"MIR" 2006 Obituary

MIRABELLI  MIRANDA  MIRANDER  MIRASTO  MIRASTY  MIRECKI  MIRESCO  MIRIAM  MIRON  MIRONUK  MIROWSKI  MIRRETT  MIRTL  MIRVICH  MIRVISH 

MIRABELLI o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2006-01-28 published
MARINI, Domenica
On Thursday, January 26, 2006, at the William Osler Health Centre - Etobicoke Site. She will be reunited with her loving husband Nazzareno (1980). Dear mother of Walter (Elisa), Adele (Carlo RUSO,) and Joe (Frances.) Proud grandmother of Joseph (Laura,) Jean-Paul "J.P." (Jessie,) Rosella (Maurizio MIRABELLI,) Silvia (Frank POLLINZI,) Daniela (fiancé Lucanor SILVA,) Mark (fiancée Andrea), Michael (Sharon), and Tanya (Roy MARRA), and great-grandmother of nine great-grandchildren. Domenica is survived by her loving brothers Saverio CAMMARERI, Pasquale CAMMARERI, Angelo CAMMARERI and sister Giuseppina DEGIGLIO (née CAMMARERI.) Friends will be received at the Fratelli Vescio Funeral Homes Ltd. (located at 8101 Weston Rd., Woodbridge, just south of Langstaff Rd., 905-850-3332) on Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10: 00 a.m., on Monday, January 30th, 2006, at St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church (located off Rutherford Rd., just west of Weston Rd.), followed by the entombment service in the Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery (located on Hwy. 27, just south of Hwy. 7). If so desired, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated by the Marini Family.

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MIRANDA o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2006-04-07 published
MacHADO, Maria Jesus (née AVILA) (March 20, 1920-April 6, 2006)
Of Whaley Drive, Mississauga. Visitation 1-3 and 6-9 p.m. today at the Ryan and Odette Funeral Home, 1498 Dundas St. W., at Dufferin, Toronto. Mass 9: 30 a.m. Saturday at St. Anthony's Church to Prospect Cemetery. Mrs. MacHADO, who died at Trillium Hospital, was predeceased by husband Nicolau, and is survived by: children Ladeslau, Iva MacHADO (Manuel MIRANDA,) Adelino (Lucia;) 5 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren. Parking is no problem - simply enter from Dufferin, just north of Dundas.

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MIRANDA o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2006-04-20 published
YOUNG, Shirley Theresa
Peacefully at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, in her 79th year. Beloved daughter of the late Howard YOUNG and Evelena ROBBINS. A brother and two sisters, in infancy, predeceased Shirley. Dear cousin of Condon ROBBINS, Amelia ROBBINS, Eugene BOWLES, Deanna SHANNON, Melville ROBBINS, Patricia CHILDS, Sheila SKWAROK, Barbara PAYNE, Marcia FRIMETH, Bernice BEATCH and Bernadine NASH. Predeceased by cousins: Catherine RYAN, Bernard BOWLES, John BOWLES, Frances, Christina and Raphael ROBBINS, and those of the Young family. Lovingly remembered by the many children of her cousins. Shirley will be missed by her numerous longtime Friends and associates especially Doctor John REICHERT. Shirley graduated from Saint Michael's Hospital School of Nursing in 1950. She then practised her profession for many, many years at Saint Michael's Hospital, Toronto. Gratitude is expressed to the staff, especially Sue of the Critical Care Unit of Sunnybrook Hospital and to Father Daryl MIRANDA for the kindness, care and concern given to Shirley. Shirley is resting at the Trull "North Toronto" Funeral Home and Cremation Centre (2704 Yonge Street, 5 blocks south of Lawrence), 416-488-1101. Visitation will be on Friday, April 21 2006, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Monica's Church (44 Broadway Ave., east of Yonge St.) on Saturday, April 22, 2006 at 11: 00 a.m. Interment following at Saint Michael's Cemetery, Orillia. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Michael's Hospital.

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MIRANDER o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-12-07 published
SUNDERLAND, Samuel Arthur
Born January 28, 1915 in Co. Wexford, Eire. Passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 91 years of age. Loving husband of 49 years to Hazel (née BELL) of Jamaica. Loving brother to May IRWIN (Northern Ireland), Etta LANDEN (Eire) and 7 late brothers and sisters (Tom, George, Willie, Berty, Cis, Chris and Archie.) Loving father to Margaret HERNANDEZ (George,) Joan CHINNERY (Stephen), Doctor Dorothy SUNDERLAND (Dr. Steve LANGFORD), and Alan SUNDERLAND (Jenice.) Beloved grandfather of Jennifer and Ryan HERNANDEZ, Susan, Karen, Adrian, Allison and Ian CHINNERY, and Kiri, Rianna, Jason and Trevor LANGFORD. Loving brother-in-law to Boysie and Nellie BELL, Rutty and Grace BELL, Louis BELL, Joyce MIRANDER (deceased,) Carmen BELL, Vincent and Hyacinth DACOSTA, Prof. George and Kathleen EATON, John BELL Jr. (deceased) and Jean JONES (deceased.) Beloved uncle and cousin to many in Canada, U.S.A., United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand. Retired from missionary work in the West Indies, 1936-1956 and then an electrical technician for Toronto Hydro, 1957-1980. The family will receive Friends at the Highland Funeral Home, 3280 Sheppard Ave. E. (just west of Warden Ave.) Scarborough, on Wednesday, December 6, 2006 from 2-4 p.m. and Thursday, December 7, 2006 from 5-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held in the Highland Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, December 8 at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow in the Arbor Lounge. Interment Highland Memory Gardens at approximately 2 p.m.

