Obituary of Mr. Wilfred Claude Avison
The Avison family, with deepest sadness, announces the passing of Wilfred Claude (Ted) Avison, of Agincourt Ontario on Friday, December 23rd, 2022, in his 91st year. His final weeks, days and hours were spent in the constant care and company of his loving children, and his passing was blessedly calm and peaceful.
Born October 11, 1932 in Strasbourg, Saskatchewan, Ted is survived by his 8 surviving children – Rod (Jovie) Avison, Carolyn (Hugh) Smith, Mark (Lindsay) Avison, Nancy (Gary) Avison, Luke (Janet) Avison, Kelly (Sherry) Avison, Audrey (Cliff) Avison and Noah (Kim) Avison, by his 17 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He is predeceased by Mary Avison (nee Moran), his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, by his eldest son Patrick Avison (Ruta), by his parents Wilfred and Ruth Avison (Barnes), and by his elder siblings Norma Lewis (Avison) and Gerald Avison.
Hailing from Eastend, Saskatchewan, a tiny hamlet located in the southwest corner of the province, Ted’s drive and ambition took him on a journey that would culminate in his founding of one of the most respected real estate companies in the world. He was a born salesman with a rare gift for planning and executing strategy, but his true superpower was his deep and genuine care and affection for the people around him. Anyone who met him was irresistibly pulled into his orbit by his charm, charisma, and undeniable personality.
Ted was an unfailing provider for his family for 70 years and was the very definition of hard work, reliability and perseverance. A lover of great food, big wines and good company, he drank deeply of life and was quick with a smile, a laugh, and a great story.
He had a lifelong love affair with the game of golf and spent many happy years playing out of his beloved Summit Golf & Country Club with his family and friends. Many a poor soul found themselves reaching for their wallets on the 18th green after watching Ted, cigar clenched between his teeth, pour in a clutch putt for all the marbles with his fearsome Wilson 8802.
In recent years, Dad was blessed to have Donzy Brinkert enter his life. We are forever grateful to Donzy for her loving companionship to Dad, which brought great comfort and happiness to him in his final years.
On Ted’s behalf, the family extends its sincere gratitude to the enormous number of caring and patient doctors that have helped him over the years, in particular Dr. Melissa Singer. We are also very appreciative of the caring and attentive medical team at Centenary Hospital who went to great lengths to ensure Dad’s final days were spent in comfort and dignity. Deep and heartfelt gratitude goes out to Aderemi Atoyebi and Joy Osaretin, who provided Dad with many weeks of gentle and tender care while in hospital. Finally, we are forever grateful to Dr. K.C. Moran, our guardian angel, and a tireless bastion of care and support to Dad for many years.
The family will receive friends at Ogden Funeral Home at 4164 Sheppard Avenue East in Toronto on Wednesday, January 4th, 2023 between 1:00 and 3:00 pm and between 6:00 and 8:00 pm.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, January 5th, 2023 at 10:00 AM at the Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church, located at 3526 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto.
Reception to follow from 12:00 PM until 3:00 PM at Scarboro Golf Club, located at 321 Scarborough Golf Club Road, Toronto.
In lieu of flowers, the Avison family asks that those who wish to express sympathies please consider making charitable donations to either the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation in support of the Patrick Avison Memorial Fund, or to ALS Action Canada.
