William (Thorn Morrow) Rowat
Lieu de naissance : Québec, Canada
Date de naissance : 14 juin 1922
Lieu de décès : SYDNEY, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Date de décès : 16 août 2009
William Rowat, 87, of George Street, Sydney, known to many as Thorn Morrow, passed away Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.
Born June 14, 1922, in St. Catherine Booth Hospital, Quebec, he was the son of the late John M. and Anne (McQueenie) Rowat.
Thorn began his artistic career in Montreal in his teens as a commercial artist for the T. Eaton Company. Thorn served overseas during the Second World War with the RCAF. He helped build the first runway for Spitfires to land in Normandy, France, just six days after D-Day. After serving overseas he settled in New York and then moved to California where he again did commercial art, this time for companies such as Coca Cola and ABC Television. While in Hollywood he appeared in several movies, one being, Rebel without a Cause, starring James Dean. Next he moved to Vancouver and later spent nine years in Montreal.
During a visit to Cape Breton Island, especially the Highlands, Thorn was struck by the beautiful, raw landscape of the island. He decided this was now his home. For many years he has taught oil painting and has become the beloved mentor of hundreds of local amateur artists. Working in water colors and oils, Thorn has had many one-man exhibits and has been the recipient of a variety of honors. Numerous Morrow paintings were selected by the Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal, at his very first showing, and he was awarded first prize at the prestigious Niagra-On the-Lakes Art Exhibit.
Thorn painted mostly landscapes of Nova Scotia and was known for his work depicting the coal mines of the area around the Town of Glace Bay. He loved simplicity and was never drawn into the corporate scheme of life. He worked for many years out of his studio on George Street, Sydney and was the founder of the Cape Breton Artist Association. Thorn also acted in plays at CBU Playhouse. He had a great love for German shepherds and always named them, Leo.
Thorn’s work was pleasing to the eye and captured a nice light that draws the viewer in. There is something to be said for an artist who has worked for close to 40 years in the same place making a steady living through tough times and good times. Seldom can artists survive on their work and those that do deserve a pat on the back, such dedication is hard to find.
Thorn is survived by a brother, Ronald ’Tannie’ (Hilda), Montreal; nephews, Ross, Ontario, Micheal, Quebec; nieces, Joanne, Valerie, Quebec, Roslyn, Rhonda, Rhea Rowat of Montreal. He is also survived by his Cape Breton family, Brian Besso (Karen) and family, Donnie Gouthro (Colleen) and family, Debbie Couture (Ken) and family and the students of his art class, Jen MacNeil, Basil McGillivray, Mary MacLellan, John Howie, Gerd Brukschwaiger, Mary Jala, David Dunn, Marie MacEachen, Evelyn MacPherson and Lena Mahoney-Petrie.
Thorn was predeceased by a brother, John ’Jake’ and a nephew, John.
There will be no visitation for Thorn. Cremation has taken place. A memorial tribute for Thorn will be held this Thursday at 2 p.m. in the V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home Chapel, 380 Smith St., New Waterford, with Funeral Director Basil McGillivray Sr. presiding, a longtime art student of Thorn’s.
In memory of Thorn, donations may be made to the SPCA.
Online condolences to Thorn’s family and friends can be expressed at www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
Who dat there
Say who dat there
When I say who dat there.
Two roads emerged and I took the one less
travelled . . .
Two roads emerged and I took the one less
travelled . . .