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MIRASTO o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-07-10 published
TUGWOOD, William " Bill▼" " Skip▼"
Peacefully at London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Hospital on Saturday, July 8, 2006, William (Bill) "Skip" TUGWOOD in his 75th year. Survived by his beloved wife and best friend Marg of 33 years. Beloved father of Eric (Karen), Earl (Marion) and Terry (Denise.) Loving▼ step-father of Bob (Cathy) HATCH and Brenda MIRASTO. Lovingly remembered by 19 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Survived by brothers Bob, Ron (Pat) and Raymond (Mary). Predeceased by Brothers Harry (Pauline) TUGWOOD and Gerry (Ila) TUGWOOD, Sister Margurite (Jack) MOON, Step-son Danny HATCH and Great-grand_son Noah TUGWOOD- CONTARDI. Bill▼ " Skip▼" was a decorated Korean Veteran and a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Victory Branch #317. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service to follow at a later date. Donations to Animal Alert would be appreciated by the family. (Evans Funeral Home) 519-451-9350, entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences can be expressed at www.evansfh.ca A tree will be planted as a living memorial to Bill "Skip" TUGWOOD.

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MIRASTY o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-07-15 published
TUGWOOD, Bill▲ " Skip▲"
Peacefully at L.H.S.C. Victoria Hospital on Saturday, July 8, 2006, Bill "Skip" TUGWOOD in his 75th year. Survived by his beloved wife and best friend Marg of 33 years. Beloved father of Eric (Karen), Earl (Marion) and Terry (Denise). Loving step-father of Bob (Cathy) HATCH and Brenda MIRASTY. Lovingly▲ remembered by 19 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Survived by brothers Bob, Ron (Pat) and Raymond (Mary). Predeceased by brothers Harry (Pauline) TUGWOOD and Gerry (Ila) TUGWOOD, sister Margurite (Jack) MOON, step-son Danny HATCH and great-grand_son Noah TUGWOOD- CONTARDI. Bill "Skip" was a decorated Korean Veteran and a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Victory Branch #317. A memorial service will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion, Victory Branch, 311 Oakland Ave., London, (upstairs south hall), on Thursday, July 20, 2006, at 2: 00 p.m. Cremation has taken place. Donations to Animalert would be appreciated by the family. (Evans Funeral Home, (519) 451-9350, entrusted with arrangements.) Online condolences can be expressed at www.evansfh.ca A tree will be planted as a living memorial to Mr. TUGWOOD.

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MIRECKI o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2006-01-18 published
HENDERSON, Cameron " Cam" Arthur
Peacefully on Monday, January 16, 2006 at the Toronto Western Hospital in his 92nd year. Cherished husband of Elfrida for almost 65 years. Loving father of Margaret, Ruth and Rick BROOKS, Bruce and Elizabeth HENDERSON, Nancy and Art MIRECKI and Barry and Jane-Anne HENDERSON. Grandpa will be remembered by his nineteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the Turner and Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. W., at Windermere, on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at Queensway Baptist Church, 950 Islington Ave., Toronto on Friday, January 20, 2006 at 11 a.m. Interment Prospect Cemetery. If desired, remembrances may be made to Queensway Baptist Church, 950 Islington Ave., Toronto, Ontario M8Z 4P6 or S.I.M. Canada, Pastor's Book Project, Zambia, ZA 94441, 10 Huntingdale Blvd., Scarborough, Ontario M1W 2S5. "Forever with the Lord"

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MIRESCO o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-04-18 published
MARCOVITZ, Jonas
Suddenly on Sunday, April 16, 2006 in Florida. Jonas MARCOVITZ, dear brother and brother-in-law of Chaim and Haya, Hella and Alex GRUIA and the late Froim, and the late Tina, and the late Max and Liza. Beloved Dod Yona - Uncle Oni of his nieces, Sara (Lawrence HART), Leora (Marshall MORRIS), Jasmine (Murray LEVINE), Jackie (Lorne GOLD,) Sorana (Tiberiu MIRESCO,) and Carina (Morris KATZ,) and great nieces, and great nephews. At Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel. 2401 Steeles Ave W. (3 lights west of Dufferin) for service on Tuesday, April 18th at 1: 30 p.m. Interment Beth Emeth Section of Pardes Shalom Cemetery. Shiva 9 Brockington Cres. from Thursday April 20th. If desired, donations may be made to The Jonas Marcovitz Memorial Fund c/o The Benjamin Foundation, 3429 Bathurst St. Toronto, Ontario M6A 2C3, 416-780-0324.

