Jeremy Patrick Long died at the age of 75 on April 24, 2024, in Victoria BC, after a long illness.
Jeremy lived his life with integrity, constancy, kindness and creativity. He was a loyal man, devoted to advancing others, especially Canadian performing artists.
Jeremy was pre-deceased by son Daniel in 2013. He is survived by his spouse of 45 years, Marian Paris, sons Alexander of Penticton and Tristan (Alison) of Courtenay, and beloved grandchildren Everett, Chelsea, Rina, and Quincey. Jeremy is also survived by sisters Diana Schuldt (Ed) of New Malden, UK, and Phoebe (aka Christine) Long of Hornby Island, as well as paternal Aunt Eileen Duckett (age 100) of Eastbourne, UK.
Jeremy was a beloved uncle “Nunky” to more than 80 nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews (plus their spouses/partners) in Canada, the US and England thanks to his large, close Long/Paris tribe. He was a cherished brother-in-law to 22.
Born in Manchester, England, Jeremy was raised there and in Belize (former British Honduras), Boston, and Vancouver. His parents were British Army veterans. His work ethic developed early and remained strong. He made newspaper and pharmacy deliveries on his bike, learned small appliance repair at the local hardware store, and in his teens, caddied at South Vancouver-area golf courses. As a young man, he fought wildfires in Northern BC, worked underground in a mine in Northern Ontario and once had an encounter with a grizzly bear while clearing a hydro line with a chainsaw. He still has his pair of custom-made Pierre Paris & Sons leather boots.
Jeremy attended Point Grey and Magee Secondary schools in Vancouver then graduated from UBC with a BA and MFA in Creative Writing. He started in commerce law but then switched to the arts, becoming a poet, playwright, director and producer. He co-founded Tamahnous Theatre (a Chilcotin word for magic), becoming its General Manager. He taught theatre courses and directed plays, including Equus, at Malaspina College in Nanaimo (now VIU). He became General Manager, then Executive Director of the Vancouver East Cultural Centre. He was a recipient of the 1978 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts. When he was hired by the Canada Council in Ottawa as Theatre Officer in 1984, Jeremy’s mother Kathleen was relieved he finally had “a real job”. In 1988 he joined BC’s Cultural Services Branch and was instrumental in writing the legislation to create the BC Arts Council in 1996. Jeremy served as Associate Director of the BCAC, and in 2007 became Executive Director, retiring in 2010.
His greatest source of joy and pride were his family. He loved coaching his sons in soccer and baseball, introducing them to the arts, taking them on memorable trips to the Maritimes, Cape Scott, the Chilcotin, Tofino, Disneyland, Puerto Vallarta, England and France. Jeremy spent most of his recreational life in a pool, swimming laps. With friends, he travelled throughout BC, Mexico, Europe and the US. He was devoted to the care of his garden, couldn’t resist re-stacking a dishwasher, smoked DuMaurier’s, played FreeCell, consented to hosting family and friends more often than most, and rocked a Cowichan sweater. Souvenirs of his coming of age in the 1960’s and spiritual life are now being shared, to the delight of his sons. An ankh necklace, Buddhist mala beads, hand carved peace sign pendant, leather headband and cuff were carefully saved and tucked away. His African jalaba robe sadly was not.
His four-month long honeymoon with Marian in 1979 brought them to San Francisco, New York, London, Denmark, Germany and France seeing theatre and collaborating with theatre companies, partly funded by a grant from the Canada Council.
His early writings focused on poetry, several of which were published in various Canadian and European journals including Fiddlehead, the Malahat Review and Prism International.
His playwrighting and dramaturgy career created such memorable plays and musicals as the Canadian premiere of Tommy for MUSSOC (at UBC), The Final Performance of Vaslav Nijinsky St. Moritz-Dorf 1919, Salty Tears on a Hangnail Face, 84 Acres and Some Kind of Saviour plus co-creations of Medea, The Bacchae, and Deep Thought (Tamahnous Theatre), Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow (Vancouver Children’s Festival), We Too: Chronicle of the Coal Tyee (Malaspina College, now VIU), plus the screenplay for Inside The Reflection, a film based on his play Nijinsky.
Jeremy also worked in radio as a freelance documentary maker for CBC and the National Film Board in the emerging film industry of Vancouver as a sound technician and assistant director.
An obituary cannot bring to light the depth of love and admiration his sisters, Marian, their sons and offspring, other family members, colleagues, friends and acquaintances have for Jeremy Long. We are devastated to lose him as we were saddened to witness his stoicism in the face of his many health challenges. He was brave and handsome, the best father and loving mate. We love you beyond measure and will miss you forever.
The family wishes to acknowledge with deep gratitude the incredible care and attention Jeremy received over the years from Dr. Shaun Humphreys (retired), Dr. Darren Biberdorf and Dr. Jeffrey McCracken. Thanks also to Dr. Milvi Tiislar and Dr. Jody Anderson at Royal Jubilee Hospital where the many internists, hospitalists, specialists, interns, nurses, technicians and care aides provided such compassionate care during the last weeks of his life. Thank you all so much for your professional expertise and the many resources we were provided. The beautiful and loving honouring ceremony Jeremy received from the team on 8S upon his final departure will be forever seared in our memories.
