June 18, 2013

2011 - Gone but not forgotten

Last year, we lost some wonderful local residents whose contributions to T.O. are immeasurable

It’s never easy to say goodbye, but by starting the year off honouring those who accomplished so much in their lives, we hope to inspire others in 2012. Here is a short list of the influential Torontonians who passed away in 2011.

Roger Abbott had the good grace to dedicate his working life to the pursuit of laughter as one of the founding members of the Royal Canadian Air Farce, which included his memorable parodies of former prime minister Jean Chrétien.

Jack Layton was a career politician, but he came across as a guy you’d love to sit down and have a chat with over a pint. As was made obvious by the incredible outpouring of emotion following news of his untimely passing, he touched the lives of many Torontonians and lit a fire under many more. He will be well and truly missed.

Wade Belak was one of the most popular Toronto Maple Leafs during his years playing with the team. Then again, Leafs fans always loved the rough-and-tumble characters that could scrap with the best of them and come out of it with a big smile. That was Wade.

Ken Kostick was one of the first celebrity chefs: plying his trade on What’s for Dinner with Mary Jo Eustace and earning legions of fans along the way for his razor-sharp wit and passion for food.

Toronto real estate developer Paul Oberman’s legacy is all around us. He understood the value of the city’s built heritage, and went to great lengths to preserve what he could, including the old North Toronto train station — now the Summerhill liquor store.

Other prominent Torontonians who passed away in 2011 include local actress Cayle Chernin, best known as the star of Canadian road movie Goin’ Down the Road; Toronto Blue Jays standout and all-around good guy Mike Flanagan; McCain Foods and Maple Leaf Foods head honcho Wallace McCain, a member of the Canadian Business Hall of Fame; distinguished journalist James Travers and businessman John Tory Sr.

This article appears in the January 2012 issue of Post City Magazines