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MIRIAM o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-10-21 published
SALCMAN, Ann
Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on October 20, 2006. She was the devoted wife of the late Sam SALCMAN. Beloved mother of Bonnie and Ernie SINGER, Sheldon and Laurell SALCMAN, Susan and Abraham BORN and Freida and Les SHERMAN. Adored Bubby of Eli and Iris, Rachel and Arieh SINGER, Sorelle and Yankie SILVERSTONE, Hailey and Ariel REMER, Shira and Ezra SALCMAN, Dana, Karen and Jonathan BORN, Daniel, Stephen and Carolyn SHERMAN. Loving great-grandmother to Shoshana BELLA, Leila and Noa MIRIAM. Special thanks to Zina and Ann who attended Bubby with great kindness. Funeral service was held on Friday, October 20, 2006. Shiva to be observed at 509 Bedford Park Ave., Toronto. Memorial donations may be made to the Ann and Sam Salcman Scholarship Fund at Canadian Technion Society (416) 789-4545 or the Charity of your choice.

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MIRON o@ca.on.grey_county.owen_sound.the_sun_times 2006-03-14 published
PORTER, Alice Ruth (formerly CASWELL)
At Saint Mary's General Hospital, Kitchener, Sunday March 12th, 2006, Alice Ruth PORTER of Owen Sound in her 84th year. Beloved wife of Earl PORTER and the late William CASWELL. Loving mother of Glenn (Bev) CASWELL of Meaford, Norma KEYWAN of Zionsville, Indiana, and Joan (Allen) SMITH of Rocklyn. Stepmother of Dianne (Ron) MIRON of Owen Sound and Sharon (Ken) HENRY of Hastings and Donna (Rick) McCULLOCH of Chesley. Grandmother of Jason (Laura) CASWELL of Sault Ste. Marie, Jacquelyn SMITH of Indianapolis, Jamie (Grant) MURRAY of Meaford, Jay SMITH of Rocklyn and seven step-grandchildren. Great-grandmother of Ashley and David of Indianapolis and four step-great-grandchildren. Predeceased by parents Thomas and Martha FREEMAN, brothers Jack and Frank ANDISON and sister Evelyn THOMPSON/THOMSON/TOMPSON/TOMSON. The family will receive Friends at the May Funeral Home, Markdale Wednesday from 2: 00 to 4:00 and 7: 00 to 9:00 p.m. where a funeral service will be held Thursday March 16, 2006 at 11: 00 a.m. Interment in Markdale Cemetery. If desired, donations to Heart and Stroke Foundation or charity of choice would be appreciated.
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MIRON o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-04-10 published
ELLIS, Patrick Smith
At Victoria Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, on Saturday April 8, 2006. Patrick Smith ELLIS, of London in his 39th year. Beloved son of the late Elmer and Madeline ELLIS. Dear brother of Corinne MIRON, James ELLIS and Donna MORSE, all of Cobourg, Rosemary DAY, Audrey SCHARBACK, Ken ELLIS, Barbara SALO, all of London, Terry ELLIS of Toronto, Edward, David, Robert and Danny ELLIS, all of B.C.., and the late John ELLIS. Loved by many nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the Logan Funeral Home, 371 Dundas St. (between Waterloo and Colborne St.), on Wednesday April 12, 2006, from 1-2 p.m. Funeral service will follow in the Logan Chapel at 2: 00 p.m. Cremation to follow. Friends who wish may make memorial donations to Parkwood Hospital Foundation-Spinal Cord Research. Online condolences can be expressed at www.loganfh.ca A tree will be planted as a living memorial to Patrick ELLIS.

