Bertie’s Hands

Many people speak of what a beautiful man Marc was. Yes, 'Bertie' was a beautiful man, and he had beautiful hands. I loved Bertie’s hands. I believe he did to, as he took such good care of them. Grooming his hands was a ritual, I must admit, I enjoyed watching. We were both focused on his hands - sensitive, expressive, tender hands. His fingers were long and slender. It was hard not to notice how he lined all his pencils and erasers up, with great care, before he began composing, or designed and cut out his own opening night cards. Hard not to notice his fine and nimble finger-picking on the guitar or mandolin, his new musical passion. Or the way he removed the ground coffee from the grinder in his breakfast ritual, or cut, with great precision, his toast with peanut butter. I’d watch as he lit a candle most nights at dinner, and used his fork and knife with pizza...and most finger food. The way he buttoned a shirt, shaved or folded a washcloth, always with deliberate care. With care he would reach for my hand, at every show’s opening, or at another dinner at his mother’s; in the Jeep, beside him, on another road trip, or on a hiking trail, or a camp site. Always tender. That was the way he stroked our dog, Kina. Tenderly. The night before his stroke he brought me a piece of pine - working with wood, another new passion - and he ran his hand over it to show me how well he had sanded it down, once again, to its natural colour and grain. I saw the wood, but I was more interested in watching the way his hand moved over the plank with such sensitivity. I always noticed his hands. That was the last time I saw those lovely hands in full expression and intent. I’ll miss my Bertie’s hands.

I love you Bert...
Your 'Barc'

Thinking of you today my little brother: wishes from Marc's family

In thinking of you today we spoke of your sense of humour and how you could bring out an impromptu moment to make us laugh. 

You are surely missed.

We love you.  xxxxxooooo

Here are details in regard to a trust fund in Marc's name:

 

Picture provided by Peter McBoyle

A Celebration of Life was held in Marc's behalf at the National Art Center on November 19, 2012. It was a memorable and touching evening.

A trust fund in Marc's name will be established to encourage and inspire expression in youth through music and theatre. 

 

At the moment cheques can be made out to "Fiddleheads Musical Theatre" and mailed to:

 Trish Barclay

20 Chemin Burnett,

Chelsea, Quebec, J9B 2G9.  

   



Here are a few thoughts and comments that were offered on the day of Marc's Memorial Celebration:

*Kathi Egli sends these thoughts and pictures:

Dear Trish,

Our hearts go out to you. We have been feeling great sadness since we received the news of Bertie. What a tremendous loss for so many people! We have fun memories of Marc that we will never forget. Hanna was quite young when she met Marc, but has very vivid and happy memories of performing with Dot and Bertie. Marc had a positive impact on her early life that we have quietly thanked him for in the last few days. Hanna keeps saying that it's hard to believe he is no longer with us. I feel the same.

Bertie's loss leaves a heartache no one can heal, but his love leaves a memory no one can steal. You and Bertie are in our thoughts and prayers.

Love Kathi and Hanna

 

 

 

*Amy Cunningham share the following:

 

I had the good fortune of working with Marc on McLuhan: The Musical at GCTC
back in '94. I had recently graduated and was still finding my sea legs as a
theatre professional: Marc was very kind to me and genuine...as well as a
great deal of fun to work with!

Marc was extremely talented and a good person: I am deeply saddened by his
early passing. I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to those
close to him. He will be missed.

Sincerely

*Sonia Bertrim shares past experiences of Marc's father:

Dear Trish

My thoughts have been with you and Marc’s family during this sad time.

I am a good friend of Lise’s from years ago in Sudbury. Marc’s father, Cam,

and my husband were the very best of friends and teacher colleagues. They all

left us much too early. Lise and I have continued our friendship through the years

although we are separated by miles.

I knew Marc as a young boy, teenager and then in later years, through news from Lise, as

a very successful artist. I loved to hear about his accomplishments.

I have read through the wonderful tributes to him (blog spot) and recognize how valued a person

he was to many many people. It is wonderful to read about his work with children.

His father had special talents that he developed over the years working with high school kids.

