Toller died in Mexico four years ago on January 23,2015.
Four years on he is very much loved, deeply missed and powerfully remembered.
He touched many lives.
Many lives touched his.
Watch for the Toller book later this year.
Published: January 23, 2017
Toller died two years ago today.
The loss was sudden and shocking.
He was only 65.
He was an artist, an Olympian, a raconteur, a character. He was much beloved as a friend, a colleague, an employer.
Over the past two years, the stories, tributes, and reminiscences that have poured in about Toller have been inspirational and deeply touching. They deserve to be shared.
We invite you to contribute to the Remembering Toller Together project.
Tell us what Toller means to you. A few words. A moment.
We also welcome photos and especially pictures of how you have incorporated Toller’s paintings, drawings or estate sale items into your home or garden.
Clearly, we all carry a little piece of Toller in our hearts. Always will. We carry the memories, the stories, the laughter, the outrageousness, and the colour in his life and art. Let us celebrate him together.
Please be sure to include your name, email, phone and contact information. All contributors will be gratefully acknowledged.
Thank you so much,
Phillippa Cranston Baran
January 23, 2016
Toller Cranston(1949 – 2015)
Hard to believe. Don’t quite believe.
It has been a year.
A year to mourn. To feel. To struggle. To come to grips with the loss.
A year to reflect on the singular, extraordinary talent.
The colour. The wit. The genius.
A year to be grateful for having shared a piece of the journey.
The moments. The memories. The friendships.
A year to accept the challenge to build a legacy.
To embrace the opportunity to find ways to inspire;
to recognize courage, commitment and generosity;
and to support unique talent wherever and however we find it.
In Toller’s name.
Doing good with Toller’s Legacy!
Toller Cranston
(Photo: Jay Koppelman)
October 23, 2015 – Former world and Olympic figure skater, six-time Canadian Champion and world renowned artist Toller Cranston is being remembered and honored in numerous ways.
In San Miguel de Allende, Mexico where Toller lived the last two-plus decades of his life, he was well known in the community as a big personality, a flamboyant character, a compulsive and impetuous shopper, a prodigious artist, and an extravagant entertainer.
He left behind a stunning collection of his own original art work along with a mind-boggling assortment of ceramics, sculptures, chandeliers, and glass. He died of a massive heart attack in January at the age of 65.
Toller’s family, a sister and two brothers, found themselves in charge of dispersing Toller’s massive estate. Phillippa, Guy and Goldie left their homes in Canada and have been back and forth to San Miguel over the past nine months to handle this challenge.
Those in San Miguel who knew Toller often associated him with the word ‘generous.’ In Toller’s honor, the family has donated numerous items from the estate to local charities and organizations in San Miguel.
His impressive library of 800+ art books have been donated to Bellas Artes and will become part of a permanent collection in his honor. Original art, archival video and photographs, personal effects and clothing have been set aside to support the collection.
More than 1000 items of clothing, everything from cashmere sweaters to flowing coats along with two dozen cartons of non-art books were given to the local charity ALMA, a home for low-income elderly.
A donation of artisanal Mexican toys was made to Museo de la Esquina.
A sampling of the painted Santos at Toller’s home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
(Photo: Scott Umstattd)
Many know that Toller created magnificent Santos (above) that are widely recognized as rare and beautiful pieces of art. Seven beaded and painted Santos were gifted to the churches of San Miguel, six to the Catholic churches and one to St. Paul’s.
All of Toller’s oil paints, a massive amount, were donated to local artists who were closely associated with him.
A permanent and rotating exhibition of Toller’s paintings and chandeliers will remain at Hecho en Mexico, a popular restaurant in San Miguel. These will be a lasting reminder of Toller’s incredible legacy and art.
Back in Canada, a Memorial Fund has been established in Toller’s name by the Canadian Olympic Foundation. Proceeds will support young skaters with both artistic and athletic talent. Supporters may contribute at http://olympic.ca/foundation.
The Toller Cranston School of Artistic Skating is being created in Canada and will launch in 2016. This will be a training camp for elite figure skaters that focuses on bringing more theatricality and creativity to the sport.
There are many ideas still in the planning stages. The family remains committed to strengthening Toller’s legacy both in San Miguel and in Canada.
Learn more about Toller Cranston’s Legacy in skating and art.
June 25, 2015 (Toronto, Canada) – The Canadian skating community, close friends, family and admirers all joined to celebrate the life of one of Canada’s most iconic and unique sport figures, Toller Cranston.
Well over 300 people attended the June 25th event held at the prestigious Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). Two giant screens rolled scenes from Toller’s extraordinary skating career. In addition, the room featured rarely seen paintings that Toller had created over his lifetime.
Photo by: Scott Umstattd (See all memorial photos)
Longtime Toller friend and Canadian fashion icon Jeanne Beker noted in her remarks at the podium that Toller had always dreamed of having his art showcased at the AGO, announcing to the cheering crowd “He made it!”.
94-year old Ellen Burka, Toller’s longtime skating coach, attended the event and shared her remarkable first encounter with Toller.
Toller Cranston was the six-time Canadian champion (1971-1976) and 1974 world and 1976 Olympic bronze medallist. Learn more about Toller Cranston.
Attending the Memorial was a star-studded group of former World and Olympic medalists including Dorothy Hamill, JoJo Starbuck and Ken Shelley, Haig Oundjian, Petra Burka, John Rait and Shelley MacLeod.
The Canadian Olympic Foundation launched the “Toller Cranston Memorial Fund” which will assist young skaters to develop their artistic talents and help them infuse expression and creativity into their sport.
The Canadian flag that was flying on the Peace Tower in the nation’s capital on the day that Toller died was preserved for the family courtesy of Ms. Laureen Harper, the wife of the Prime Minister. The flag was presented by the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State for Sport, to a group of young people – nieces, nephews, cousins and friends – who represent the hopes and aspirations of all young Canadians.
Toller passed away earlier this year on January 23rd of a massive heart attack in his home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. He was 65 years old.
To make a donation to the Toller Cranston Memorial Fund, visit the Canadian Olympic Foundation website:
Toller Cranston Memorial Fund donation page
Toller Cranston Funeral — San Miguel De Allende, Mexico
January 31, 2015 – A private funeral service was held Saturday in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico to celebrate and remember the life of Toller Cranston.
Toller’s sister, Phillippa, and brother Goldie were joined by numerous friends and acquaintances including Toller’s longtime friend and skating foe Haig Oundjian who led the group in a rousing ovation for the former skating champion and internationally renowned artist.
In typical Toller dramatic fashion, a Mexican Mariachi band was on hand to entertain the crowd.
Toller passed away unexpectedly on the evening of January 23. He was 65. His body was cremated, the ashes laid to rest in the Panteon de Guadalupe Cemetery in San Miguel.
Public memorials for Toller will be held in both San Miguel de Allende and Toronto to be announced at a later date.