KEVIN JAMES KENNEDY
1955 - 2023
Kevin was a past member of our Board of Directors and a good friend to all of us. He passed away suddenly after a brief illness at the Hamilton General Hospital, on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at the age of 67. Beloved husband of MaryLou D'Amico.
An ascending grandad, cherishing his final butterfly flight with Ella and sparkling drone delight with Noah. With his loving smile and gentle laugh, Kevin could always add his own humor to any situation.
He will be missed every year at the festival and remembered fondly for the dedication he gave to us for many years.
HARPDOG BROWN
1962 - 2022
Harpdog Brown, beloved and award-winning Canadian blues singer, songwriter, and harmonicist died peacefully in his sleep on January 7th, 2022. He was 59. Brown is being remembered around the world for his class, kindness, and larger-than-life personality.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta on January 28, 1962, he was adopted into a family with a musical mother who played slide guitar. He began playing guitar around age 15 in a local garage band. After several other projects, he put together his own traveling blues band in the early 80s. He described being in a traveling band much like being in a circus, clocking tens of thousands of miles to play gigs big and small.
SANDRA SMALE
1944 - 2021
The Shuffle family is saddened to announce the passing of Sandy Smale, Vice Chair of our Board of Directors.
Sandy lived and worked in Port Credit for over 40 years and was always an active community member. She was a strong believer in giving back to our community and followed that path. She was the Community Relationships Developer for Lakeshore Corridor Community Team, a Director on the Mississauga Waterfront Festival, sat on the Lakeshore EDA Board and was a long-standing team member of the Canada Day Paint the Town Red Committee. Her passion and commitment to the Southside Shuffle were long-standing. She was dedicated to the Southside Shuffle for 19 years as a Team Leader before joining the Board in 2013.
MICHAEL FONFARA
1946 - 2021
Longtime Downchild Blues Band and Lou Reed keyboardist Michael Fonfara died in a Toronto hospital on January 8, 20201 at age 74 of cancer. Fonfara is best known for his decade-long run performing with late punk progenitor Reed on the albums Rock and Roll Heart (1976), Street Hassle (1978), Live: Take No Prisoners (1978), The Bells (1979) and 1980's Growing Up in Public, which he co-wrote and co-produced with Reed.
"It is with heavy hearts that we sadly announce the passing of our dear friend and long-time bandmate, Michael Fonfara," read a statement from his longtime bandmates in The Downchild Blues Band. "He was an incredible musician, a gentle soul and we were honoured to share the stage with him every time we performed.
BEATRICE MOREIRA-LAIDLOW
1964 - 2020
It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of our beloved Queen Bea who lost her battle with Cancer. Beatrice was an integral and active member of the Shuffle Advisory Board as well as the GM for the Port Credit BIA. We relied on Bea for her 20 years of insight and advise. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Rest In Peace our dear friend.
PENNY COUSARD
1975 - 2020
Penny was a Port Credit supporter through and through.
As a longtime volunteer with the Southside Shuffle, Cousard served mostly in the volunteer tent, helping volunteers register and giving them goodie bags.
She was also assigned to work in ticket and merchandise sales and anywhere else where she would be counted on to interact with people a lot. Penny also lent her efforts to other volunteer opportunities, including The Compass food bank and other festivals in Port Credit.
JOHN MAYS
1941 - 2016
John Mays was the lead singer of FATHEAD for twenty four years until his death in 2016, in that time he was awarded six Maple Blues Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year and in 1995 the West Coast Blues Award for Best Male Vocalist.
PETER (SAB) SABOURIN
1964 - 2015
Original Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw, Husband, Father, Son, Brother & Friend - passed away peacefully at his home, family farm, surrounded by love & friendship.
ANGUS MACKAY
1953 - 2010
It is with great sadness that Laurie, Sean and Julienne announce the passing of Angus on Tuesday, June 15, 2010.
Angus was a founding member of the Southside Shuffle and a long time friend and bandmate of Chuck Jackson. He was the designer and producer of the very first printed program for the festival
DAVE de EYRE
2007
Dave was a very active community leader, the owner of Clifts Marine Sales and a member of the Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival Board of Directors. Dave was also a past Chairman of the Port Credit BIA Board of Directors. He loved Port Credit and he made a difference.
