John Gordon HARKNESS

Harkness, John Gordon 1954 - 2007 Leading Toronto film critic John Gordon Harkness passed away suddenly at home, Sunday, December 16, of natural causes. He is survived by sister, Susan Mary, his brother, Thomas Kevin Harkness, sister-in-law Cecilia, nephew Thomas and step-mother Sharon Bell. He is predeceased by his mother, Theresa (nee Mavis) and his father, Thomas Frederick Gordon. Mr. Harkness was born in Montreal and raised in Sarnia and Nova Scotia. He earned a B.A in English from Carleton University and studied film at Columbia University under leading American film critic Andrew Sarris. In 1981, Mr. Harkness joined alternate weekly Now Magazine as its film writer on the paper's inception. He appeared in every issue until his death, often contributing book and music reviews as well as film writing. He also contributed reviews and feature articles to Sight and Sound, Cinema Canada, the Cinematheque Magazine and others. He founded and edited Cinephile Magazine, wrote the first eight editions of The Academy Awards Handbook and penned three screenplays. As a member of the International Federation of Film Critics, Mr. Harkness sat on festival juries at Berlin, Venice, Miami, Thessalonkia. Mr. Harkness was an ongoing contributor to a variety of cultural, social, ecological and educational causes. In his private life, Mr. Harkness was an enthusiastic European traveller, a prominent tournament poker player, a developing tai chi practitioner and guitarist. A non-denominational funeral service will be held Friday, December 28th, 1:30 pm, at the MORLEY BEDFORD FUNERAL HOME, 159 Eglinton Avenue West (2 stoplights west of Yonge Street). Reception on the premises to follow. Published in the National Post from 1/9/2008 - 1/17/2008.