SAMUEL, Elton Samuel - 26-Nov-1942 - 9-Sep-2024

It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Elton, a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. Elton "Mervin" Samuel died on September 9, 2024 following a decline related to a prolonged illness and complications related to Advanced Alzheimer's disease. Born November 26, 1942 to parents Christina and Vivian in San Juan, Trinidad.

He grew up a shy and quiet boy and had a passion for swimming and boxing. He made a career for himself with boxing in Trinidad under management of his brother Orlando. He loved birds and enjoyed keeping them as pets earning one of his nicknames "Birdie". He had a love for music and dancing and would spend hours compiling playlists and listening to soca, calypso, and gospel. He enjoyed his connections and was always delighted to spend time and chat with family and friends.

Elton migrated to Canada in the 1970's and was introduced to his future wife Jennifer through a mutual friend. They married in 1976 and resided within the Toronto/Scarborough area until 1990 before moving to the Durham Region.

He was a dedicated and hard working employee at WYANT & Wood for over 30 years. After the company closure, he enjoyed maintaining his house and yard and took pride in his gardens and landscaping. He was often seen gardening and weeding the lawn with the company of the family's pet bird on his shoulder.

Elton was a joyful man with a kind heart and infectious laugh. His ability to offer a helping hand or just be there when someone needed him most touched so many of us. His sense of humor and positivity brought joy to even the darkest moments.

He will be lovingly missed by his wife and best friend Jennifer, loving father to Shawn and Samantha(Ronnie). Cherished grandfather to Taylor, Ronan, and Sierra. Honourable brother to Janet, and his late siblings Edris, Carlton 'Orlando', Ethel, Lenox 'Joe', Lloyd, Vernon and many beloved nieces and nephews.

STUART, Robin James Stuart - September 11, 2024

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Robin Stuart into God's care at Oak Ridges Hospice in Port Perry at the age of 78 on September 11. He has lost his battle with heart disease.

Rob is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 45+ wonderful years, JoAnn, son Kennedy Stuart and stepson Brian Simmons, grandchildren, Zak and Paige; Gregory and Phillip. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by niece Angela and nephew Jeb, niece Melissa and nephew Jeff.

Rob is predeceased by his parents Donald and Evelyn and sister Ellen.

We are saying good-bye and rest in peace to a wonderful man who loved his life and all the people in it. His genuine affection for people has touched many lives and has created very special friendships.

Rob was a proud 21 year member of Hampton New Life and cherished the friendship of many. Dear to him were his winters in Florida and the company and camaraderie garnered there.

Rob graduated from George Brown College in the Tool & Die program and worked in the trade after graduation. He was a 30+years General Motors' employee. Rob had many hobbies including his Corvettes, working on cars, and snowmobiling. Rob spent many a week hunting, talking about hunting, and he thoroughly enjoyed breeding German Shorthaired Pointers, field trialing and was proud of his show and field champions. Rob had a great love of the outdoors. After dogs, he heartily launched into cats, rescuing many and enjoying their companionship. He lived a quiet life, always optimistic and looking ahead.

Rob was charismatic, engaging and always had a story to tell, entertaining friends and family. He was an active member of Columbus Community United Church.

Rob was a treasured, selfless, and loving husband and he will be forever loved and missed.

Special thanks to Drs. Andrew Steele and Ravi Tahiliani for their exceptional care throughout the last years.

In memory of Rob, donations may be made to Columbus Community United Church, Oak Ridges Hospice, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 21, at Columbus Community United Church, 3285 Simcoe St. N. Oshawa

Arrangements entrusted to McIntosh-Anderson-Kellam Funeral Home Ltd, 152 King St. E., Oshawa (905-433-5558).

Gloria Fildalia Lewis-Straker - March 24, 1933 – September 10, 2024

Gloria Lewis-Straker passed away peacefully on September 10 following a long illness.

Gloria was charitable, kind, independent and driven. Growing up with four brothers and living modestly, she aspired to carve her own bright future. She travelled to England as a young woman to study nursing, where she learned to become a midwife and cycled around the boroughs in a cape and cap, bringing babies into the world. Upon returning to Trinidad, her work took her around the island, visiting new mothers and offering advice and care. She then moved to Toronto to become a Registered Nurse where she had an exemplary 40-year career including long stretches in the ER and Trauma units, applying her skills as a Surgical Nurse, and ultimately taking on a management role.

