Faire(s):
- King Richard's Faire (WI)
Groups/Characters:
Years:
??
|
Gordon Bourne II
Actor, designer, businessman and AIDS
activist Gordon Bourne II, 35, gently passed away Jan 16 at his
home in Denver, Colo., three years and six months after being
diagnosed with AIDS. Memorial services were held in Denver
on Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. An additional memorial and celebration
of his life will be held at Ann Sathers, Belmont Ave. in Chicago
on Sunday, Jan 27.
As a young
person, Gordon traveled extensively with his military family.
After studying theater at Northwestern University in the
mid-1970's, he chose Chicago as his permanent home. He is
best remembered for his years of work with the King Richard's
Faire in Chicago and Boston. He served as a mask-maker and
prop designer for several Chicago Off-Loop theaters, including the
Organic, City Lit and Magic Circle. He also created several
street characters at King Richard's Faire, including a very
humorous Wizard and Elven warrior.
Gordon's design
credits included prop canes that looked like hypodermic needles
from "Unfinished Business" at the Bailiwick Theatre Co.
benefiting the Chicago Aids Project: costumes for a
futuristic Road Warrior production of "Macbeth," props
for the Jeff cited "Diggory's Rag" for City Lit Theatre
Co,; masks and various props for "Really Tall Tales," a
stilt show produced at King Richard's Faire.
His latest
business venture was the design, production and marketing of
flower garlands for craft shows. His company was called
Green Man Garlands. As a builder and craftsman Gordon
renovated several buildings, re-furbished antiques, created custom
cabinets and bookcases with his close friend Wolf and
optimistically tinkered with his lime green 1973 VW Bug.
This last project gave him endless pleasure and made us all laugh
a lot! He devoted the past year of his life to AIDS activism
in Denver. He was a panelist at the 3rd Annual Medicine and
Miracles Conference in Boulder, May of 1990. He spoke to
students at the Aurora Public Schools in Denver, and participated
in ACT-UP.
In addition to
his work, Gordon had hundreds of friends. His struggle was
long and difficult. His life was extraordinarily rich.
His spirit never wavered. Gordon was and Everyman whose lust
for living inspired us all. He will be greatly misses but
will always be alive in our hearts. Good-bye Gordy, we love
you!
He is survived
by his loving parents, Thelma and Gordon Sr., and his very special
sister, Jenny. Donations are requested for the aids Project,
Denver General Hospital or Direct Aid Chicago.
Taken from Windy City Times,
Thursday, January 31, 1991
courtesy Diane Hayes (nee Rugger) |