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MIRON o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-06-03 published
TASCONA, Antonio " Tony," C.M., R.C.A.
At Victoria General Hospital on Sunday, May 28, 2006 in his 80th year. Beloved life partner and best friend of Doreen MILLIN. Loving father of Cathie (Patrick PAYNE); Marty (Callie); Chris (Faye MIRON.) Proud grandfather of Dominic and Daniella; Hannah June, Antonio and Hayley May; Michael and Isabella. Caring and fun-to-be-with step dad to Sarah MILLIN and Deirdre MILLIN, (Jeff KATZ and daughter Naomi.) Predeceased by his beloved son Larry and eleven siblings including his sister Connie (Scaletta), and brothers Ross and Sam of Winnipeg. He is survived by brother Pepin (Edna) of Barrie, Ontario; his sister Irene (Boyle); numerous nieces and nephews and his first wife, May TASCONA. Tony has touched the lives of many people across Canada, not only with his art but with his generosity of spirit and his zest for life. These attributes and passion for nature were inherited from his Sicilian parents. Working in the aerospace industry early in his career fuelled his fascination with experimentation, materials and precision. He was one of the first artists in Canada to paint on aluminum, counterbalancing the smooth cool surface and his geometric imagery with a sophisticated pastel palette. He also painted on canvas, cast resin sculpture, produced silkscreen prints, and most recently, ink drawings. Other artists marvelled at his continuous range of productivity and his ability to make meaningful relationships with his clients. Only hospitalization prevented him from working. He received many public commissions including: the Centennial Concert Hall murals, the Millennium Library Reading Courtyard sculpture, stabiles in the lobbies of the Manitoba Law Courts, the St. Boniface Research Hospital and the Freshwater Institute. Few Canadian artists have been honoured by a permanent retrospective of their work such as his at the Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba. The Winnipeg Art Gallery mounted a retrospective of his 50 year oeuvre in 2001. He was the only Manitoban included in the 2005 National Gallery of Canada exhibition, "the 60's in Canada." and earlier this year the Franco Manitoba Cultural Centre hosted "Transformations" 32 recent drawings, as part of his 80th birthday celebration. The opening attracted devoted clients and colleagues from across Canada; the National Gallery's Director Pierre Theberge participated in the opening ceremonies. Tony was active in the development of the arts in Canada and he served on the boards of the Royal Canadian Academy, National Gallery of Canada, The Canadian Conference of the Arts, The Winnipeg Art Gallery and Carfac Canada. This contribution and his constant support of Manitoba charities, in concert with his artistic achievements, garnered him an honorary LL.D. from the University of Winnipeg in 1994 and the Order of Canada in 1996. His works can be found in permanent collections across Canada including the National Gallery of Canada, the Confederation Centre, the Canada Council Art Bank, The Art Gallery of Ontario, The Winnipeg Art Gallery, The Glenbow Museum, the Norman Mackenzie Gallery and the Greater Victoria Art Gallery as well as numerous corporate and private collections. His archives are held by the University of Regina and digital images are available at the Centre for Contemporary Canadian Art Website. A junior baseball and hockey player, he was inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002 and his 1948 Brandon Grays Baseball team is to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this weekend. Following cremation, a private extended-family memorial service has been held. Per Tony's request, a wake will be held at a later date. The public are invited to attend the Tony Tascona Memorial Exhibition at St. Boniface College in early September, 2006. Memorial donations may be made to the Tony Tascona Art History Bursary University of Winnipeg Foundation, University of Winnipeg, Wesley Hall, 515 Portage Ave., Winnipeg. Manitoba R3B 2E9 204-786-9995. The Desjardins Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements, 233-4949 or toll free 1-888-233-4949.

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MIRON o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2006-04-17 published
BENNETT, Diane (née MIRON)
Peacefully at home in Mississauga with her family on Good Friday, April 14, 2006. Born May 5, 1938, Diane was the beloved wife of Robert; dedicated mother of Michael and his wife Susan; sister of Susan and her husband Peter; aunt of many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by brother Paul and parents Jim and Evelyn. Will be sadly missed by family and Friends but remembered with a smile and gratitude for having had her be a part of our lives. Family and Friends will be received at Turner and Porter "Peel" Chapel, (2180 Hurontario Street, Mississauga, Ontario) on Wednesday, April 19 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and at Walas Funeral Home, (130 Main Street, Brighton, Ontario) on Thursday, April 20 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Funeral and interment will be at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church (98 County Road 5 - formerly Wooler Road, Wooler, Ontario - Exit 522 (County Road 40) North from Hwy. 401) on Friday, April 21 at 3 p.m., with reception to follow. Donations in Diane's memory to the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation's Gastrointestinal (pancreatic) Cancer Research Fund would be appreciated.

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MIRONUK o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-05-25 published
MURPHY, Brian Noel
At London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Hospital, on Monday, May 22nd, 2006, after a brief illness, Brian Noël MURPHY of London in his 69th year. Beloved husband of Denise (CHARLEBOIS) MURPHY. Dear father of Nicole MURPHY and her partner Jason ROOME of London, Patrick E. MURPHY of Toronto, Caroline MURPHY and her partner Vincent OORLYNCK and Stephanie MURPHY all of London. Dear brother of Michael MURPHY of Thorold, Robert MARTINO of Vancouver, E. Raymond MARTINO, Josephine GODDARD and her husband Jack of Kapuskasing, Sheila MIRONUK of Winnipeg, and Lorraine ARMSTRONG and her husband Bill of Brandon, Manitoba. Predeceased by his brother Donald J. MURPHY. Loved by his grand_son Darrius. Also survived by his mother-in-law Marie Rose CHARLEBOIS of Vanier, his sisters-in-law Irene ARSENEAULT of Welland and Anita LIPKE and her husband Ralph of Montreal, his brother-in-law Robert CHARLEBOIS and his wife Patricia of Belle River and many nieces and nephews. Friends will be received by the family from 7-9 p.m. Thursday and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Ste. Marguerite d'Youville Catholic Church, 920 Huron Street at Barker Street (in the Ecole Secondaire Monseigneur Bruyere), London on Saturday, May 27th at 11 a.m. with Reverend Murray WATSON officiating. Cremation to follow. Prayers will be said at the funeral home Friday evening at 7: 30. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations would be appreciated to the London Regional Cancer Program, 747 Baseline Road East, London N6C 2R6, or Ste. Marguerite d'Youville Catholic Church, 920 Huron Street, London N5Y 4K4. On line condolences accepted at www.amgeorgefh.on.ca

