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OPINION: We lost some great North Bayites this year

The North Bay cultural scene lost three of its own luminaries this year.
green, barry cropped frank caruso 2016
Barry Green, at Frank Caruso's very first establishment,

By Ursula Stange:

Many have been the cries of grief over the lengthening list of music and movie greats who have left us this year.  Among this general sadness, I am inclined to bring our attention closer to home.  The North Bay cultural scene lost three of its own luminaries this year.

Ken Stange, a leader in the literary community here since the early 1970s, wrote over 20 books and published hundreds of poems and articles over a forty year career.  He taught psychology at Nipissing University over those forty years as well and many former students would attest to the extent that his love of the arts found its way into many lessons. 

He was the founder of Nebula Magazine, longstanding board member of White Water Gallery, sometime editorial writer on the cultural scene for the Nugget, co-founder of the North Bay Writers' Guild, early supporter, participant and sometimes host of the long-running Conspiracy of 3 reading series, a longtime member of Nipissing University's Cultural Affairs Committee and an unfailing friend and mentor to many young North Bay writers. 

Ken passed away on May 8th.

Marty Southcott, remembered by many through her long association with youth theatre at Widdifield Secondary School (the Company), Summer Challenge, Toros and Dreamcoat Fantasy Theatre, nurtured the talents of hundreds of young North Bayites, some of whom went on to theatre careers of their own. 

Over the years, she shepherded many student productions to national competitions, sharing with young people the rewards of hard work and commitment.  Comments in social media all point to her kindness, her dedication to theatre craft and her unfailing encouragement of the special talents she saw in even the shiest of students. 

Marty passed away in Nova Scotia on August 23rd.

Barry Green shared his musical talents in a career spanning over 50 years.  He was known to generations of North Bay music lovers, including my son and many friends, as the quiet, friendly music guru of Records on Wheels.  He delighted in listening to young people, learning their tastes and gently pushing them to explore new directions through his suggestions. 

He also shared his love of music on the stage, performing for many years with a variety of North Bay bands including The Trout Lake Monsters, Fluid Drive and the Buffaloes. 

Barry passed away on November 22nd.

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Many readers felt there is an omission, so we've added to the list.

Steve Clarke.

Steve was a talented drummer who gave great enjoyment to many fans starting at Chippewa Secondary School. 

Carleigh Rogan (Pruneau) wrote: Steve Clarke was a part of my dads’ (Paul Pruneau) band for years. He, my father and the other band mates would be jamming in my living room every couple of nights and I’d come downstairs not only to listen to them jam, but to try to absorb the talent that was presenting itself in my living room. Steve was such a talented Rock N Roll drummer and his talent will be sorely missed throughout the North Bay Music Community.

Steve sold me my first drum kit, an old bright blue pearl export... It was loved, which made me love it even more because it was mine. I’ll never forget the day when I came home from school and my dad told me to look in the living room, there she was all set up gleaming blue flecks from the sun’s rays. It felt like a dream! My dad still has the drum kit set up in the same spot in our basement.

His friend Colin Norwood wrote, "I have been lucky, not only for Steve’s friendship, but I’ve truly been touched by his wonderful family. He was a lucky man. Not only did his family love him like crazy, there are a lot of other people out there who loved him too, and if the measure of a man was defined by how many people called you a friend, then Steve would have been a mountain. I know I’m a better man for knowing him and his family, and I'm going to miss him.

Steve passed away peacefully at the North Bay Regional Health Centre on Monday May 23rd, 2016 at the age of 66 yrs.