GREGORY WILLIAMS Gregory Thomas John Williams, born April 25, 1947 in the Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston; died October 14, 2013 at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. Private cremation. The son of Ellen Williams Fraser and the late Harold Williams, brother of Donna MCNees and Barry Williams, special brother of Karen Kingston, Linda Kay Sorensen, Sandra Sorensen, Tom and Dawn Sorensen, Norma Sorensen and Sue Sorensen, uncle, cousin, nephew, friend to many, and beloved partner of Warren Sorensen. An internationally known ikebana artist and master instructor, Gregory was the founding President of Ikebana International Toronto Chapter, and the Director of Sogetsu School Toronto Branch for almost 25 years. He was honoured with many awards and was a frequent guest of groups engaged in ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. He was a well known teacher of Sogetsu ikebana, and taught regular classes in Toronto and Ottawa for many years. Gregory demonstrated the art of ikebana, exhibited his arrangements and gave workshops in many other cities in North America, Japan, Australia and Europe. Greg grew up in a military family, living in a number of army bases in Ontario and, notably, in Soest, Germany, where he spent his high school years. Those experiences confirmed a world view and outlook on life characterized by openness and optimism. Greg formed deep and long-lasting friendships. Those were very important to him and were never taken for granted. Many friends became so close they were like family to Greg, a status that applied to some relatively new friends as well as those forged over many years. The Toronto homes that Greg and Warren lived in during their 47 years together, and their winter home in Palm Springs over the last 10 years, were places for family and friends to enjoy good company, adorable dogs, music and art, and good food and drink. Greg was a welcoming host and an excellent cook. It is perhaps a cruel irony that for the last two months of his life Greg could not eat. But you would have heard little in the way of complaint from Greg about this. In those two months that Greg battled the especially virulent form of cancer that claimed him, his main concern, characteristically, was for the feelings of those around him. He didn't dwell on what was happening to him, and didn't want others to be upset on his account. During his month in Sunnybrook Hospital he was thankful for the care and kindness he received in C2 and D4-ICU. Greg never lost the dignity and grace with which he conducted his life. He was a unique and bright presence in the lives of those he touched. He was greatly loved, and deserved it. Anyone wishing to make a memorial donation is asked to consider the National Ballet of Canada Endowment Foundation, thereby supporting a company that Greg supported as a member of the Patrons Council for many years.