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MIROWSKI o@ca.on.grey_county.owen_sound.the_sun_times 2006-10-31 published
FEATHERSTONE, John Colin
With family by his side, at his home on Sunday, October 29th, 2006 in his 78th year; beloved husband of Patricia Joan; loved father of Anthony (Elfriede,) Anne MATTHEWS (Gary,) Janet PARFENIUK (Dave,) Ruth MIROWSKI (Adam;) loving grandfather of Daryl, Andrea, Derek, Graham, Philip, Marina, Holly, Matthew and Olivia and great-grandfather of Jayden; also sadly missed by his other family members and Friends here and in England. The family will receive Friends at the Dods and McNair Funeral Home and Chapel, 21 First Street, Orangeville (519-941-1392) on Wednesday, November 1st, 2006 from 7: 00-9:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held in the chapel on Thursday, November 2nd, 2006 at 11: 00 a.m. Interment to follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Orangeville. As expressions of sympathy donations to Princess Margaret Hospital, Greenpeace or the Charity of Choice would be appreciated by the family. A tree will be planted in memory of John in the Dods and McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. A dedication service will be held on Sunday, September 9th, 2007 at 2: 30 p.m. (Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com)

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MIRRETT o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2006-01-17 published
WEINSTEIN, Lillian
On Monday, January 16, 2006 at Toronto Western Hospital. Lillian WEINSTEIN, beloved wife of the late Louis WEINSTEIN. Loving mother and mother-in-law of Suzie and Steve PUSTIL, Shawnee and Hersh GLICKMAN, Michael WEINSTEIN and Tony BEITLER, Caron and Danny MIRRETT, and Fern PERRI. Dear sister-in-law of Harry WEINSTEIN. Devoted and loving Nana of RonniLyn and Rob, Danny and Jamie, Meghan and Dave, Jessy, Luke, Emily, Lewis, and Vito. BigNana of Ella "Bella". At Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel, 2401 Steeles Avenue W. (three lights west of Dufferin) for service on Tuesday, January 17th at 2: 30 p.m. Interment at Mt. Sinai Memorial Park, Beth Sholom Synagogue section. Shiva 7 Chadwick Avenue, beginning at 2: 00 p.m. daily. If desired, donations may be made to the Lillian Weinstein Memorial Fund, c/o The Benjamin Foundation, 3429 Bathurst Street, M6A 2C3, 416-780-0324.

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MIRTL o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2006-03-27 published
COUTTS, David
Peacefully with his sons at his side in Nipissing Manor Nursing Care Centre, Corbeil on Friday, March 24, 2006 in his 86th year. Dave COUTTS was predeceased by his wife Eileen Victoria (ALLINGHAM.) He was the beloved father of David COUTTS (Susan) and Ken COUTTS, all of Chisholm; grandfather of Rob COUTTS (Sharon) of Bowmanville, Heather MIRTL (Jason) of North Bay, Stephen COUTTS of Chisholm and Randy COUTTS of Orillia; great-grandfather of Matthew, Taylor, MacKenzie, Morgan, Courtney, Caitlin, Aaron and Analise. Dave is survived by sisters Janet AIRD (late Neil) of Uxbridge and Jean COUTTS of Toronto and brother Claude COUTTS of Seattle, Washington. He was predeceased by brothers John and Bill COUTTS and sister Isabel SCARFE (late Don.) Also survived by his sisters-in-law Edith COUTTS, Norma COUTTS and Madelaine McDONALD, and brothers-in-law Al NORRIS (late Glady) and Dick BAILEY (late Evelyn.) Many thanks to the staff at Nipissing Manor for the loving care they provided over the last two years. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2006 at 1: 00 p.m. in the Paul Funeral Home Chapel, Powassan. Memorial donations to the Charity or Evangelical Church of your choice would be greatly appreciated. For more information, please call the Paul Funeral Home, Powassan 705-724-2024.

