Jean François Rebours

Jean François Rebours, or affectionately known as JF, was born in the seaside town of Saint Cast, France. He was educated at the Lycée Français de Madrid, Université de Rennes and Université de Paris with interests in philosophy, political science and art history. For his military service, he was stationed in Dakar, Senegal. JF immigrated to Quebec in 1965 arriving on the S.S. RYNDAM Holland America Line. In March 1972 he became a Canadian citizen and worked as an educator of French Language at Canadian military bases in Ontario, Quebec and in BC.

JF loved to drive the west coast of California, and did so many times. He collected hundreds if not thousands of books at his favourite bookstores, Bolen Books and Munro’s Books, regularly landing at Murchies for a delicious madeleine. Always a student of life, JF made copious notes and updated his vocabulary to keep up with the times. His classical music collection was equally as impressive.

In a lifelong quest to find peace with non-materialism, at several junctions in his life he donated his possessions to friends and strangers and charity shops. His pursuit for enlightenment took him from being a lover of wines to a drinker of only water. His pronouncements about the fate of the world, or of himself, were stark but not unkind.

Son of Louis and Andrée Rebours, Jean François Rebours had long separated from France. A solitary individual, JF was loved by Victoria artists David Ferguson & Miles Lowry, who were friends and cared for him. JF provided his voice for Suddenly Dance Theatre’s film about Jean Cocteau OPIUM (2005) directed by Lowry/Ferguson. This brief recording captures his melodic timbre, and holds the treasure of a man who loved language, nature, and art.