Obituary of Taber Family

<p>We are heartbroken to announce the sudden passing of the Taber family, Geoff, Jacquie, Scott and Andrew on Saturday, December 24, 2016.  They were a loving family who cared deeply for their friends, family, and community.  They lived in Toronto and spent many hours at nearby Withrow Park in Riverdale, walking their dogs, playing ball hockey in the spring, and skating in the winter.  Scott and Andrew played many sports and evenings and weekends were spent with their parents at hockey arenas and soccer fields across the city.  Their favourite place to spend time together was at their family cottage on Stoney Lake.</p> <p><strong> <img src="TABER, Geoff" alt="" /></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>GEOFFREY KENNETH TABER, 1960 – 2016</strong></p> <p>Geoff was born and raised in New York City and graduated from Princeton University in 1982.  He moved to Toronto to go to law school, fell in love with the city and stayed here for the rest of his life.  After graduating from law school at University of Toronto, he articled at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, LLP, where he practised law for the rest of his career.  It was there that he met the love of his life, his beautiful wife Jacquie whom he married in 2000.  His many interests included cycling (his lifelong passion came from time spent cycling in Central Park with his father), sailing, reading, ultimate frisbee, spending time with friends, and most of all his family.  In spite of the demands of his career, he spent as much time as he could with his wife and his two sons, whom he adored.  He had a wide circle of close friends.  His days often started with an early morning bike ride and ended late at night, after Jacquie and the boys were asleep, meeting with friends somewhere along the Danforth.  He was a force of nature.  He will be remembered for his sense of humour, his ability to tell long and complicated jokes and his passion for all aspects of life.  His competitive nature was tempered by a tremendous generosity of spirit.  He will be greatly missed.  Geoff was predeceased by his parents, Joan and Gerry Taber. </p> <p><strong> <img src="TABER, Jacquie" alt="" /></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>JACQUIE LORRAINE GARDNER, 1969 – 2016</strong></p> <p>Jacquie was born in Montreal and spent most of her childhood in Ottawa.  She attended the University of Ottawa, first studying economics and receiving her bachelor’s degree in 1992 followed by a law degree in 1995.  She moved to Toronto to article at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, LLP, where she met the love of her life, Geoff, and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1997.  Jacquie was an exceptionally talented corporate lawyer at Osler and later joined Altamira Investment Services where she served as General Counsel and Secretary.  After starting a family, she became a devoted and loving mother to her two precious sons, Scott and Andrew, whom she loved with all her heart and soul.  She also became very involved in the community, serving at Toronto East General Hospital, Frankland Community School, and Montcrest School.  Her interests included cooking, entertaining friends, reading, puzzles, and creating family traditions.  She deeply cared for animals, supporting rescue centres and cherishing her pet dogs.  Jacquie had many friends and will be remembered for her sense of humour, kindness and generosity.  Jacquie was predeceased by her parents, Nancy Seidenspinner and Larry Gardner, and her younger brother Andrew.</p> <p><strong> <img src="TABER, Scott" alt="" /></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>SCOTT KENNETH TABER, 2001 – 2016</strong></p> <p>Scott attended Greenwood College School, and previously graduated from Frankland Community School and Montcrest School.  He had a great sense of fun, a quirky sense of humour, and an infectious laugh.  Scott was a dedicated fan of the Green Bay Packers and Tottenham Hotspur.  He held an encyclopedic knowledge of Premier League Football and attended a game in London with his Dad this past March.  He loved playing soccer, ice hockey, and ball hockey, and had many close friendships with teammates and schoolmates.  He also had great times water skiing and spending time with friends at his cottage.  His best friend was his younger brother Andrew.</p> <p> <img src="TABER, Andrew" alt="" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>ANDREW DOUGLAS TABER, 2003 – 2016</strong></p> <p>Andrew attended Montcrest School and previously Frankland Community School.  He was a funny, kind, gentle soul who became a tiger inside sports venues.  He had a great sense of humour, laughed easily, had a wide circle of friends, and several very close friends.  He loved to play ice hockey, ball hockey, basketball, and enjoyed time spent with all his teammates before and after every game and practice.  Andrew was also an avid water skier, which he enjoyed during his time at the cottage.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Jacquie, Geoff, Scott and Andrew are survived by Jacquie’s sister, Karen Wigglesworth (Craig), Geoff’s sister, Shelagh Taber Walsh (Peter Dollar), Jacquie’s stepfather, John Seidenspinner, and Jacquie’s stepsister, Laurie Kearney.  They are also survived by their nieces, nephews and cousins; Carley and Alison Wigglesworth, James, Stephen and Phoebe Walsh and Perry Dollar.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Visitation will take place at the Estates of Sunnybrook – Vaughan Estate (2075 Bayview Avenue) on Wednesday, January 4^th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.  A funeral service will take place in St. Paul’s Bloor Street Church (227 Bloor Street East) on Thursday, January 5^th at 2:00 p.m.  Geoff and Jacquie supported many charities that were near to their hearts.  If desired, donations may be made in memory of the Taber family to the United Way Toronto or your favourite animal shelter or pet rescue centre.</p>