Obituary of Gwilym John Bevan
Dr. Gwilym Bevan, FRCCO (Chm): FTCL: B.Ed. on 23 February 2024 in his 98th year.
Survived by his granddaughter Helen Bevan-Jones (and her family, husband Darren and sons, Tristan, Macauley), daughter-in-law Jean Bevan, in Wales, UK. Predeceased by his late wives, Lois, Margaret, and Beryl; his sons, John, Gerald, and Michael; his parents, Ethel and Emlyn Bevan; and his sister, Gwyneth Bevan.
Gwilym was born and educated in Wales before serving with the British 4th Armoured Brigade in N.W. Europe during and following World War II.
In 1956, he emigrated to Canada and was Director of Music at Trinity United Church in Kitchener for the next eleven years. He then went on to organ and school positions in Brockville and London, ON, and Lennoxville, QC. This was followed by 16 years in PEI, mainly as Director of Music at The Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown, Organist at The Kirk of St. James in Charlottetown, and teaching at The University of Prince Edward Island.
Dr. Bevan returned to his native Britain numerous times for holidays and to give organ recitals in numerous cathedrals and churches, and one special recital for the centenary of his childhood school. Countless choristers of all ages will remember singing under Gwilym’s direction, together with annual choir camps and choir tours in Britain, Canada, the USA, and Bermuda. He retired in 1991, later returning to live in Kitchener.
There will be no visitation or religious service.
Condolences for the family and donations to the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home through www.erbgood.com or by calling 519-745-8445.
"Music there is to last a lifetime, but not enough lifetime for all the music."