Chris Hyndman, 'our blazing comet,' recalled in obituary
Family calls for donations to The Red Door, The Tommy Sexton Shelter
The family and friends of Chris Hyndman have paid tribute to the television personality with an obituary recalling him as "our beautiful boy" and "our blazing comet."
In an obituary published by Toronto's Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home & Chapel, the beloved host of CBC's Steven and Chris is remembered for his love of beauty, his infectious charisma and his influence as an LGBTQ role model.
"In Christopher's world, beauty could be found everywhere. In the perfume of ocean air, in the cut of a suit, the construction of a high Louboutin heel, the harmonious design of a room or a simple meal prepared from scratch by Steven," a reference to his longtime onscreen and off-screen partner Steven Sabados.
"Christopher was always seeking to understand better the complexities of our human existence. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than knowing he had, in some way, shifted someone's life for the better, changed a rigid point of view, or showed a struggling teenager in some remote town somewhere in Canada, that being LGBTQ was cause for celebration and pride."
Ottawa-born, Newfoundland-raised Hyndman was found Aug. 3 without vital signs in a laneway near the home he shared in Toronto with Sabados. He was 49 years old. Hyndman is survived by Sabados, his mother, Glenda Hyndman, his father, Ted Purnell, and a large extended family of relatives and friends.
Funeral details have not been announced, but a public celebration of Hyndman's life "will take place at a future date."
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested mourners make donations to two charities that offer emergency shelter to those in need:
- The Red Door.
- The Tommy Sexton Shelter.
Memorial draws mourners
Throughout last week, fans and colleagues descended on the CBC headquarters in Toronto to leave messages, mementoes and flowers at a memorial set up in the building's atrium, where dozens of screens projected Hyndman's face.
- Chris Hyndman remembered for his wit and warmth
- Canadians offer outpouring of sympathy after death of Christopher Hyndman
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