Patti Gardi
Issue # 99 - March 29, 2023
This edition of Sky Studio is dedicated to Patti Gardi
who joined former colleagues in Sky Studio March 29, 2023
Patti Gardi joined Sky Studio in her 83rd year on March 29, 2023
A contributor to the community in so many ways, she was honoured by the City with its Medal of Merit. Two media stories – links below – outline Patti’s community involvement leading to that recognition while here we focus on her contributions to broadcasting, especially through the Bon Soo Pageant, a major community event and spectacular television at the time. Without her guiding hand there would have been no pageant to televise.
The televised production was extensive at the time – the technical and creative skills needed to broadcast such a massive, live production from Sault College were expertly provided by those whose names you’ll recall, many now part of Sky Studio. Patti’s husband Frank was the executive producer and without him, there would have been no tv production of the pageant. Patti and Frank were quite a team, just the combined force needed to make such huge productions happen and get them televised.
There’s been no similar televised event since the last pageant in 1993 and there never will be again. Patti created a series of these pageant events that in turn became television milestones and now treasured memories of a broadcast era gone by.
Patti’s guidance over the years in pulling together hundreds of contestants, volunteers and others involved in the pageant is best described by former Bon Soo Queen, Sault writer and world traveller, Marianne Perry who tells us, “I met Patti Gardi as a young woman when I was a contestant in the Miss Bon Soo Pageant. She was our “go to lady.” Regardless of the question or concern, she responded with patience, grace and kindness. After I won the title, Patti (and her husband, Frank) continued their support and guidance. Patti’s organizational skills are legendary as was her compassion and sense of humour. For a decade plus, I was involved in many of the later Miss Bon Soo Pageant shows in a volunteer capacity working alongside Patti. An absolute professional, her care for the production and all of those involved was steadfast and true. Patti Gardi was an exceptional lady. I gained so much respect for her over the years and, like many, tremendous affection. She made our city and the world a better place. May you rest in peace. You will be missed and remembered. Thank you for your kindness, Patti.”
While the pageant was a grand event that made great television, it was also the core of the entire Bon Soo Carnival, as former Bon Soo General Manager Donna Gregg Shier reminds us. “I personally loved the Bon Soo Pageant. It was a wonderful “kick off” to the carnival. In early January, media became involved with the contestants and talk about what was “new for Bon Soo” began! The lead up to the Pageant got the community excited, due to the fact that January is a snow-bound, cold month…so Bon Soo was a welcomed distraction!
“Having the Pageant televised and hosted by media celebrities from MCTV put the carnival and Sault Ste Marie on the map!
“Patti Gardi was instrumental in making sure that the many components of organizing a Pageant were accomplished. Her husband Frank was the TV/ media person, but Patti was his partner in this extravaganza. She chaired the Interview committee, scheduling media interviews for the contestants, photo shoots, fashion, hair etc. She was an expert at the small details to help the contestants in any way she could…basically a “mother hen”!
“Patti was kind, fun and dedicated to these young women and became the chaperone for the Bon Soo Queen on her winning trip.
“She loved everything about Bon Soo…not just the pageant. She collected every button and dressed the part with her Bon Soo sweatshirt and scarf. Patti was a true blue Bon Soo fan and it was my pleasure to work with her over the years.
“The last Pageant was in 1993 as we celebrated Bon Soo’s 30th Anniversary. Pageants overall became unpopular. It was sad to see it go.”
Patti’s involvement with and contributions to the Sault Symphony demonstrated the same dedication she had to Bon Soo. And again, Frank was at her side presenting the Symphony to city through broadcasting, increasing its support and citizen involvement.
Dr. Bruce Anderson, player and board member of the Sault Symphony Orchestra describes Patti’s involvement this way:
"Patti was a driving force in the symphony for many, many years and her husband Frank, a noted broadcaster in the area, teamed together to provide excellent coverage for the Symphony. Her skills in all facets of management of the orchestra brought to the twin Saults a variety of musical events, from classical symphonies, to big Broadway shows like Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar, and singers such as John McDermott and even circus performers coordinating aerial stunts along with its music. The variety of the events would have flabbergasted many, but Patti relied on her years of managing people and detail work to always produce a stellar result.
“Patti's willingness to work above and beyond the norms always paid big dividends by coordinating special events like receptions after concerts and taking great care of visiting performers, like Howard Cable. Everyone enjoyed her hospitality and warmth. Her passing is a great loss to the community she loved."
Patti is with Frank again sharing another stage in Sky Studio with all the others who made magical, memorable, milestone moments happen in broadcasting.
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Special Announcements:
From SooToday:
From Sault Star:
https://www.saultstar.com/news/local-news/medal-of-merit-recipient-gardi-dies-at-83
Special Announcements:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/sault-ste-marie-on/patricia-gardi-11225003
https://www.sootoday.com/obituaries/gardi-patricia-jean-patti-6781982
Photos below from Wendy Hamilton, former broadcast colleague, past Bon Soo Pageant contestant and a Twirlette (in hula skirt) in the CJIC television studio with Patti being interviewed by Lionel McAuley.
From the Celebration of Life gathering, some of Patti's Twirlette memorabilia above and her various awards and Bon Soo items