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MIRVICH o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2006-03-23 published
KEMP, Timothy " Tim" Joseph
Suddenly on February 27, 2006, at Los Angeles, California, in his 38th year. Survived by his wife Shannon and two step-daughters, Allison and Kelly, all of Los Angeles. Beloved son of Ormond and Patricia KEMP of Peterborough, Ontario and sorely missed by his brother John and wife Teresa of Toronto and his brother Christopher and wife Alexis of Omemee, Ontario; his nephews Aaron, Peter, Maxwell, and Hunter also of Omemee; his uncles Dick CUMMINGS and wife Sue; Gerry CUMMINGS and wife Suzanne; and his aunt Donna GAYE and husband Douglas WALLER, all of Sarnia, Ontario. Also missed by cousins Scott WALLER, Shelley WALLER, Anne (Mrs. Scott BLUNT), Cindy (Mrs. Tom MIRVICH), Cheryl (Mrs. Paul KING), Gloria (Mrs. Ron SZABO), Kim CUMMINGS, David CUMMINGS, Jean-Paul CUMMINGS, Denise CUMMINGS, and Michelle CUMMINGS (Ms. Rob WILBY). A Mass of Remembrance will be celebrated at The Cathedral of St. Peter-In-Chains in Peterborough, Ontario at 11: 00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2006. For further details and directions email apkoak@sympatico.ca In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Tim's memory to The Centre For Addiction and Mental Health www.camh.net or The Hospital for Sick Children www.sickkidsfoundation.com

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MIRVISH o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-10-16 published
Impresario to the stars dies at 83
By Marina JIMÉNEZ, Page A13
Gino EMPRY, a legendary impresario whose status as the dean of Toronto talent agents sometimes rivalled the celebrity of his clients, has died at 83.
Mr. EMPRY, a fixture on the arts scene for five decades, called himself the "father of publicity." He befriended and managed Tony Bennett in the 1970s, and worked with more than 1,000 artists, including Cher, Jack Lemmon, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Hope and Roy Orbison.
The eldest of nine children, he grew up in Little Italy where his parents ran a grocery and butcher store. By the age of 14, Mr. EMPRY was starring in drama shows organized by the Catholic Youth Organization. After high school, he worked for a waterfront trucking company and moved to the Toronto islands.
In 1964, he launched his own agency, and was working in show business as a director, producer and promoter. That year, Ed MIRVISH hired him as press agent for the refurbished Royal Alexandra Theatre. In 1970, Toronto's Royal York Hotel hired him for the Imperial Room, then considered the best nightclub in the country.
The self-described "little guy with the big mouth" was a flamboyant character whose 2002 book I Belong to the Stars detailed his relationship with 22 of the entertainers he represented.
The ultimate promoter, he was always coy about his own age, and loved to tell and re-tell anecdotes about the stars he worked with, including Peter O'Toole, Laurence Olivier, Petula Clark, Hugh Hefner and Bill Cosby.

