DR. CARL THEOHAR
DR. CARL THEOHAR
1937-2018
Carl was the son of Kaliopi and the late Norman Theohar, brother of Ruth Playfair and Boris Theohar (Jacquie Gillies), uncle to Joseph Playfair and Emma Playfair, and grand uncle to Will, Palmer, and Jack Schnarr. He was a kind, giving, intelligent and self-sacrificing presence in all our lives, always our backup. A wonderful gardener too.
He ended his practice of Psychiatry in January 2018, and died on June 28, 2018, of pancreatic cancer. Carl cared for his family, his friends and his patients with humanity and wisdom.
Thank you to the Oncology/Palliative Care teams at Princess Margaret and at Sunnybrook. Carl was respected and cared for with compassion by all of you .
Cremation has taken place. We will honour Carl privately, as he wished.
Donations
Donations may be made to Palliative Care at Sunnybrook or Princess Margaret Hospitals, or to the Wallace McCain Pancreatic Centre at PMH, if desired.
Seymour and Rosalee Berlin
Our deepest condolences to all the Theohar family on the loss of your beloved son, brother, and uncle. I have special memories of our years together in medical school with our other colleagues, John Greisman and George Boujoff. May you all be comforted by your cherished memories.
With deepest sympathy,
Seymour and Rosalee (nee Green) Berlin
Ruth Playfair
Thank you, Seymour and Rosalee. I , too, have fond memories of those days in the early sixties when you guys would gather for a lot of fun. It was always a happy time when Carl would bring around one of his buddies or let me drive to U of T in his Sunbeam Alpine.
You and Rosalee brought us comfort when you attended my Dad’s funeral in 1973, and Boris and I thank you for your support 45 years later. Ruth
Stephanie Tasich
Oh my such sadness we feel for you all at this time. Carl was a very special man of many talents. May he rest in peace. Dan and Stephanie Tasich (nee Vasileff) and Helen Vasileff. Love to you all.
Ruth Playfair
Stephanie, so good to hear from you, and to receive loving sympathies from you and Helen and Dan. We have lost touch, so I googled your name, and to my shock and sorrow, I saw that Dianne had died a few years ago. Boris and I are so sad and sorrowed by Dianne’s unexpected passing. It hit us hard. And Sophie and Michael have passed on too.
Our deep condolences to you and Helen, and to Dan too, for I saw he lost his mom as well. Sadness all round.
Thank you for reaching out.
Love to All of you,
Ruth
Ruth Zaryski Jackson
Our deepest condolences to all the family on your loss of dear Carl. He will be greatly missed. May your loving memories support you through your grief. With love from Ruth Zaryski Jackson, David Jackson, and all the Zaryski family.
Ruth Playfair
Ruth, you have been a lifelong friend, always there to help and support me along the route of life’s journey, wherever it took us. You knew Carl from earliest times when we all attended Downsview C.I. – he was President of the Student Council and a track star, and we were aspirational Grade niners. A lot of memories we share.
Thank you to you and David,
Love, Theo
Chris Metler
Carl was an enduring, longtime friend to my Mum (Jennifer Carter), Dad (Rick) and I. He will be missed greatly by us three, as well as at Hermès, where he was always a welcome and colourful presence. I will also be forever thankful for the period Carl treated me as a patient. Will miss our conversations and the clarity they brought. Just another reason he won’t soon be forgotten.
Ruth Playfair
Thank you to you, Chris, and to your family. I think it must be your Mum, Jennifer, who sent Carl an exquisite bouquet of white ranunculus flowers to him at Princess Margaret that he truly enjoyed.
Carl and I spent many hours in the lovely gardens at Sunnybrook identifying all sorts of flowers and trees in his final days. And we are uncovering a huge collection of those orange Hermes boxes and bags among all his belongings….!
Carole Ruest
Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with you at this time. Love to all of you.
Ruth Playfair
Chere Carole, how lovely to hear from you…it has been so long since our families connected. Thank you for your prayers and sympathies.
Sophie was a gem among people….Carl and I, as kids were always happy when our exciting cousins Sophie and Thelma came to visit, bringing us gifts and new experiences. Then she brought along that warm and loving Johnny, and after that came all the sweet children. I am sad that Sophie died recently, and also Michel (whom I only knew from long, long ago).
Boris and I send our love and sympathies to you and Linda and Christine and Jean.
