January 5, 1950 – September 21, 2022

In his own words, Tom left this planet peacefully. He died at home with his best friends, Pauline and Dennis, at his side. What a life he lived!

Tom was born and raised in London, Ontario. He studied art at H.B. Beal Secondary School. Tom always wanted to be an artist and he loved making art. He was a voracious reader and scoured the library researching his projects.

Tom continued to create sculptures, in spite of living with Parkinson’s, until he passed away. His most recent works were a life-sized Polar Bear and an oversized Sandhill Crane – both happily residing on the farm of a private art collector.

He had so many more sculptures to build.

Tom has been a large part of the Canadian art scene since the early 1970’s. His iconic “White Rhino” graces the front lawn of Museum London. His work has appeared in solo and group exhibitions across Canada, the United States, and internationally. His art can be found in the permanent collections of the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Confederation Centre for the Arts, the Tom Thomson Gallery, major galleries across Canada, in public institutions, corporate collections, and in many private art collections.

A sculptor, a painter and an installation artist, Tom was ahead of his time. His work has been described as multi-layered, physically demanding, powerful, and political. He expressed his ideas through finely crafted, idiosyncratic, complex objects intended to delight the eye while challenging the viewer to question how we live in this world.

Tom created sculptures and paintings to commemorate his favourite trees, endangered and extinct wildlife, and little known or lost Indigenous histories within the Canadian narrative. Noted art scholar, Joan Murray, said “Tom Benner is a spirit for the twenty-first century, eloquent without being didactic, serious without being weighty. Benner’s work offers a timely perspective. He ventures into unknown territory and subjects, contending with realities and ambiguities while looking ahead. His work is far-sighted and prophetic. He is already some kind of classic to be understood and valued. His work will continue to reward viewers who seek artists relevant to the crucial issues of nature, Indigenous histories, and the environment today. It will take us a while to catch up.”

Art critic, Gary Michael Dault, wrote in the Globe and Mail after visiting Tom’s Auto Show exhibit at U of T, “what Benner does have at the ready is a profound and rather urgent sense of the distortions of history and a passionate need to question received ideas. I think of Benner as a rolling anthropologist. He sees himself as a historian.”

Tom was renowned for his cooking skills and storytelling, both of which he shared generously. His jalapeños rellenos and tacos were a favourite of family and friends. He held his children and nieces and nephews in awe (or doubled over in laughter!) as he told and retold his childhood adventures. They will carry those stories with them forever.

Deeply missed by his wife, Pauline McHenry, his brother-in-law Dennis, extended family, and close friends. Tom’s quiet strength and creative talent live on in his much loved children: Alice (Rich), Leif (Karen), Traven (Kristin); grandchildren, Max, Luc, Elijah, Henry, Lucinda, and Elora. He is survived by his siblings Ron (Jamelie), Cathy (Tony d.), David (Yin) and Lori (Alan).

During these last months, Tom was grateful to our thoughtful, cherished friends, our family, and our neighbours who have dropped by with food, flowers and many a kind word. You mean so much to us. The last part of Tom’s journey was made easier with your love, support and kindness. A special mention to the incredible support staff at Medical Priorities who were key in Tom’s care.

We will miss you Tommy.

At Tom’s request, no service will be held. Please send flowers to someone you care about and think of Tom.  Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com