had really cool literature references!!!  I loved reading books from his library, two books I read from it that will stay with me is ; bluets by Maggie Nelson and Tales from the thousands and one nights, they remind me of his warmth. How I miss him, the short but very intense months we spent together will stay with me forever. Thank you Wil for being my lover.

I met Wilford in September of 2020; we had our first date at bar Susanne on Duluth Street. He was waiting for me, standing awkwardly at the top of the stairs. The first thing that struck me about him was how tall he was, and then when we sat down, his gentle but piercing blue eyes. I remember instantly feeling a sense of deep calm when we locked eyes at that table, just by his look I felt understood. That night we talked for hours, sharing a bottle of wine, then he took my hands and asked me if he could kiss me. A  sweet and gentle kiss. After that night we quickly fell in love, sharing a deep connection I had never shared with anyone else. Wilford opened up his heart to me like no one had in the past, showing true vulnerability, sharing his pain, hopes, and most of all his love. We spent months curled up together, never leaving each other’s sides for more than a few days. He showed me an example of strength and dedication in the midst of it all. He had the purest soul, always reminding me of how smart, and beautiful I was, because he said he didn't think I really knew it. My favorite times with him were spent in his large studio, I would read in bed all day drinking coffee while he would paint, sometimes stopping what he was doing and asking me if he could draw me. Or all the mornings when he would make me his classical Wilford breakfast consisting of grilled vegetables with potatoes, cheese and eggs with lots of hot sauce and, of course, lots of very strong  coffee, we would eat it side by side holding hands and cuddling every few bites, then leaving each other for the day already longing to get back together at night. But definitely our main thing was watching movies together, we would take turns picking it, and after we would have discussions about them. We watched really cool old movies together. I also loved to share what I was reading with him, once we were having dinner, and he picked up one of his poetry books and read some for me, it was beautiful,

Spent a lot of time with you in this kitchen including an epic christmas day sorry i burnt the ribs.

Portrait of me one of the best days talking with wilford when we really became close friends.

Wilford my friend.  You were the one of the funniest sweetest most humble human beings on top of being one of the best artist ive been lucky to be friends with. You were not only a friend but a brother to me. No matter time of day you were always a phone call away to chat and laugh about our crazy lives.  Your cute cackle always lit up my day and made everything shine afterwards.   I will cherish our time together forever and there will be a gap in my heart that will never be replaced.  I can take solice in the last time we spoke on november 24 that you were at peace and our last words were love you man and love you to bro.  Rest easy big willy.  Love and loyalty. Your brother from another mother. Gmoney.

Self portrait he sent me a couple years ago

Gail and family: My heart goes out to you for the loss of your dear son.  Although I never met him, he seemed like an amazing person so wished I had. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

I remember the first time I met Wil, he came to a party at my apartment and wrapped toilet paper all over the furniture. As a young art student, I idolized his ability to work from life and carry himself as an artist wherever he went. We talked a lot about drawing over the years, he knew so much about art history and ways of seeing. He was insistent I read "Drawing From Memory" by Marie Elisabeth Cavé because it would help my work. It did. I will always be profoundly inspired by his dedication to keenly observe others and put that so clearly and directly on paper. His apartment full of drawings, and it seemed like nothing else.
The last time I saw him it was Christmastime in Calgary maybe 6 years ago. We drank cheap beer until the bar closed and laughed all night. I feel lucky I knew Wil. I'm so sorry he's no longer with us.

When we lived together and even when we didn't live together my mornings would always be so exciting cuz Wil would come over. He would always say Kim. You must always have eggs in your fridge and he swore by grapeseed oil and there's a particular brand. I can't remember which one but he'd walk to go get his coffee every morning and he always looked so stylish no matter what  and he would smoke a cigarette and we'd sit and he'd make the best omelets ever based on what we had or what we could find. I always knew that Wil was good when we were having breakfast. I hope you had the best breakfast before you left us darling and continue to do so where ever you are now and I'm going to do my best to have breakfast everyday now cuz I think you  knew how much I struggled with eating. Oh Wil. I miss you so much and I don't think I can ever get over this. I know I can't. I know I won't. Wil was so talented and ever so loving. So so loving. So so so loving. Your laugh will forever ring in my heart. I wish I had recorded our conversations. They were epic. I wish I had taken more photos. We called Wil Adonis! Cos my friends would go ga ga over his ability to present like a Greek God without even knowing it. Truly a master of so much! I will always love you Wil. You were my greatest friend and I wish I had the guts to have told you, you were my greatest crush.

There will never be enough words. I miss you and think of you with the fondest memories forever. You will never and have never left my heart. Love. Is. Forever.

My comrade, my friend, my angel of a brother, you filled my life with so much joy and you taught me so much about life as a friend, as a roommate, as a confidante, as a business partner, as a co worker, as a traveler, as an artist, as a philosopher. I will love you as always, today, tomorrow and forever. 

My heart goes out to the Wilford 's mum and dad, his family, his friends, his muses, his subjects, his clients and all galleries who have worked with Wil. Love is forever.

A picture I drew of Wil as he was drawing me (his drawing was better.)

Today is Wil’s birthday. I’m going to go by the house he lived in when he lived in Toronto, and just stand in front of it for a moment, and remember him. I might eat in a restaurant nearby, and just hold him in my mind. How nice it would be to see him today. I often think about the conversations I had with Wil, in his house and other places in the city. Sometimes when I’m in those places, his memory will pop up.

I wish I could say ‘Happy Birthday’ to him today, maybe via a text that would be almost, but not quite inappropriately flirty. He would probably smile to himself and roll his eyes and respond in a shy, good-natured way, as he always did when I flirted with him. “Oh Ambrose, you’re so predictable…” He might also respond with something ironic and witty, or if I caught him in a peacocking mood, something borderline cutting (but with an affectionate wink.) Or all of the above, in a long text exchange. I would suggest that we hop on a call or Zoom and maybe then we’d talk for a few hours, and there would be strange motifs in the conversation that would develop and amuse us both.

If he were in Toronto, I’d offer to buy him a meal. I would give him a big, bone-crushing hug.

I wish I could tell him about how I’m doing, and the job interview I had today,  so he could be impressed by my adulting. We knew that inside, we were really just kids. He would tell me about his life, which would probably revolve around his art and his aspirations for that, and all the things he’s reading and getting into, with his curious mind and wide-ranging interests. I would admire how dedicated he was to his work, but also wish that he could feel more at peace with how the world can stubbornly, unfairly withhold validation for even immensely talented and hard-working artists, which is what he was.

I miss Wilford and I’ll always remember him.

Dear Gail and Bruce,

I am so sorry for your loss.  My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Dodi Hodgson

Dear Bruce, Gail and Family

Our deepest condolences to you and your family.

Kind regards
Brenda Arseneault & Peter Ciavarella

I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Wilford. We went to ACAD together and also lived in a fun art house together for a couple of years in the early 2000s. He was an incredible talent but an even better friend. Quick to laugh and always up for a good time. I remember those times fondly.

Dear Gail, with heartfelt condolence, I am saddened at the loss of your dear son. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. Love, Beatrice.

OBITUARIO

Wilford Hugh Barrington

16 febrero, 1981 – 2 diciembre, 2023

Foster's Garden Chapel Funeral Home & Crematorium

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