Obituary of McGregor Hone

HONE - McGregor Hone, husband, father, artist, teacher, activist, born February 7, 1920, died July 18, 2007. Mac lived his life with great passion, sharing it with Beth, his wife and collaborator, for over 62 years. While a private man, he made lasting friendships easily. Known for his razor-sharp wit, and wide knowledge, he could be relied on to provide the right quote for every occasion. Mac earned his BA and certificate of education at the University of Saskatchewan in 1941. During the war, Mac welded Victory ships at North Vancouver Shipyards. He and Beth were married in Nanaimo in 1944. He first taught in Copper Mountain, BC where Dave was born. In 1947, the family moved to Regina and Mac began his long teaching career at Central Collegiate. Shortly after, Jan was born. In the mid 1950s he attended Emma Lake workshops organized by his friend and teacher Ernie Lindner. In the late 1950s the family traveled to Europe, where Mac studied at the Central School of Arts & Crafts in London. They spent the summers travelling across Europe in a Volkswagen van. In the 60's, Mac, Lloyd Blackman and Jack Williams started Regina's first fine arts high school program at Central Collegiate. Mac developed the visual arts program from which many successful artists graduated. His exciting classes drew students from across Regina, many of whom kept in touch over the years. For them Mac was a mentor, encouraging both creativity and technique. Macs involvement with the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation included negotiating many improvements in contracts for teachers and serving on the Executive. After his retirement in 1979 he was active in the Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan. Throughout his life, Mac painted, drew and made prints. He and Beth traveled extensively. His travels and his passion for history, literature, astronomy, entomology and philosophy inspired his work, which has been shown in numerous galleries, including the National Gallery of Canada, and is held in collections across the country. For 68 consecutive years, Mac produced a greeting card print, much anticipated by friends, reflecting a moment of the past year. Mac's painting "By the Radio" (1950) was the first work of art purchased by the Saskatchewan Arts Board for its permanent collection. In 1995 the Board gave him its Lifetime Award for Excellence in the Arts. A longtime Unitarian, for many years Mac illustrated and produced "The Chalice" newsletter for the Regina Fellowship. Mac was predeceased by his daughter Jan in 2004. He will be greatly missed by Beth, his loving wife and best friend of 62 years, son Dave (Carol), son-in-law Jim Hall, grandchildren Brenna (Ryan) Ackerman and Will Hall, great-grandsons Ethan and Avery McGregor Ackerman. The family thanks Dr. Doris Logan and staff of the Regina QuAppelle Palliative Care Program, especially the Home Health Aides whose care enabled Mac to remain at home until his death. Special thanks to the many friends and neighbours who provided support to Mac and Beth during his illness, particularly Bob and Sandy Johnson and Kathy Reimer. A celebration of Mac's life will be held at 2:30 pm, Wednesday, July 25 at Regina Apostolic Church, 808 Assiniboine Avenue East. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Unitarian Fellowship of Regina, Box 1591, Regina, SK, S4P 3C4. Garden flowers in vases are welcome at the memorial service. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com