It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of two long-time NAC Members. Ted Ziegler and Michael D’Amico died within days of each other, Ted in St. Catharines and Michael in Toronto. Ted was an incredible and prolific painter and an early member of NAC. Michael was a musician, painter, and former NAC Board President in the 1980s. The following announcements have been circulated to the NAC membership with the cooperation of their loved ones. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and community of friends that these artists leave behind.
Ted Ziegler
TED ZIEGLER
From the obituary notice in the St. Catharines Standard
You can find it here
At his home in St. Catharines on July 2, 2021 at 64 years old, Ted passed away peacefully. Ted will be lovingly remembered by his mother Dorothy Joan Ziegler, his father Klemance (Ziggy) Ziegler of Welland, Ontario, his sisters Colleen Ziegler and Tammy Ziegler, both of St Catharines, Ontario.
Born in Kitchener, Ontario, Ted grew up in Port Dalhousie and attended Lakeport High School. He studied art at an early age under Heinz Gaugel, and later with Karen Barbour and Dennis Lukas. In his youth, he was involved with the Garden City Productions plays (Annie Get Your Gun, The Sound of Music) and the Press Theatres “Snow White” as well as plays put on at home to raise money for charities (The Magic Lamp and It’s a Secret which he co-wrote). He loved early 70s muscle cars and used to terrorize the town in his lime green Dodge Duster, laying rubber at corners here and there.
Ted left high school at 16 to pursue his great passion in life – ART. He worked for some years on the lake boats, where he would get commissions of portraits from ship captains and pursue his art at home in the off season. He was an early member of the NIAGARA ARTISTS COMPANY, and had many one-man shows through the years, participated in group shows and won awards and grants throughout his lifetime. He created and sold a huge collection of oil on canvas original paintings – usually surrealistic and wild.
He was also a wonderful portrait artist and would do commission in charcoal and oils. Among his many other projects. He was commissioned to create the book cover for an edition of Mordecai Richlers “The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz”, a magazine cover for “American Atheist”, murals in St. Catharines, Ontario, Welland, Ontario plus some further afield. He did carvings of totem poles, drew drawings for a comic book he and his late friend Martin Edmonds penned, plus did some stand up comedy and music performances as well!
Ted was all about creating provocative, creative works of art that will live on and inspire others.
Friends will be received at the HULSE & ENGLISH FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL; 75 Church Street, St. Catharines (905-684-6346) on Friday, July 9th, 2021 from 7 – 9 p.m., and again on Saturday, July 10th from 12 – 1 p.m. Due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting attendance, guests will be asked to line up outside of our front entrance, keeping 6ft distance from other guests in line. Guests will be directed in to the building by staff when it is safe to do so and are required to leave contact tracing information. Masks are a requirement while inside the building. A funeral service will be held in our Chapel on Saturday, July 10th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. With limited attendance as a consideration, those who wish to attend are asked to call Hulse & English to reserve a space in our Chapel.
Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.hulseandenglish.com
Michael D'Amico
MICHAEL D’AMICO
Published in St. Catharines Standard on Jul. 8, 2021
It can be found here
On Monday, July 5, 2021, Michael passed peacefully in the comfort of his Toronto home after a lengthy battle with cancer. Born September 29, 1960 in St. Catharines. Michael was known for his athleticism in hockey, lacrosse, track and field, as well as his music and art in his early years. Michael would continue on an artistic path through the study of Art in Toronto at the Ontario College Of Art and at the Center of Fine Arts College in Banff. He continued his passions in art as an accomplished musician, producer/composer and as an amazing photographer. Michael was a gifted artist who made significant contributions through his various works and in his collaborations with many other artists, musicians and photographers in Niagara, Toronto and abroad. Michael’s kindness, gentleness, humour and wit among others will be dearly missed. His gifts of art, music and photography remain with us as reminders of the great man he was.
Michael unknowingly met his angel, Jennifer Grant, through their shared interest and talents in photography. His life was enriched and graced through Jennifer’s love, support and selflessness. His family cannot fully express their heartfelt appreciation for Jennifer and they share in her great loss.
Michael is the beloved son of Mike and the late Norma D’Amico, brother to Joanne (Don) Ferguson, Jim D’Amico and Dan (Leigh-Ann) D’Amico. Uncle to Donald (Amber) Ferguson, Danielle Ferguson, Braden D’Amico and Riley D’Amico. Great Uncle to Abigail Ferguson. Michael’s large extended family includes many aunts, uncles and cousins from the D’Amico and McPherson families.
Michael’s art, music and photography can be found through internet searches, including his recently completed album titled “Path of Desire” on Spotify.
A private gathering with immediate family will take place in the days to follow and a celebration of Michael’s life will be arranged at a future date.
Here is a link to Michael’s last album Path of Desire.