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MIRVISH o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-10-23 published
Gino EMPRY, Agent And Publicist (1925-2006)
Brassy Toronto impresario with a 1,000-name roster of show-biz clients was, deep down, a shy guy with a heart of gold, and a regular churchgoer
By Ron CSILLAG,
Special to The Globe and Mail; Globe and Mail archives, Page S8
Toronto -- He spent one night with Pearl Bailey while the singer talked about the sex life of a pomegranate until 3 a.m.
Marlene Dietrich gave him a wallet with blank cards inside after spying him fishing around in his pockets for something to scribble on. "You must always be chic," she cooed.
Tony Bennett once fixed him with a stare and asked menacingly, "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Are you making fun of me?"
Phyllis Diller once sent him $500 to help pay for a nose job. On the other hand, buxom Jane Russell took one look at that generous schnozz and pronounced it "big enough to fit my cleavage."
Welcome to Gino EMPRY's world.
Talent agent, impresario, boulevardier and flack-turned-friend to dozens -- no darling, make that hundreds -- of stars, Mr. EMPRY was a throwback to an era when Public Relations men such as Irving "Swifty" Lazar bent the ears of such make'em-or-break'em celebrity scribes as Walter Winchell and Hedda Hopper.
For over 40 years, Mr. EMPRY was a show-biz fixture in Toronto, booking the talent at the fabled Imperial Room in the Royal York Hotel, hyping his stable to pretty much anyone who listened, befriending cops, doormen, tough guys and starving artists. Dubbed the father of celebrity publicity in Canada, it's probably no exaggeration to say he rubbed shoulders with every famous name in, well, the Western Hemisphere.
His 1,000-name roster of clients included, at various times, Mr. Bennett, Peggy Lee, Deborah Kerr, Cher, Jack Lemmon, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Hope, Eartha Kitt, Peter O'Toole and, closer to home, Ronnie Hawkins, William Hutt, Karen Kain, Anne Murray and Roch Voisine. The only person he regretted not having worked with was Clark Gable. "But he's dead," Mr. EMPRY once observed. "Otherwise, I've met all the others."
His forte was the personal touch. "He and I hit it off quite well," recalled Ms. Murray. "He was always so flamboyant and we always had good laughs. He used to say to me, 'when are we gonna have dinner?' And, of course, we never had dinner. But every year he sent me a Christmas card -- every single year since 1971 -- and he handwrote on every one, 'when are we gonna have dinner?' "
It was a God-given gift, he told The Globe and Mail in a 1996 spread. "That's why stars trust me and why they have done things for me that they wouldn't do for other people."
Like the time he talked British singer Petula Clark into taking over a laryngitis-stricken Mr. Bennett's Toronto gig on one day's notice. Or when the Toronto police force "begged" Mr. EMPRY to get Hal Linden, then television's Captain Barney Miller, to appear at one of their bashes. "He said yes to me, and I guess that's partly why I have half the police force as my Friends," Mr. EMPRY recalled with satisfaction. "I just looove policemen."
And they loved him back. At his legendary parties, whether at the Royal York or at his knick-knack-filled, white-carpeted, shagadelic downtown pad, "half the Toronto police was there, and that's one reason he could park anywhere at any time, no questions asked," recalled Mary JOLLIFFE, who served as the Stratford Festival's first communications director. "He never paid a parking ticket -- ever," confirmed Helga STEPHENSON, a Toronto film promoter.
Mr. EMPRY was a character in a character's world. "People tell me, 'Gino, you don't walk into a room, you make an appearance.' " It was a trick he learned from Bernadette Peters. "She told me once, 'Gino, do you know how you get the best table in a restaurant? You walk to the front of the line and look imperious.' "
The look came naturally. The family name was EMPERATORE, from the Italian imperatore, meaning emperor or commander, or, to Mr. EMPRY, of the Caesars. "And my police Friends tell me I am like a Caesar, always ordering people around."
It was an unlikely trait for a pallid, elfin guy, barely 5 feet 6 inches (when not wearing his favourite two-inch heels), a Kim Jong-il-style bouffant 'do, silk ascot, and jewellery -- lots of it, as befitting someone with such distinguished roots. Around his neck was a multicoloured ammolite pendant -- a gift, he said, from Ella Fitzgerald. The heavy gold bracelet was from Tony Bennett, the Mickey Mouse watch from Kay Ballard, the diamond pinky ring from Glenda Jackson, and the goldfish charm from Lena Horne. A chunky signet ring flashed the family coat of arms: a star and a half-moon topped by a chivalric helmet, anchored by the banner, "Emperatore." This bit of heraldry also adorned Mr. EMPRY's gold-embossed business cards.
At his zenith, he managed Mr. Bennett worldwide for a dozen years, but not Robert Goulet, as has been reported. "Gino and I were Friends," said Mr. Goulet on the phone. "He did Public Relations for me in Canada. We loved him dearly." And then, he popped the most hotly debated question about Mr. EMPRY: " How old was he?" Told an estimate, Mr. Goulet seemed shocked. "Holy mackerel! He never looked it."
Like Jack Benny plus a decade, Mr. EMPRY was eternally 49. "I'm not vain," he insisted. "I just go to great lengths to look better than I am." He would say, with a straight face, that he was born in 1949, though biographical material says he graduated from the University of Toronto in 1961 at what would have been the precocious age of 12 (one unconvinced wag quipped that Mr. EMPRY "seems to have represented everyone from Sir Wilfrid Laurier to Ella Fitzgerald"). He was also coy about his credentials those close to him say he had been a bona fide chartered accountant.
One thing that might surprise people who couldn't see beyond the glitz -- Mr. EMPRY was, deep down, a shy guy with a heart of gold, and a regular churchgoer to boot.
"Everybody's talking about what a character he was and all the stars he dealt with, but nobody has said how helpful he was to a lot of unknowns... all the small companies starting out," said Sylvia SHAWN, who was Mr. EMPRY's partner for 20 years. "Whoever asked for help, got it."
And it was a long list: the Actors Fund of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, DareArts, Easter Seals, the Ontario Musical Arts Centre, juvenile diabetes, Israel Bonds and the Variety Club of Ontario, to name a few. In 1993, he received the city of Toronto's highest honour, the Award of Merit, and three years later, was guest of honour at a tribute from Famous People Players, the renowned black-light theatre company, one of his favourite causes.
