to many of us at the AGO, and he is very much missed.

Carole Warnock (David’s Info Guide team leader for 2 years):
David had a tremendous sense of humour and could create a joke about a current subject that was spot on…a little corny but very apropos!  He had a great loyalty to the Gallery – he was always here ready and willing to meet the public and help them find their way around the confusing Gallery.  David loved his golf, taking many a trip down to North Carolina to play his favourite game, and was always up on the latest scores for baseball and hockey.  He always loved the classical pieces of art – the Impressionists were his first choice.  David also cared deeply about his fellow volunteers – he loved getting together with the other team members and finding out what they were up to.

Jane Westgate (fellow Info Guide):
David’s nephews and nieces appreciated the ‘guided tours’ he gave them him of the AGO, and, generously, of galleries in Paris. David was always very proud that his niece Emily is also an Info guide on Wednesday evenings. David loved the social aspects of our work at the gallery, especially the parties! He was always the one on the team to encourage us all to attend events together, and even to get on the dance floor. 

Cathy Matyas (fellow Info Guide):
It still seems odd to me not to see and chat with David as we change AGO information guide shifts. We all knew that David’s favourite painting in the Gallery was James Tissot’s “The Shop Girl”, but I had many lovely and spirited conversations with him about other works in the Gallery, and about the special exhibitions, and the sometimes about the quirky and amusing conversations that we ended up having with visitors.  I don’t know much about golf or hockey, but it was immediately obvious to me that David was passionate about these sports, and we often chatted about his golf trip to the States, and the progress of the Leafs.  David was a loyal Leafs fan, which we all know is no small achievement!  I know we all enjoyed David’s wry sense of humour, and his puns! He was a gentle person and a lovely colleague, and he is missed.

Thanks to everyone for sharing their memories.  David will indeed be missed!