Uldis Zommers

1934 - 2021

ULDIS ZOMMERS Always up to date on news, Uldis Zommers heard the newly released projections from the UN climate change report and decided it was time to depart. On Tuesday, August 10, 2021, he passed away peacefully at Thompson House in Don Mills, ending his struggles with Parkinson's Disease. Born on October 18, 1934, in Riga, Latvia, young Uldis and his family fled their homeland during World War II and spent five years in a one-room apartment in a refugee camp in Mannheim, Germany. There Uldis and his best friend started a monthly news magazine documenting Latvian history and literature. In the chaos of post-war Europe a family historian was born! Uldis nurtured his love for words and stories throughout his life. He bombarded his beloved St. Andrews Latvian Lutheran Church community with speeches and later, turned his skills to editing arguments and speeches for students in high school debating programmes at Branksome Hall and University of Toronto Schools. Raised in poverty and deeply aware of the vagaries of fate, Uldis was the antithesis to the decluttering movement, collecting thousands of books, old ski magazines, unlabeled photos, jars filled with coins! Uldis's pockets were always full of change, ready to be given to those in need on the street. Uldis was kind and generous to a fault. If blood donation was an Olympic sport, he would have won gold. He would not kill spiders and would rescue birds from cats - a testament to his passion for birdwatching. He once allowed a young skunk who entered the house through a dryer vent to live in his basement for several days. Uldis left his mark on his life's journey. A talented skier, he carved his way down ski hills.As a civil engineer at the Ontario Ministry of Transport, he helped design roads around Ontario - but always denied responsibility for creating gridlocked traffic jams. With his parents and two brothers, he planted apple and pine trees on the Zommers' family farm in Brighton, Ontario, their new home after 1953. That forest has now grown into an environmental protection zone. Uldis was predeceased by his youngest brother, Andris Zommers, by his mother, Vilma Zommers and by his father, Modrins Zommers. Uldis will be deeply missed by his daughter Zinta (Malte Kirchner) and his granddaughter Klara. Uldis took immense pleasure in his role as a father. He taught Zinta that the world can be made a better place. He had a strong belief in gender equity and encouraged her to pursue her dreams, happily driving her to skating and rowing practices. Uldis drew deep satisfaction from knowing that his efforts helped propel Zinta to a Rhodes Scholarship. The birth of his granddaughter in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 brought huge joy to Uldis. On his final day of life, he sat outside with her, fascinated by her new walking skills. Uldis's partner and soulmate of 48 years, Aija, is deeply grieved by his passing, as is his brother, Juris, and his children, Andra and Paulis, and members of the Tudor family in Ohio, U.S. (Anda and John Tudor, Mara Ward and family, Andrew Tudor and family). Uldis is also mourned by an extended Zommers family in Latvia. Uldis's family is thankful for the compassionate care he received during his time at Thompson House. They are especially grateful that he was kept safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. For those wishing to commemorate Uldis's life, please donate to Better Living at Thompson House (www.mybetterliving.ca) or to Parkinson Canada (www.parkinson.ca). A Celebration of Life will be held once Covid restrictions are lifted.