Art Drysdale, a veteran ambassador of the Nova Scotia seafood industry, talented guitarist and singer, founder of Northumberland Folk, expert social organizer, swimming coach and so much more, died suddenly on December 17 at the age of 53. He collapsed from an apparent heart attack while walking back to his office at the Nova Scotia Economic & Rural Development and Tourism (ERDT) headquarters in Halifax after attending a meeting in a nearby hotel. An ambulance raced to the scene and its crew attempted to revive him, but without success.
Art Drysdale relaxes between Artful Knave sets performed at Stayner’s Wharf Pub & Grill in Halifax, his favorite watering hole.Nova Scotia’s senior international business officer for seafood, agri-food and beverages will be remembered for many good things, including the promotion of fund raising activities to benefit young musicians and students in Cuba through the Los Primos International Youth Exchange Program.
As a “have guitar and songbook, will travel” globetrotter and tireless advocate for Nova Scotia’s fisheries and aquaculture export sector, Drysdale was instrumental in organizing the Canadian maritime province’s presence at major international seafood fairs. At almost every venue, from the European Seafood Exposition (ESE) in Brussels to the Boston Seafood Show and numerous trade events in China, Spain, Mexico and other countries, Art found ways to spread the culture and traditions of the Maritimes wherever he went. Indeed, he could belt out sea shanty tunes celebrating great ships and sailing, as well as rock ‘n roll standards and folk songs.
Drysdale, along with hand-picked musicians from Nova Scotia, other parts of Canada and the world, performed regularly at impromptu and scheduled gigs during the ESE for well more than a decade, excepting the spring of 2009 when Art was recuperating from colon cancer surgery. He was known for strumming tunes during sing-a-longs on Brussels commuter trains and in the streets to relax after a hard day’s work of introducing buyers to sellers at the fairgrounds. Always getting off at the Grand Place stop, it would be on to busy market square for more picking and singing, and perhaps imbibing in a few sips of wine as a communal bottle was passed around among the entourage. Then it would usually be onward to the Delirium Café (aka the Pink Elephant) not far away, a venue where he starred in an Atlantic Canada Pub Night performance some years ago. Plenty of patrons at the bar were first introduced to the Nova Scotian “Sociable!” call to raise a glass by Art on that occasion. And since the Delirium’s beer list features more than 2,000 different kinds of brew, rest assured that plenty of socializing took place. A final appearance to cap off ESE festivities with song and dance would typically be made at the Sheraton Hotel at Place Rogier.
Art Drysdale, ever the “Have Guitar and Songbook, Will Travel” enthusiast, jams with street musicians in downtown Brussels.
Ever eager to engage readily with people of all types and stripes anywhere at any time, Art was super-sociable in every way on every day of his life. When times were the most trying, his spirits were remarkably high and his sense of humor was not only intact but sharpened. While recovering from cancer surgery in the hospital almost five years ago, he brought smiles to the faces of doctors, nurses and patients on a daily basis.
When a friend asked how he was faring, Art replied: “Considering they cut me open took out a chunk of colon, stuck a bunch of tubes into me and did not feed me for nearly a week, I am doing alright.”
Upon being told that his liquid diet would change from clear to solid fluids, he joked: “Does that mean I’ll be served dark rum instead of light rum?”
As convalescence continued, Art remained in constant touch with all who mattered — and everybody mattered — by phone and through e-mail dispatches. “If any of you have an unfortunate event in your life to find yourself in similar circumstances, I strongly recommend the following,” he advised. “Have wonderful family, friends and colleagues. Pre-book an all-inclusive vacation to Cuba. Savor good food and wine. Throw a rum party. Move to Dartmouth.”
Art’s zest for living and giving brought folks together in all kinds of weather. From the end-of-summer Wallace Weekend music festival at the point of his family homestead overlooking picturesque Wallace Bay on the north shore of mainland Nova Scotia, to the October Oyster Cloister and the Uncle Ron’s Night of rum tasting in the springtime at his home in Dartmouth, the events were organized especially so friends and members of his extended family could enjoy life to the fullest.