When I look at the photos of Marc and see the video, listen to CBC talk, I recognize some

fleeting reminders of both Lise and Cam but I also recognize the amazing talents that

Marc developed and how he blossomed in so many areas. It is very touching to

read the tributes from your close friends. So sad that your life together was short but

wonderful that you shared those years with such an amazing man.

I am sorry that I will not be in Ottawa today but I think that you will have good support from

friends, family and colleagues. Stay strong and may your memories bring you some peace.

Fondly sending my deepest sympathy to you.

 

 

*Damien Atkins adds:

 

To whom it may concern,

 

I have to keep reminding myself that Marc isn't around anymore. In my head he was going to compose music for every play I ever write. I'm so grateful I got to work with him at least once. I didn't have to check the programme to know when he'd done the music. I always knew the instant I heard it because it was always perfect.

He was my favourite composer, and he was a gentle, gentle, kind man. A beautiful man to be around. I will miss him very much. I already do.



 

In Memory of Marc

 

Picture provided by Trish Barclay and Jaime Desormeaux

 

A Celebration of Life will be held

in Marc's honor

at the National Art Center

on Monday, November 19th, 2012

in the Studio

Hoping to see you there.



Jennifer Rayner sends this posts of the of the Cast and Crew from his play Cyberia: November 18, 2012

Marc,

You took a chance on me with Cyberia and gave me lifelong friends and connections, and an experience I'll never forget that helped launch my career. You also introduced me to Chet Baker. I always think of you when I hear his recordings. I got great joy out of sitting in a theatre and scanning the credits to see your name next to Sound Designer. What an amazing career you carved out for yourself. Such an incredible talent, such a wonderful man. You and your beautiful music will be very much missed.

 

 CYBERIA Cast & Creative

CYBERIA Marc & Jennifer Rayner

Sympathetic words from a couple of collegues of Marc's: November 16, 2012

Timm Hughes writes:

I am very saddened by this most unwelcome news.

I had the great pleasure of working with Marc in 'A Seaway Story' at Upper Canada Playhouse in 1993. As I recall it was one of the first plays in which he was coerced into acting as well as fulfilling his considerable MD responsibilities. I was delighted to be asked to play (by Marc once he learned I had middling capabilities) on stage, not just guitar but the recorder and sundry other percussive stuff. It was a treat.

Above all I remember the laughs we had, some, but by no means all, confined to the rehearsal period where they belonged, playing some of the wacky characters of the early part of the play.

Regrettably, our professional careers never crossed paths again.

I will miss him.

Timm Hughes

Helen Himms writes: 

Hello there

My name is Helen Himsl. I am assuming I am writing to Marc's wife, Trish, as I know Marc had a few different email addresses (hotmail, sympatico, then gmail) with made62marc. I thought I would drop you a line and send my warm wishes to you.

 

I cannot imagine what you are going through and my heartfelt condolences go out to you. That Marc created such beautiful music was a bonus, but really his heart was great, and he was a beautiful person.

 

I used to be a stage manager. I met Marc initially in Corner Brook, NL (where I am again now. These days I am a teacher). I was the resident stage manager at Theatre Newfoundland Labrador, and Marc had come into town to do the sound design and to play Screamin' John in Rock and Roll. We became fast friends during the show, and in fact he became fast friends with all of us including Elinor Benjamin and Ron Richards, who he had stayed with. Elinor and I would often chat about him years later - she had taken him hiking and he had helped she and Ron paint their house while they stayed there. That was Marc.

 

My theatre career moved out of Newfoundland soon after that, and a few years later I bumped into Marc again, at Canadian Stage, and then again at Stratford. It was great to see Marc doing so well (although certainly no surprise to me as I thought he was wonderful from the start) and it was neat to have that connection with someone who I had done a little show with years before.

I went back and read through some old emails from him when I found out he had passed. Mostly, just Christmas greetings and/or letting me (and others) know when he had moved. I had forgotten though (until I re-read it) how he had helped me with putting together a presentation for a Romeo and Juliet university project. (I had Marc, Peter Hinton and Charlotte Dean helping me on the side lines. What a team). This was Marc. Kind, helpful, smart and humble, and truly a nice guy.

The world is surely a sadder place without him.

 

Cheers and best wishes