20070629_clinton1.jpg

Faces of Toronto: Clinton

.
I am pleased to introduce Clinton. I found him at Nathan Phillips Square finishing a telephone call and on his way to listen to the TD Canada Trust Jazz Festival beside the white tents. His hair and beard piqued my camera's interest and I decided I wanted to learn his story.

He moved to Canada with his wife from the rural area of Guyana more than thirty years ago in search of the "dream". She was from a more urban area of Guyana and his family didn't approve of the "city girl". They left their homeland to start a new life together in Canada, living on both coasts and many places in between as he worked as a school teacher. It was a good life for many years

The marriage ended after more than two decades and they went their separate ways. He is now retired and collects his pension while travelling around the city with his marble-mouthed male dragon cane. He is a painter but has no room left to display his work in his home. The walls are filled and he has returned to his passion of writing. He has published an autobiography that also contains his poetry and is working on self publishing his next work.

Clinton is educated, artistic and philosophical and his motto is "Wherever you are, be happy".

Toronto is filled with faces and most don't get the chance to hear the stories behind them. We are all busy in our lives and connections are often wireless, faceless and lacking in personal touches. Clinton is my first introduction to the Faces of Toronto and there are only several million to go.


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Lineups for the ferry from the Toronto Islands are already packed and chaotic

Someone tried to help at scene of Ontario crash and had their car stolen immediately

This race proves whether it's faster to 'ride the loop' on TTC subway or walk

Ontario is home to a second venomous snake species you may not know about

There's a new worst road in Ontario but Toronto's nightmare street is still up there

People are complaining about another feature of Toronto's declining waterfront attraction

Canada Child Benefit increasing soon and you could get nearly $7,800 per kid

A Toronto park is about to be totally transformed and here's what it will look like