Lawrence Preston TOMKINS

LAWRENCE PRESTON TOMKINS RCNVR BScF 5T3 OLS 867
AUGUST 6, 1926- AUGUST 20, 2017

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear Laurie on August 20, 2017 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre after a brief illness. He was completely at peace and, in his own words, 'ready for heaven'. Devoted husband of Vera for almost 66 years, proud father of Lynn and her husband Dan Kmiecik, 'Uncle Laurie' to Carol, Mary, Susanne, Anthony and Christine and 'Grandpa' to Mindy, Kyle and Troy and their families. Known fondly by many as 'Mr. T'.

Laurie was born in Toronto and raised in the Beach area, attending Williamson Road Public School. Upon graduation from Malvern Collegiate at age 17 he enlisted in the RCNVR and saw active duty on corvettes out of Halifax and in the North Atlantic. Following the war he graduated top of his class from Forestry at the University of Toronto in 1953 and became an Ontario Land Surveyor. He practised land surveying for forty years, a profession he loved and at which he excelled.

Laurie always led an active life and loved to be outdoors; golfing, playing tennis, hiking and growing the best-maintained lawn in the neighbourhood. Laurie and Vera enjoyed square and round dancing and travelled extensively in North America, Great Britain, Europe and North Africa, often with friends and family. He was a volunteer with Tennis Canada for twenty years and supported many charities. Laurie was a kind and generous man with a creative mind and a penchant for crosswords, card games and conundrums. He loved woodworking and was the author of many original poems and cards for special occasions.

We are heartbroken to say goodbye to him and would like to thank all those who cared for him in his declining years, especially his caregiver Eleanor, and his primary nurses at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre, Stina, Mandy and Joe. We would also like to thank the many friends and family who have been a great support to Vera and Lynn and Dan in recent months as their dear Laurie faded away.

A private family service has been held and Laurie rests in the Veterans Section of the York Cemetery near an old oak tree. If desired, donations may be directed to the 'Tomkins Family Award in Dentistry' at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto. This endowment was founded by Laurie and Vera in honour of their daughter Lynn, and supports deserving dental students in financial need.

'Away, away'