Claude Joseph Morrison

It is with tremendous sadness but a sense of relief that we announce Claude’s death at the too young age of 72. He was ill for a long time, but endured it to the end with grace, bravery and his trademark sense of humour. He was admired and cherished for his friendship, kindness, self-effacing humility and genuine concern for others. No one had a better command of trivia on awide range of topics, including anything to do with music, show business or politics. He approached all that interested him with passion.

He loved and he hated, was enamoured or enraged, but never indifferent. Claude passed away peacefully and on his own terms on April 22, 2025, surrounded by his family and close friends. Predeceased by his husband, Victor Allen; and his parents, Marguerite and Paul. He is survived by his brothers, Ross (Gayle Roebuck) and Paul (Janet); and his sister, Marg Anne; as well as his nephews, Drew (Joanna) and Brendan (Shannon Beddoe); and their children, Natalie, Naomi, Michael, Adam, and Lewis. He will be dearly missed by his partner, John Markidis.Claude loved sports and played them with enthusiasm and his own distinctive style, especially tennis and waterskiing. But it was always clear that Claude was all about the music. He sang and danced his way through childhood and just kept on going. Claude attended St. Michael’s Choir School and St. Michael’s College School in Toronto, and the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a star performer in the Penn Glee Club. After University, he pursued his interests as an actor and dancer until, he and three others formed the acapella group, The Nylons. As a Nylon, Claude had an enviable career that showcased his extraordinary talent around the world. As featured in the Canadian Encyclopedia: One of the world’s most acclaimed a cappella groups — known for their dazzling harmonies, smooth arrangements, and exuberant, the atrical live shows —The Nylons had three platinum and three gold records in Canada and sold more than three million albums internationally. Using only percussion for accompaniment, their distinctive, eclectic repertoire included many US pop hits from the 1960s through the 1980s, such as The Tokens’ “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and The Supremes’ “Up the Ladder to the Roof.” Their 1987 cover of Steam’s “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” was an international hit. They released their self-titled debut album in 1982, which went gold in

Canada in just two months and achieved platinum status on the strength of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” They then released One Size Fits All (1982), which also went platinum. In 1982, they gave their first performances in Britain and began touring in the US. In 1983 they played Australia and Holland. Their

recording of “That Kind of Man” was a hit in the latter, and they sustained their popularity in Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg with annual tours that continued for a decade.

Their 1984 album Seamless went gold in Canada and the group earned a Juno nomination that year for most promising group. In 1986, they won the Best Singer award at the Tokyo Music Festival for “Up the Ladder to the Roof,” and performed “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” on “Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Elephant Show.”Their 1987 album Happy Together, earned rave reviews and achieved platinum status in Canada. The group received a Juno nomination

that year for Canadian entertainer of the year, and their rendition of “Kiss Him Goodbye” hit No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their 1989 album Rockapella went gold in Canada. By the late 1980s The Nylons were making some 100US appearances annually — usually as headliners — including at Carnegie

Hall in 1987.

The Nylons remained active, even prolific, through the 1990s. They released12 albums between 1992 and 2002, and received Juno nominations for best R&B/soul recording in 1993 and 1995. The group’s 2011 record, Skin Tight earned a Juno nomination for best vocal jazz album. They continued to tour

internationally, playing primarily at jazz festivals around the world. Claude leaves behind many friends, including Bill MacDonell and Judy Hilmer; Victor’s son, Jason Cavener, his wife, Leslie, and their daughter, Hero; and dozens of cousins.

The family extends sincere thanks to Dr. Lucy Ma and the Oncology team at Princess Margaret Hospital, Dr. Melissa Melnitzer, Nina Barsegiants, RN, and PSWs Debbie, Ashley, Pallavi, Janet and Ogechukw for their compassionate care. There will be a Celebration of Claude’s life on June 25th at 11 a.m. at the

Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home, 467 Sherbourne St., Toronto.

Forever in our hearts.