John Patrick Gillese
Encyclopedia
John Patrick Gillese was an Irish
-born Canadian author whose prolific career spanned six decades from the early 1940s to the late 1990s. During this period he authored over 5,000 pieces including novel
s, short stories, and information columns that were published in many English-speaking countries.
His 1957 novel, Kirby's Gander, retitled Wings of Chance, was the first full-length feature film ever shot in Canada by a Hollywood production company and was pivotal in the launching of Canada's professional film industry.
Born in Ireland, his family moved to Rochfort Bridge
, Alberta
, when he was six years old. In 1947, he married Thelma Elizabeth Ashby with whom he would have six children. They later adopted a child who had fled the war in El Salvador
. He has 4 great-grandchildren and 23 grandchildren, including Canadian comedian/writer Kevin Gillese
, and actress/writer Meeshelle Neal.
As a founding director of Alberta Culture's Film and Literary Arts Branch, which he headed from 1971 to 1984, he was able to help many writers become established through workshops and contests; including the author of the book which launched the hit movie and subsequent television series 'Stargate,' Pauline Gedge.
In addition to receiving the CAA Vicky Metcalfe Body of Work Award (1967), the Writers' Guild of Alberta Lifetime Achievement Award (1995), the City of Edmonton Outstanding Citizen Award, the Western Canadian Book Publishers' Association Award, and an Outstanding Albertans award, Gillese earned dozens of additional accolades, recognition and awards.
Upon his death, the city of Edmonton named a park in his honour.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
-born Canadian author whose prolific career spanned six decades from the early 1940s to the late 1990s. During this period he authored over 5,000 pieces including novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
s, short stories, and information columns that were published in many English-speaking countries.
His 1957 novel, Kirby's Gander, retitled Wings of Chance, was the first full-length feature film ever shot in Canada by a Hollywood production company and was pivotal in the launching of Canada's professional film industry.
Born in Ireland, his family moved to Rochfort Bridge
Rochfort Bridge, Alberta
Rochfort Bridge is a hamlet in Alberta, Canada within Lac Ste. Anne County. It is located approximately northwest of Edmonton and east of Mayerthorpe....
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, when he was six years old. In 1947, he married Thelma Elizabeth Ashby with whom he would have six children. They later adopted a child who had fled the war in El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
. He has 4 great-grandchildren and 23 grandchildren, including Canadian comedian/writer Kevin Gillese
Kevin Gillese
Kevin Gillese is a Canadian actor, writer and improvisor from Edmonton, Alberta. He started as a performer with the improv company Rapid Fire Theatre and also works regularly with the Atomic Improv and performs annually at the Die-Nasty Soap-A-Thon...
, and actress/writer Meeshelle Neal.
As a founding director of Alberta Culture's Film and Literary Arts Branch, which he headed from 1971 to 1984, he was able to help many writers become established through workshops and contests; including the author of the book which launched the hit movie and subsequent television series 'Stargate,' Pauline Gedge.
In addition to receiving the CAA Vicky Metcalfe Body of Work Award (1967), the Writers' Guild of Alberta Lifetime Achievement Award (1995), the City of Edmonton Outstanding Citizen Award, the Western Canadian Book Publishers' Association Award, and an Outstanding Albertans award, Gillese earned dozens of additional accolades, recognition and awards.
Upon his death, the city of Edmonton named a park in his honour.