Obituary of Ilmar Wark

WARK, Ilmar Age 85, of Scarborough passed away March 9, 2013 with family by his side. Born in Saare Township, Estonia, the son of Rein and Meeta Värk, he left his homeland during the war and immigrated first to the United Kingdom and then came to Canada in 1957. A wonderfully creative and talented man with tools and machinery, he became a tool and die maker at Aluminum Goods in Toronto and then with Ethyl Packaging where he spent 33 years in various roles including Maintenance Supervisor, Plant Production Supervisor and Plant Engineer, before retiring in 1992. His creativity and inventiveness also spread to his personal life, and he was always tinkering in his workshop on some new tool or time saving device and drawing up plans for his next home or cottage project. Ilmar especially loved his cottage on Baxter Lake in Georgian Bay Township, which he built with his own hands and help from his beloved wife, Helen. He spent many weekends and vacations there hosting friends and family, and in recent years, loved watching his grandchildren enjoy playing at the cottage and swimming in the lake. He was an active member of the Estonian-Canadian community in Toronto and enjoyed socializing with friends at the Estonian House. A kind, cheerful, and generous man, he was always available to lend a hand to help someone in need and well liked by everyone he met. Ilmar was very dedicated and proud of his immediate and extended family both in Canada and Estonia, and is survived by his devoted wife Helen, his daughter Viive (John), and two grandchildren of whom he especially loved and was proud: Owen and Olivia. He is predeceased by his brother, Karl. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the MURRAY E. NEWBIGGING FUNERAL HOME, 733 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Toronto. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, Mrach 14, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel, followed by a reception at the Estonian House. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.