It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Harry Pavelson on September 19, 2021 at the age of 69.

Harry was born in Toronto in 1952 to Magda and Jekabs Pavelson and lived with his parents and older sisters Mara and Inara. He had both a love and aptitude for art and music from an early age, and attended the Ontario College of Art (OCAD) in the early 1970s, where he studied painting and sculpture.

A longtime scenic artist and member of IATSE Local 873, Harry was very proud of his chosen craft. He worked hard over the decades and had not fully retired from the work he loved before he died. He loved being “one of the old guys” and had a special place in his heart for the people he came up with. Harry was proud of the younger members he worked with, and always had time to share his knowledge.

Partner in crime to Carol Arbour for more than 40 years, Harry was a steady, kind, and generous family man. After being together for 16 years, they tied the knot in 1996. The party was epic. Harry showed great care and love for his kids Jane and Michael, from the first time he let them walk up his body and do flips as little kids, through teenage drama and angst, to supporting them through pretty much everything as adults. They will forever miss sitting down with him and drinking his beer with the oysters he shucked, and will even miss listening to the jazz he blasted inappropriately early on weekend mornings.

Harry treasured his nephews and nieces, and was very proud of all of them.

Other than Carol, the great love story of Harry’s life was his grandson Emmet. Two peas in a pod, they were joined at the hip and regularly had long, rambling conversations about God knows what, baffling all witnesses. Harry loved dropping Emmet off in the schoolyard when he wasn’t working a show, and over the years the two of them swam, biked, canoed, kayaked and skied together often.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to University Settlement’s Music & Arts School: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/t/64972

Harry’s family is grateful for the outpouring of love and kindness from those who knew and loved him.

Harry was one of a kind. He is loved and missed.