Wally Posner – In Memoriam

It was sad news to hear that Wally Posner had died November 18, 2022. Wally is perhaps best remembered by the Academy as the facilitator of the Jazz Appreciation workshop. As his health declined, he handed the reins over to Frank Richmond, but his continued presence as “facilitator emeritus” was felt and the title well deserved.

Rhona Wolpert remembers Wally as a wonderful participant and a lovely man: “I knew him from the Jazz workshop and Art, particularly South African art,“ she said. “He was a docent at the AGO and I loved being welcomed by him on visits there.“

Jeff Bitteen says that he knew Wally from many years’ participation in the Jazz Appreciation workshop at the Academy. In Wally’s last few years Jeff worked closely with him on his presentations and they shared drinks and lunches together. “Wally was a real mensch, a gentleman and a gentle man” says Jeff.

He will be missed by all of us at the Academy.

by Linda Tu