Comments on: Unlimited Growth Increases the Divide: RIP George Riste

By: A. Johal

A. Johal — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 07:12:37 +0000

God bless you George,

A wonderful soul,

I can only wish more people will be like you,

Rest in Peace.

By: Chris Melanidis

Chris Melanidis — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 04:10:16 +0000

Bravo to George for believing in the greater good of comunity and humanity and not the almighty dollar. His legacy is set and will hopefully be remembered and cherised for years to come……..rest well George.

By: john neufeld

john neufeld — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 06:44:58 +0000

I have wondered over the years about that building’s odd turn of a phrase, and I googled it to find this. The first time I went past this building, I was staying at the old “Alcazar” which was nearby while going to a cousins wedding.

I can’t say for certain when I first noticed the sign, but I did see it on my way to work when I was at H.A. Somon and Ass. in their office at #5 W. Pender and later on when I walked back after work to the Railway.

I am saddened with the upturn in gentrification in all but especially this area in the GVRD.

By: LB

LB — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 09:43:20 +0000

Office of the Mayor
City of Vancouver
British Columbia
Proclamation

“George Riste Day”

Whereas George Riste is a community treasure who graced the City of Vancouver with immense generosity over many decades,

and whereas George Riste provided low income housing to those in need and saved a heritage hotel,

and whereas George Riste generously provided space at reduced rents for non-profit art galleries in Vancouver including the Contemporary Art Gallery, the Belkin Satellite and the Or Gallery,

and whereas George Riste believed in giving back to society by providing affordable spaces in the city in order to build community,

and whereas George Riste demonstrated great courage and vision by refusing to sell the Del Mar Inn or let it be demolished for any price,

and whereas George Riste’s collaboration with artist Kathryn Walter to produce the text on the Del Mar Inn that reads ‘Unlimited Growth Increases the Divide’, continues to serve as an enduring and poetic statement about the perils of free markets without limits and the need for a social conscience in all matters,

and whereas George Riste was an elegant, understated hero in the City of Vancouver, leaving a legacy and reputation that stands as an example to be emulated,

and whereas George Riste would have turned 90 on December 22nd,

and whereas for all this, in celebration of his life and in our sadness at his passing,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gregor Robertson, Mayor of the City of Vancouver, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM December 22nd, 2010 as

“GEORGE RISTE DAY”

By: LB

LB — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 09:42:33 +0000

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/tom-hawthorn/the-heartfelt-hotel-a-monument-to-a-friend-of-the-poor-and-of-the-arts/article1819743/

By: LB

LB — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 08:29:55 +0000

The memorial service today was great. George’s wife Marjory, elderly but quick, gave a really accomplished speech, impromptu and quite comic, and George’s son Mike also gave an excellent speech that included (among other things) a harrowing story about George’s experiences in the war as a commando parachuted behind German enemy lines — he was sent in to destroy decoders but was taken prisoner of war, after which he then managed to escape through Portugal. Mike said George used to say of The Great Escape with Steve McQueen “that was nothing compared to what happened to me!” But generally George never discussed the war. Many said that he didn’t like to discuss himself either, or be talked about or praised, and that he would never have agreed to attend today’s memorial had he been alive, which made everyone laugh. It was an informal memorial with many people giving speeches, especially the four curators who have worked in the galleries harboured over the years in George’s Del Mar Inn. The real surprise was an unknown man who stood up and introduced himself as the broker/dealmaker who had been hired by BC Hydro 30 years ago to pressure George to sell the Del Mar. He said it was a shock not be able to make a deal, but that he found George one of the most amazing and memorable people he’d ever met in his career, and that he felt he wanted to come today to pay his respects. He was in tears when he sat down. Marjory was presented with the George Riste Day proclamation signed by the mayor and then gave it right back to the Or Gallery to hang in our office. I will print the proclamation below.

By: Dorothy Field

Dorothy Field — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 04:27:42 +0000

I wish I had known George Riste. Reading this is so moving. May we all learn to stand for what we believe and may the arts flourish despite the setbacks of these last years.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 02:37:16 +0000

Everything about this post made my eyes prickle with warmth.

By: LB

LB — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 07:59:11 +0000

In reply to K. I hope you heard that, George.

By: K

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:44:41 +0000

Brilliant! That a energy conglomerate, an SRO and multiple nonprofit galleries can coexist not just on one block, but as essentially one building inside multiple architectures, is profoundly inspiring. Cheers to staunch and curmudgeonly visionaries like Mr. Riste.