Always the life of the party, the late Art Drysdale (far left) enjoys the company of international friends attending the Chilean Seafood reception held at Maison Grand Place in Brussels during the European Seafood Exposition in May.
Perhaps the annual Wallace Weekend was Art’s creative piece de resistance, as it attracted several generations of musicians, chefs and revelers from throughout the Maritimes and far beyond. The last bash, held in late August, featured three days of music, camping, barbecuing, gourmet Cajun and Spanish food, swimming to and from a beer boat in the bay, and lots of other fun in the sun. This year’s main event was the appearance of the critically acclaimed Barra MacNeils of Cape Breton Island. Many other stars shined during the nighttime sing-alongs by the campfire, under the always capable direction of Super-Nova Scotian Drysdale.
Art’s passion burned just as brightly professionally, as detailed by Scott Hosking, director of international business development at the ERDT.
“His ability to establish partnerships within Nova Scotia, on an Atlantic Canada basis and federally have greatly assisted Nova Scotia in leveraging resources to better address international opportunities,” said Hosking.
Previous to becoming a senior trade officer, Art worked in the Departments of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Department of Agriculture for seven years, where he also led international business development activities in the seafood and agriculture sectors. He spent several years previous to that as the manager of aquaculture development, successfully delivering development initiatives globally in China, Europe (Belgium and Spain) and the USA.
“Impacts of his efforts went far beyond these geographic boarders, as a result of his tremendous ability to establish strong relationships with those he met on the international scene,” said Hosking. “Domestically, Art laid the groundwork for many successful events promoting Nova Scotia seafood, aquaculture, agriculture and beverage products,including the hugely successful Sip’N’Shuck. His strong relationships with many of the provinces’ leading chefs enhanced these promotional efforts.”
“Art’s deep passion for the industry and leadership in facilitating development has been recognized by industry , associations, provincial and federal partners,” continued Scott. “His impact has been significant, and his passing has left a void in the province’s international business development team for seafood and agriculture.”
Art Drysdale (center) had the passion and personality necessary to successfully promote Nova Scotia seafood and aquaculture products at trade shows around the world.Indeed, his departure has left voids in many places, among them his favorite watering hole, Stayer’s Wharf Pub & Grill in Halifax, where Art often performed on acoustic guitar and sang alongside Kevin Roach on fiddle and mandolin as the Artful Knaves.
“We have lost an incredible, genuine, giving man who brought so much love and laughter to those around him,” lamented Alexa Vodicka, a fellow Nova Scotia government officer who worked with Art for many years “So many people loved him, and we’re overwhelmed with the beautiful messages that have been pouring in, in honor of him. Each night various groups have gathered at Art’s favorite pub to do toasts, share good times, and enjoy his favorite drink – rum. Somehow, I think Art is looking upon each and everyone one us, saluting and toasting to the good times we’ve shared.”
Arthur Gordon Drysdale was born in Halifax on May 18, 1960, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1984 from Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada. He is survived by his father, Ira (who at age 75 still runs the family meat business in Wallace) and his wife Nancy; brother Paul and his wife Carol; brother and sister John and Christena Mattatallis; and close friend Wendy Desjardins.
A Remembrance of Art’s Life and Times is scheduled to take place on the day that would have been his 54th birthday, May 18, 2014, at St. Matthews Presbyterian Church in Wallace, Nova Scotia. Until then, many of his friends and musical colleagues are paying tribute to him in their own ways. Some, with a song in their heart, cope with the loss through the lyrics of Art’s favorite songs. “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” is among them, with emphasis on the chorus refrain: “Can the Circle be unbroken, by and by Lord, by and by. There’s a better home awaiting, in the sky, Lord, in the sky.”
Rest in Peace, Art. If there is a rock ‘n roll heaven, we all know that the band up there just got even better! — JMS
