2006 Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-Orealis lead singer

Subject: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 05:51 PM

Mike Regenstreif posted the following message today about Kirk MacGeachy on Maplepost:

I'm very sad to report that Kirk MacGeachy died suddenly from a heart attack in his sleep on Sunday morning. He was just 56 years old.

Kirk was the lead singer of Orealis, and several earlier Celtic bands, and also worked in a duo with Dave Gossage and as a solo artist. He was also a professor of geology at John Abbott College in Montreal. Kirk was married to Pat since 1971.

I knew Kirk almost since he and Pat first moved to Montreal from Scotland in the early-1970s. I used to book his earlier band, Brahan Seer, and the first version of Orealis, at the Golem, the club that I ran in the '70s and '80s. More recently, he was a guest several times on Folk Roots/Folk Branches.

In the wee hours of Saturday morning I was joking with Kirk and Dave Gossage at the bar in the hotel we were all staying at during the Ottawa Folk Festival. Kirk was complaining that they didn't have any decent beer. Thinking back, it's hard to believe that he'd be gone 24 hours later.

Kirk's obituary, visitation and funeral information are at... http://tinyurl.co.uk/4arr

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 06:01 PM

Sorry to hear this.

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy
From: C. Ham
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 06:11 PM

I'm very sorry to hear this sad news. Kirk was a wonderful singer and a very nice guy. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy
From: SunnySister
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 07:12 PM

My condolences on the loss of your dear friend. I'm so sorry.

-- SunnySister

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy
From: Beer
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 07:55 PM

Just so hard to believe. Wanted so bad to have him back this year at our folk festival but it was not to be. He will be missed by many.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-lead singer of Orealis 8-06
From: GUEST,Dave O'Heare
Date: 25 Aug 06 - 04:19 PM

I'm so sorry to hear this. Orealis' bit was one of the highlights of my stint at the Ottawa Folk Festival (I was the sound technician at the side stage that they played at on Saturday). For what it's worth, they were terrific.

Dave O'Heare

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-lead singer of Orealis 8-06
From: GUEST,Lois Siegel
Date: 25 Aug 06 - 09:27 PM

Just before last Christmas Kirk wrote:
Off to Scotland tomorrow
night...excited!! Kirk
Have a merry one!!

And more recently:
Dave and I send greetings from Germany. Tour is going great
Were in Switzerland last night. Hope you had a good St. Paddys.

His spirits were always 'up.'

The last time I photographed him, he was worried that about getting older.... He wrote: Didn't realise my beard was getting so white!

Kirk's singing of Bridget O'Malley will always be my favorite.

I will miss him.....

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-lead singer of Orealis 8-06
From: GUEST,Lois Siegel
Date: 26 Aug 06 - 12:12 PM

Photos of Kirk and Orealis at the Irish Festival in Ottawa last summer:

http://www.siegelproductions.ca/ottawarocks/irishfest.htm

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-lead singer of Orealis 8-06
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 26 Aug 06 - 12:45 PM

Thanks for the link, Lois. I just went and checked it out. Good photos.

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-lead singer of Orealis 8-
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Aug 06 - 02:41 PM

Lois,

Thanks for posting the pictures. They capture Kirk and the Gossage Brothers very well indeed.

However, the information on Kirk's death is incorrect, no doubt stemming from an incorrect email that was circulating on Monday last.

Kirk did not play at Hurley's on Saturday before dying. His last gig there was the Thursday before.

He came home from playing at the Ottawa Folk Festival on Saturday, had dinner with Pat and complained about a bit of heartburn. He went to bed and, sadly, never woke up.

Kirk, my old friend, rest easy. You had a grand send-off yesterday morning. We packed the church and remembered you well. Your brother was there from Australia to offer a moving eulogy. Pat, who has held up so well and so bravely this past week, led us in clapping along as the Gossages and other friends played the music you loved so much.

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-lead singer of Orealis 8-06
From: GUEST,Michael Bianco
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 12:32 AM

Sadly i found out that Kirk passed on, today. And i am deeply sadened.
I have had Kirk as a teacher at John Abbott College in 2005. He was by far the best teacher i have had; he was so interested in his teaching and so knolegeable that it made us all interested. He was always up for telling us a joke or funny comment and had a great humour. He always lightened my day; since he struck me as a man of all trades. He would often talk about his music 'events', traveling, and working in the Bahamas. It seems as though he did not waste a single minute of his life.

Here is to a great teacher, a man of many talents. I will always remember you, You have inspired me.

We will see you soon.
Thank you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-lead singer of Orealis 8-06
From: GUEST,Michael Tomasek
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 03:23 AM

A wonderful man. I have nothing but fond memories.

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-lead singer of Orealis 8-06
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Apr 07 - 02:01 AM

well im hoping im reaching THE MiKE tomaseK just wanted to say hellllo AS degenarate as ever (i yam) kirk was a great dude   love ya      mr mike freed (om) cheers & happy passover

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-lead singer of Orealis 8-06
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 03:31 PM

very sad to hear this. i only met kirk a few times but he always made an impression on me. a gentle soul, with a great deal of passion for his craft. i will always remember him fondly.

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-Orealis lead singer Aug 2006
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 07:58 PM

Rest in Peace...

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-Orealis lead singer Aug 2006
From: GUEST,Wullie Haines, Edinburgh, Scotland
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 10:03 AM

I heard through the grapevine that Kirk had passed on. He and I used to have blethers about our love of traditional music and our part of the world, he (I believe) from Fife, Scotland and myself from Dundee, just up the road. A good guy, heart in the right place, a canny chiel. I will miss his visits.

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-Orealis lead singer Aug 2006
From: Beer
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 04:17 PM

Yes it was truly a sad passing.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-Orealis lead singer Aug 2006
From: GUEST,Mark
Date: 18 Mar 14 - 04:16 PM

Just stumbled upon this from a few years back. Very sorry to here of Kirk's passing. I remember they came to McGill in '89 or '90, playing on the front lawn in front of the Arts building, if memory serves. I have in my possession a tape I purchased from them, that I believe was Orealis's first studio recording, but I cannot find it on any online discographies. It has the three band members pictured on the front of a medium blue background. I'd love to get my hands on this in CD format, if anyone knows where it can be gotten. Email me if you have any info: [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-Orealis lead singer Aug 2006
From: GUEST,Mark
Date: 18 Mar 14 - 04:21 PM

On second thought, maybe it's just a different cover than the one I see for "Celtic Music." So, I guess I can get a hold of it online, maybe? Nothing on Orealis on Youtube. Strange.

Subject: RE: Obit: Kirk MacGeachy-Orealis lead singer Aug 2006
From: GUEST,Pat MacGeachy 20 July 2018
Date: 20 Jul 18 - 03:43 PM

I am just reading this . Kirk was with Green Linnet and they have music available. Then Kirk and friends produced their own albums. I think this is the correct interpretation of what happened.