To commemorate Jeremy’s life, a donation to the First People’s Cultural Foundation or any indigenous cultural organization in BC would reflect his esteem and gratitude for that part of his life in the arts in which he was most proud to serve. www.fpcf.ca
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC, on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at 2:00 pm. All Welcome.
Interment at Ross Bay Cemetery.
Condolences can be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
-
Freyja
-
Zuzana & Paul Marian, our deepest condolences. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. May the good memories brighten the days ahead.
-
(Joe) Kelly and Mary Kelly Brown Marian
As Mary and I will not be with you and your families, for the Celebration of Life for Jeremy, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families!!Even though Jeremy is no longer with you, he has left you all many fond memories that will comfort you!!
Joe and Mary
-
Marcus I met Jeremy when we were both students at UBC, and then colleagues within the burgeoning alternate theatre scene in Vancouver. Lost track for a bit when he headed off to the Canada Council, but reunited when I went to work for him and Richard at the BC Arts Council. My stay there was short, but since I had moved into a house around the corner from Jer and Marian, our lives became entwined through our children and mutual friends.
It is impossible to consider the history of theatre and the arts in BC from the late sixties to now, without thinking of Jeremy and his immense contribution.
He will be missed as an artist, a cultural bureaucrat but mostly importantly, as a friend.
-
George McWhirter The Jeremy I knew as a student poet and playwright from the very late sixties to the early seventies and the man I met forty years later at the Vancouver Writers Festival, when he was with the BC Arts Council, had not changed. He had the same inquiring and solicitous way with him, leaning forward to talk, but with a restrained and deliberating look, as if he were still directing for the stage as I had seen him do with the musical TOMMY in the Old Auditorium at UBC. From the twinkle that brightened his eyes, the flash of humour would ripple through that resonant voice of his. He was gifted at dealing with fellow artists as well his colleagues at the Council and applicants for Arts Grants. His own art was as appealing as his person. He is one of the few whose goodness of soul and spirit matched his gifts. He was determined, but without the driver of an overweening ego. The Art scene in BC will miss him and I will miss our meetings as part of it.
-
Gwen Maroon Jeremy was a very special person. He was loving and kind, quietly intelligent, and always welcoming. He was open minded and allowed those around him to be whatever they wanted, and be whatever they wanted. He provided gentle guidance by example, kind words, smiles, and love. He loved his family fiercely, would do anything for them. He was a good example to all of us.
I will miss him and his easy presence very much.
Sweet journeys to you Jeremy.
-
Burke Tayor and Sue Harvey Dear Long and Paris Families
We’re neither family nor neighbours; we’re part of another community that Jeremy also touched and made better. And we too feel we’ve lost one of the very good ones.
We shared lengthy, overlapping, collaborative careers with Jeremy but think of him mostly as a good friend and thoughtful partner. We shared years of meeting rooms, policy discussions, theatre productions, concerts, festival events, countless receptions, and the occasional strategic discussion in a bar afterwards. Every encounter and outcome was better and more pleasurable for having Jeremy in the room, and at the table. He is missed in so many ways.
Please accept our sincere condolences.
Burke Taylor and Sue Harvey
-
Joyce Harris ssa So very sorry for you loss, Marian.
The Sisters of St. Ann are keeping you and your family in our praying and affection.
Blessings and peace.
-
Marianne Goodrich To Marian and family, my sincere coldolences on the loss of your beloved Jeremy. I have many happy memories of him. His gentle chuckle was a joy to hear, and his kind and welcoming presence was a light in this world.
-
Holly Frederickson Marian and family, I learned today of Jeremy’s passing while at the Oak Bay Rec Centre. So I did some laps for him. That’s where I met Jeremy years ago, in the pool. We enjoyed our visits and learned we had the same form of arthritis (Ankylosing Spondylitis). One day I packed my husband, James, along to the pool only to have James and Jeremy greet each other excitably by name! They had worked together in Gov’t for years.
We feel honoured to have known Jeremy. He was an amazing soul and may his legacy of love live on through you all.
Holly Frederickson & James Tepoorten
-
Julie Mills My condolences to Marian and family. Jeremy was a wonderful man. He will be missed greatly. RIH Jeremy…
-
Sebrina Benson Our deepest condolences Marian and boys!! Jeremy was an amazing man a true gentleman. He will forever live on in our hearts and minds as if helps and encourage so many others through out is career and family life. Rest in Peace Jeremy
Hugs to all!
-
Douglas Riske and Leona MacDonald Marion and family,
Douglas and I always enjoyed working with Jeremy, as colleagues when we were both running theatres and when he was our Theatre Officer from Canada Council or BC Culture. We looked forward to our visits with him. Our meetings were pleasant, productive and helpful. We always felt as if we were just visiting with a friend. Jeremy had such a grounded and supportive demeanour and was always “present”. It has been years since we’d seen either of you, but one never forgets the good guys, the ones that have the ability to boost you up and makes you think that you are doing the right things and can dream about doing even better. I’m sure that carried over in every aspect of his life. He will truly be missed.
