John Cloutier By Keith Rice-Jones

Our potting community is saddened with the untimely passing of
John Cloutier. John has given so much, not only to our community
but also to his profession as a chef. Most potters thought of him as a
chef and his chefs, as a potter.

As in all things, John was a generous giver of himself to both these
major aspects of his life. His outspoken, always with a touch of
humour, views on issues always came from caring about the individuals
involved. It might have been encouraging the best with the team he
was working with for the Culinary Olympics or arriving early at the
back of an east end cooking school to clear up needles before anyone
else arrived. The school changed the lives of many young people. He
was a mentor to many at the Burnaby Potters Guild and a generous
sharer of his raku expertise.

When John served on the board of the Potters Guild of BC, he was
particularly interested in helping young people at the beginning of
their involvement with clay. He was the instigator of the Oven and
Kiln initiative that brought together the two sides of his world to raise
funds for ceramic education, primarily aimed at high school students
planning to pursue ceramics. The Oven and Kiln continues as the
primary fundraiser of the North-West Ceramic Foundation whose
principal aim is ceramic education.

In 2003, the guild was in financial crisis and almost went under.
John was part a “dream board” that stepped up in rescue mode. There
was a tremendous response from membership at that time, but it was
the residue of the education fund that John had raised, which was not
being adequately accessed, that was an enormous boost to the guild’s
recovery.

John was an original maker, drawing on many sources. He is well
remembered for arriving at one of the guild’s Made of Clay sales with
just three pots. While everyone else set up booths and laid-out their
collection of work, John simply put his pots on plinths, sat on his stool
and waited for sales. He was the best seller at the sale!

When I wrote this, John was still with us and—typically—he
had requested some single malt, and enjoyed a last taste of Talisker
before he left us. John will be sorely missed by his family, his many
friends, and our potting community. Though our community will be
diminished by his passing, we are richer for having had him as part of
us. We will miss his colourful presence.

John passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning
of Jan. 27.

John Cloutier

Egyptian Plaque, by
John Cloutier.

Email from Lorna Cloutier:

John's Celebration of Life

Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 5 p.m.

Fraser Room, River Rock Casino Resort

8811 River Road, Richmond

(in the conference centre on the river side of the hotel. River Rock is a
short distance from YVR and on the skytrain line.)

Hosted by the B.C. Chef's Association.

Refreshments will be served.

I'm not quite sure what is planned, but I know it will be wonderful
food!

If you wish to make a donation in John's memory we are suggesting
The Surrey Hospice Society, 13857 — 68th Ave., Surrey, B.C. V3W
2G9 604.543.7006, specifically Laurel Place Hospice. They took such
great care of John for his last six weeks. Tax receipts will be issued for
any donation above $25.

Could you please pass this information on to anyone that might
not be getting this email? He had a vast group of friends and business
acquaintances in the Chefs’ Association, hospitality industry, Potters
Guild, the art world in general, also my many friends in Girl Guides,
NWHSS, yoga and the construction industry.

If anyone has any pictures of John in any aspect of his life, please
email to me (Lorna_Cloutier@telus.net) as the Chefs’ Association is
going to put a Powerpoint of John’s life together. Please send as soon
possible as we will be putting it together on the weekend.

Potters Guild of BC Newsletter - February 2013

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