Tom Kneebone actor and artistic director who gave so much joy to the elderly

On my walk at historic Necropolis Cemetery in Toronto, I visited the grave of Canadian actor, Tom Kneebone.

Born in New Zealand, Kneebone received his theatrical training at the Bristol Old Vic. In 1959, he toured North America with the London Old Vic Company and left to immigrate to Canada where he joined both the Shaw and Stratford Festivals.

In 1987, Tom became the artistic director of the Smile Theatre Company, “Canada’s only professional theatre company dedicated to performing in seniors citizens’ homes, care facilities, hospitals and activity centres. The role of the company was to bridge the cultural gap for older adults.

In early-2003, he was named a member of both the Order of Canada in recognition of being a multi-talented performer who has had a long and eclectic career while his Order of Ontario honour was for having “brought joy to the lives of thousands of seniors confined to nursing homes and long-term care facilities through live theatre.”

Tom Kneebone died in Toronto on November 15, 2003. He was 71.

1932-2003