Long-time Imperial Room maitre d' Louis JANNETTA, famous for refusing Bob Dylan entrance because the singer wasn't wearing a tie, recalled Mr. EMPRY's creation of "Gypsy nights" -- when the cover charge was dropped at the venue for young theatre unknowns.
"We allowed all the [local] theatres -- the Limelight, the Mousetrap, Second City -- to come for the late show on Thursdays of opening week without a cover charge." A lot of young artists came, John Candy among them, and to Mr. JANNETTA's consternation, their dress was not up to the room's formal standards. "I provided jackets for them," he noted. Mr. EMPRY "was a genius in his own right."
The eldest of nine children, Gino was the son of Arturo EMPERATORE, who came to Canada from a rural region outside Rome, and Lucy FLAMMINIO of Toronto, who was 15 when she gave birth to him. The couple ran a small grocery store and butcher shop, where the young Gino cut off the top of two of his fingers in a meat-slicing machine.
Mr. EMPRY remembered being "wretchedly poor. We had to count our pennies. In the Italian ghetto, there were gangsters and rough types. I used to get beat up because I liked school. I remember my mother telling me, 'There's more than one way to fight a battle. Use your tongue.' So I learned to use my mouth which is very useful in my business!"
He developed a love of the theatre while at Saint Mary of the Angels Separate School in Toronto. He acted with Catholic youth groups before joining an all-boys acting ensemble at Saint Michael's College. "I played Portia and Juliet because I was small."
He had an uneasy relationship with his parents and left home early. His father was distant at best. "My father was a wonderful man, but very shy, and never a father figure to me. So I kept looking for strong men to give me what I felt I needed -- authority. Being of Caesarean heritage… I'm both a gladiator and a slave. I'm a slave to my work and I'm a perfectionist. I insist on things being done right. There are no loose ends with me."
His first job was as a night auditor for a trucking company. Later, he worked as a systems analyst for a transportation firm, while appearing in some 50 amateur theatre productions, including what he'd refer to as his best performance -- in Teahouse of the August Moon. But he yearned for more, and plunked down $2,000 for a career consultant, who advised him to take two years to get a toehold in entertainment. Mr. EMPRY wrote hundreds of letters to radio producers, theatre owners -- anyone who might give him a break.
It happened in 1964, when the contacts he'd made at the Ontario Drama League led him to Ed MIRVISH of Honest Ed's discount store fame. Mr. MIRVISH needed a boost for his recently purchased Royal Alexander Theatre. To compete, it had to draw the big names away from the rival O'Keefe Centre, and Mr. EMPRY was hired. Emboldened, he formed his own booking and public-relations agency. "I started at the top," he said later. "You couldn't get any better than the Royal Alex at the time. I got $100 a week." Things only improved when the Irish Rovers signed him as their international publicist.
In 1970, he became entertainment director/Public Relations consultant for the 500-seat Imperial Room, then the country's top nightclub. In addition to A-list celebs, he booked female impersonators and Las-Vegas-style revues. Mr. Bennett, among the top acts, insisted on the same suite at the Royal York, one that faced east fronting the gilded Royal Bank Tower (the crooner's paintings adorned the walls of Mr. EMPRY's condo.) Count Basie was "the very essence of cool." Raquel Welch was "pretty, but not glamorous." Mr. EMPRY and dancer Cyd Charisse used "to sit for hours talking about everything under the sun… I never got tired of looking at those incredible legs."
The Imperial Room closed in 1989 and in 1991, Mr. EMPRY was abruptly dismissed from the MIRVISH account by Honest Ed's son, David.
He soldiered on with corporate shilling, including for Playboy magazine in Canada. Three years ago, he couldn't have bought juicier publicity than when he orchestrated a handshake and chit-chat between Aline Chrétien, prim wife of the then-prime-minister, and Tailor James, a well-endowed Toronto-born Playmate of the Month. Organizers of the charity event were miffed, but it got tongues wagging. The news media took note, but dismissed it as "a tempest in a D cup."
More recently, Mr. EMPRY farmed himself out, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, as "the Happiness Guru" ($100 for a one-hour session), inspired by sultry singer Peggy Lee, who referred to Mr. EMPRY in her autobiography by that 1960s tag. When he asked why, she replied: "Think about it, Gino. We are considered as stars in the entertainment industry but we are misused, abused, taken advantage of and left stranded in embarrassing situations that have nothing to do with what we really are all about.
"Along comes baby-faced Gino EMPRY, and he really cares. He understands our concerns, our worries and our needs. Even more important, he doesn't pander to the vanities we parade to our unsuspecting fans. He seems to know our weaknesses and treats them with love and respect. He really loves us!"
He really did. "He was very good to his clients, very loyal," Ms. JOLIFFE said. "He often worked around the clock for them."
Of course, there was his dark side. "To know Gino was, at one point, to have had a fight with him," said Ms. Stephenson. "He could be infuriating one moment and endearing the next."
A temper that fuelled more than a few thrown telephones got him into hot water in 1989 after an altercation with a woman in the lobby of the building that housed his million-dollar condo. The judge didn't buy his plea of self-defence, and he was fined $1,000. "I haven't used a lawyer since," he said, years later.
The appearance of Mr. EMPRY's memoirs was a foregone conclusion. He wanted to call them You Star, Me Gino, but the 2002 volume was titled I Belong to the Stars, a collection of piquant tales ranging from procuring hashish for Peter O'Toole, to getting Cher an Eaton's credit card, to fending off the advances of Xaviera (the Happy Hooker) Hollander.
Last year, he corralled support from musicians and performers in Toronto in an event to shine a light on increased gun violence in the city. This past summer, it was rumoured that he was working on a bash to celebrate the city's burgeoning Chinese population.
Mr. EMPRY never married, not even to his companion of 20 years, psychic Nikki PEZARO. He knew he occasionally rivalled the celebrity of some of his clients but "I'm a person in my own right, so why not?"
Gino EMPRY was born in Toronto on, it is believed, October 11, 1925, and died there on October 14, 2006, after suffering complications from a stroke that occurred in July. He was 81.

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