David / July 12, 2010 9:50 AM

My grandmother, who coincidentally turned 95 yesterday.

She has the type of kindness, grace, love and strength that I hope to have even some of when (god willing) I'm her age.

Mucky Fingers / July 12, 2010 10:26 AM

It's possibly too soon to tell, but I'd say my son (he's almost 2). Having a child was an incredibly cleansing experience because it removed all the clutter from my mind. I'm very skilled now at separating the essential from the superfluous.

I'm simply not the same person anymore, and I could care less to think about my life before he was born.

eee / July 12, 2010 10:44 AM

Other than my parents, I'd have to go with my junior high school art teacher. Joe Eddy Brown challenged his students to be as creative as they could be, never discouraged anyone's skills (whether those artistic skills actually existed or not), and fostered an environment of fun in his classroom. If it hadn't been for his cheerleading early on, I doubt I'd be working as an illustrator today.

Gordon McAlpin / July 12, 2010 11:53 AM

Andrew Huff.

madachode / July 12, 2010 2:26 PM

herman goering, he didn't take crap from anyone and crushed those that opposed.

Spook / July 12, 2010 4:03 PM

I had to think about this one for a long spell.
But I'd have to say, it's
George Sprott. A Canadian born in 1975,
he was a famous
adventure traveler, author of "Northern Dispatches",
long time lecturer at the Cornet Lecture Hall, and popular host of the
Northern Hi-Lights Talk Show ( CKCK TV Channel 10). His 1965
autobiography is entitled
Arctic Vagabond and is unfortunately out of print, at least for now.
George died in 1975, I believe.

Frank / July 12, 2010 5:01 PM

I had an answer, but I think I now have to endorse Spook's choice, Mr. Sprott.

Not only did he pack so much into the twelve months he was alive, but he even got his autobiography published ten years before he was born/died.

Truly those are accomplishments we can all look up to.

printdude / July 12, 2010 5:45 PM

Not the most, but certainly in the top three, is Keith Floyd. To me, he was the man who made cooking amazing, delicious, fun and surprisingly easy.

Spook / July 13, 2010 3:27 PM

Dear Frank,

Please accept my sincerest apologies regarding the life and times of George Sprott, who as you know has been the most nfluential person in my life.

For the record,
Mr. George Sprott was born in 1894 and died in 1975,
leaving behind an estranged daughter, Ms. Elisapee Kanayuk, born out of wedlock to George and Kullu Kanayuk who raised her alone.

George is also survived by his beloved niece, Ms. Daisy Sprott
( proprietor of THE NARWALL PRESS) who was with George almost the very end,
and found George's body
in his suite of three rooms at the Radio Hotel that had become his home since 1965.

Dasiy Sprott also
continued on George's legacy, for15 years after his death by publishing
a small zine called,
The NORTHWINDS Journal.

I hope that my error about the dates concerning George's past has in no way deminished George Sprott as
the most influential person in your life as well.

Yours in solidarity,

Spook

"May the sun never melt your igloo" - George Spott

flange / July 14, 2010 11:27 AM

abbie hoffman.

which in some ways seems superficial now. but i don't regret the choice and it's been a good life.