-
Wendy Zink Dear Marian & Family,
Jack and I send you our heartfelt sympathies. We were very sad to learn of Jeremy’s passing- he was a gentle man with a gentle soul . He lived a full life and left a wonderful legacy and clearly many memories. These will sustain you.
Wendy zink & Jack Basey
-
Michael and Claire Dear Marian, Alex and Tristan, our thoughts are with you all. Claire and I have very fond memories of our time with you all during our Canada visit all those years ago and Jeremy was a wonderfully kind soul. We look forward to seeing you again and will always hold Jeremy dear in our hearts, alongside yourselves.
-
Glen Morrison I treasure my brief time and status as one of the ‘brother-in-law’s. I always admired Jeremy’s dignified humility despite his obvious talents. My heart goes out to Marian, Tristan, Alexander and families. His departure will be felt deeply by the many members of the Long/Paris tribes. Thank you for this opportunity to try to express my grief at receiving this news.
-
Daphne Goode My deepest condolences to Marian and family on the passing of dear Jeremy. I always appreciated Jeremy’s kindness and understanding, especially when Marian and I would carry on with spirited conversation in the kitchen! I am so glad to have known such a warm and compassionate man and consider myself fortunate as I was able to share in many lovely family and friend times at the family homestead, where Jeremy was always flexible and very welcoming. I will miss his quiet and wise manner, and his cheeky sense of humour. I will especially treasure memories of our shared interest in world affairs. RIP dear Jeremy.
-
Alice Niwinski Though I initially knew Jeremy by reputation thanks to his diverse contributions to the arts, I was privileged to know him in person during his years at the BC Arts Council and came to admire him for his integrity, inteligence, kindness and commitment, as well as his stoicism in the face of varrious health and other adversities. My deepest condolences to family and friends on the loss of a fine human being.
-
Terry and Savannah Savannah and I greatly admire and am so grateful to Jeremy.
We first met Jeremy in the 70s when he was a member of the groundbreaking and visionary Tamanhous Theatre, a company of exceptional artists we admired and were inspired by.When Jeremy went to the Canada Council and then the BC Arts Council , Jeremy was so supportive and instrumental helping Savannah and I navigate the challenges of artistic politics ( we didn’t fit neatly or were centred in any art form) he understood our artistic practice and gave sage advice on how to move forward. For this we are eternally grateful.
Thank you Jeremy for your artistic practice and your incredible contribution to arts in Canada. It is ad a honour knowing and working with you.
In appreciation,
Terry Hunter, C.M.
Savannah Walling , C.M.
-
Barbara Clausen Jeremy was a treasured colleague and friend. My strongest memory of him in the last few years was his quiet presence as he surveyed the magnificent garden from his spot on the back deck. May his memory be a blessing.
-
John McLachlan I admired Jeremy so much when I knew him through his time at the BC Arts Council. He was always clear, fair and open-hearted about everyone and every facet of the arts and the diverse people of myriad arts communities. He will be missed.
My condolences to all of his family.
-
Brian Butterfield Jeremy was a kind and gentle soul with a quirky sense of humour that we all enjoyed. Extremely intelligent and a lover of arts and culture, he contributed greatly to the world in which he lived. We will miss him.
-
Stephen White I loved Jeremy. Such a kind soul. He managed to lead with grace, quiet but sure. I had the honour of working with him for five years at the BC Arts Council. He was a mentor and a friend. I will always remember him.
-
Walter Quan A boss, mentor, friend and collaborator – Jeremy was there for alll of our communities… Sending bestest energies to you all – Marian, sons and the clan… I’ll not be able to attend any arts events without a thought to him… I do hope he and Daniel are having fun once again…
-
Lane Hudson My heart felt sympathies to you, Marian, and all of Jeremy’s family and friends. Thank you so much for the details of Jeremy’s incredible life, his achievements and the contributions he made. I feel I know him better. I will remember his smile, sense of humor and hugs. May he be at peace now, after bravely persevering through his illnesses. Big hugs and lots of love.
-
Lora McKay Dearest Marian, I was sorry to learn about Jeremy’s passing. He was a wonderful friend and mentor to me. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you and your family. He was a loving partner and father and an accomplished human being. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
-
Margot Paris Marian & Long family, These details and insights to Jeremy’s life are treasured. Thank you for sharing why he meant so much to so many. I’ve always admired Jeremy’s commitment to his family and his craft. His last years were so difficult, and he was stoic in the face of pain and adversity. May he rest in peace.
-
Mary Frewer Deepest condolences to Marian and Jeremy’s family and friends. It was an honour to meet him.
-
Christine Wilson What a beautiful and full life and legacies he created! The best being for his family and friends. It is never easy to say goodbye A life well lived and cherished
Dear Marian,
I just heard this morning about Jeremy’s passing this past Spring. Sorry for the loss to you, Alex, Tristan, and the extended family.
When I first noticed that Jeremy always cleaned up all the dishes after your fab meals, I knew he was a household treasure.
Happy Memories, Freyja