She spent her well-earned retirement relaxing at her home in Pickering, touring Ontario and travelling overseas, including trips back to Trinidad and jaunts to Europe with her son. Family was always close to Gloria’s heart, including her much-adored mother, Madeline, with whom we hope she has reunited. She held deep love and pride for her son Stephen (Suzanne) and grandchildren Melaina (Jesse), Gabrielle, Isaac and Madeline. She also has three great-grandsons (Garrett, Emmett and Oliver) who carry her zest for life and learning.

In addition to her mother, Gloria was predeceased by her eldest brother (Julian) as a child, father (Elliot Essau) and then her remaining brothers later in life (Anthony, Fitzroy and Philbert). She was widowed in her 20’s (Alvin) and was also pre-deceased by Stephen’s father (Herman) with whom she had decades of love and friendship.

Thoughts to Gloria and the family are much appreciated at this time. In lieu of flowers, we would be grateful for donations to Ed’s House in Cobourg, Ontario. https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E362347QE&id=2

The hospice and its incredible staff and volunteers were an immense gift to Gloria and her family in recent weeks, and anything that can support their work would be an honour to her memory. Gloria was a charitable and giving woman to the end and would be pleased to know that remembrance of her could help others in need.

"You left us beautiful memories
Your love is still our guide
and though we cannot see you
You are always by our side."

STREZOS, Louis Strezos - July 5, 1946 - September 8, 2024 - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Louis Strezos, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He passed away surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his beloved and treasured wife, Magdalini, with whom he shared 53 years, his cherished children and precious grandchildren; daughter Rena and son-in-law John Trajkovski, and grandson, Jordan; his son, Steve, and grandsons, Matthew and Lucas.

He also leaves behind his dear brother and sister-in-law, John and Litsa, as well as many adored nephews and nieces. Louis is pre-deceased by his father Pavle, his mother Mara and his sister and brother-in-law Vangelia and Petre Vasilevski. May they all be reunited in heaven.

Louis will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His wife, children, and grandchildren were his life, his heart, and his joy. He took immense pleasure in spending time with loved ones, tending to his garden, and fixing things. His infectious smile and unwavering love touched everyone around him. Louis' spirit will remain with us always. May his memory be eternal. We love you to the moon and back.

KING, John Henry King - 21-Oct-1944 - 5-Sep-2024

It is with great sadness to share the passing of John King, who left our physical world last Thursday September 5th in Toronto Ontario.

John was born in Montreal in October 1944 to Harry and Mae King. He is the eldest of three and is survived by his brother Leonard (Maureen) and his sister Elizabeth (Bill). John was an incredible father to Angela (Michael) and Deborah, and a very dedicated Papa to Nihil, Summer and Madison. He was a devoted stepfather to Mark Romanelli (Devon) and their daughter Lilah Mae who lovingly called him Papa King. He had dedicated friends – Kyle Matthews, Shaun Rickard and Fred Koroll who always supported John with whatever he needed.

John was an incredible man to so many – from the friends in Bay Ridges Pickering where he lived for most of his life to the fishing community across Lake Ontario. He was nothing short of an icon in the North American construction equipment rental business. John started his own business – Total Equipment Sales - in the early 1990’s after a long career with Polyquip. He utilized his extensive network and built a very successful Manufacture Sales Agency that distributed products across the construction industry. John brought the family into the business later in life, and the family will continue to support John’s legacy going forward.

John will be known forever as a straight shooter and a man of his word. As much as he loved boating, fishing and his work, he loved helping people more than anything. If anyone needed a place to stay, or an odd job to earn extra cash, John was the man who stood up first to lend a hand – and it truly made him happy.
John was a warrior until the end – he had conquered illness so many times and kept getting up swinging. When he knew it was time, he was calm and happy and surrounded by love.

On Sunday September 15th, there will be a Celebration of Life held at The Lake House, 600 Liverpool Road in Pickering, from 1-4pm. In memory of John, please do something to help someone else or donate to a charity of your choice, John would have liked that.