Ruth
Jennifer Carter
My deepest condolences to Carls’ entire beloved family whom he cherished and valued above all else. Carl was a dear friend with immense generous qualities including integrity, strength of conviction and character, loyalty, intelligence and a wonderful sense of humour. Carl was a giant in his profession assisting, guiding , encouaging and believing in all those he treated. Carl listened and respected. I will forever be grateful to have called him friend .
We will also be acknowledging dear Carl through Hermes Canada where he remained one of our favourite and most loyal friends for well over 30 years bringing elegance and culture on his memorable visits. The Toronto store was another home for Carl and he encouraged and applauded us from day one to expand and believe in positive growth. Carl was a great and gentle man who was deeply appreciated and will be missed by all. Our thoughts are with you . As ever Jennifer
Ruth Playfair
Thank you for your kind words, Jennifer. My favorite image of Carl’s final weeks at Sunnybrook Veteran’s Wing (now also used for Palliative Care), was of him in his wheelchair, wearing a beret, sweater, scarf, shades and carrying his Hermes bag…he was by far the best-dressed guy in that wing…no hospital gowns for my brother. He signed hospital forms with his exquisite pens.
Carl appreciated quality in things, people, art and ideas. I, as his sister, teased him a lot, of course, for such extravagances. But he would always give generously of his things to his family, friends and patients. More importantly, he was a truth-teller and a clear and honest observer of life. He gave sage advice and medical insight to all of us.
Best to you and your family,
Ruth
Ruth
Lily Villa
Dr Carl did have impeccable style. We love his Hermes jacket with a leather lining.
He and I used to say hi to the gang at Hermes and Mont Blanc. Kimberly. Wakif. Wayne. Everyone. He was so humble. We had lovely life chats and laughs.
I miss our walks and Russian bar days.
He was an amazing man. One of my best and longest friends. Intelligent. Funny. Compassionate. And always there for you.
Panda, you made the world a better place and you made me a better person. I hope you’re up there in heaven happy and at peace. God bless. Until we meet again old pal.
Ruth Playfair
Thank you for your kind words and images of remembrance, Lily. Carl spoke of you at home when I would ask where mother’s new shawl or Christmas ornament, or other gift came from.
He always said they came from “my friend, Lily”.
Thank you for emailing me to check in on me, my mom, etc.
We are doing better now that a lot of the administrivia (like closing down Carl’s office) have largely been completed.
I feel it is only recently that there has been time to think of my brother, our last days together, and to begin to mourn our loss.
And it is a deep loss.
Best to you,
Ruth
Matthew
Hi
I had the pleasure of knowing Carl for over 20 years as an occasional patient. He entered my life at a critical time and his presence and gentle influence will be with me always. Is there a place I could consider donating and planting a tree in Carl’s memory? Please let me know, thank you.
Ruth Playfair
Thank you, Matthew, for letting us know how important Carl was to your life. Planting a tree is a wonderful idea.
I wonder if the U of T would permit you to do that on its land, perhaps near the Medical Sciences/Faculty of Medicine areas? Or even the main campus area. I know that would appeal to Carl, because he mentioned scattering his ashes at U of T as one possibility.
If this ever happens, please let me know at rplayfair@sympatico.ca
With thanks,
Ruth
Ruth
Ruth
Ruth Playfair
Thank you, Matthew, for letting us know how important Carl was to your life. Planting a tree is a wonderful idea.
I wonder if the U of T would permit you to do that on its land, perhaps near the Medical Sciences/Faculty of Medicine areas? Or even the main campus area. I know that would appeal to Carl, because he mentioned scattering his ashes at U of T as one possibility.
If this ever happens, please let me know at rplayfair@sympatico.ca
With thanks,
Ruth
Rodney Ellis
After a very long interval, I was reminded of my chats with Dr. Theohar and just today decided to call his answering service and set up an appointment. Looking for his number online I of course saw his notice. Although many years have passed since we last met, I am awfully saddened by this news and would like to extend my sincere condolences to his family. We first met back in the 90’s when he had an office in the Medical Arts building on St. George. He imparted his wisdom through plumes of cigarette smoke, often with his unique cackling laugh punctuating the points he was making. I loved that office. It became my port in a storm. Then the move to Bay St., and I followed. By 2005 I was ready to go it alone, but with the secure knowledge that Dr. Theohar was only a phone call away. Though nothing is forever, he helped me find my way in a forever sort of fashion. In truth, I wanted to just see him again for an amiable chat and a bit of a catch up. That’s how much he meant to me.
Ruth Playfair
Thank you, Rodney, for letting us know that Carl was a significant presence in your life.
He was our backstop too. I feel him smiling as I write this.
My best wishes to you on your life’s journey.
Ruth