Joseph Warman
Joseph Warman: Died peacefully on April 29, 2019, in his home with his daughters. Joe was a war child, student, poet, actor, philosopher, friend, son, brother, father and grandfather
Born in Zhytomyr, Ukraine (USSR), on November 3, 1940 he survived the war with a tenacious mother, Riva (aka: Rega) who fled to Ural, deep Russia. There a young Joseph was in and out of an orphanage so Riva could work. No one, including Joe, could get enough food, always being hungry resulted in stunted growth and a stunted childhood.
He spent his first five years of life in Ural before taking a long train ride bound for Israel which was stopped in Germany. Smugglers led him and his mother to safety in Belgium; where he was reunited with his father, David.
March 1951, the family immigrated to Canada taking the ship SS Washington from Belgium to Halifax and then on to Toronto. The immigrant family flourished, building a business, Warman Products, having a second child, sister Paula, and buying a home.
Joe, having to learn English, had a lot of catching-up to do but his passion for the arts and philosophy eventually sent him to the University of Toronto. Where he graduated in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in Arts (major in history)
Joseph had an adventure filled life, often as a vagabond exploring the world retracing his history while searching for connection. From sleeping on the beaches in Crete, to staying in rural Kubutz in Israel and the hot springs of California – Joe was a man of the world.
At a concert in California he found a connection with Lora and had two children, Margherita and Dena. Joe found purpose in being a father and settled down working for Canada Post as a letter carrier until his early retirement due to repeated hernias.
Joe spent most of his life in Toronto from a taxi driver to a letter carrier he could tell you how to get practically anywhere in the City and the best route. His last decade, living with his daughter, he became a staple in the Parkdale community where he could be found walking his granddaughter to school, visiting the community center or getting take-out.
Coming into the world during war had a lasting impression and his minimalist goal was to know “he did not do too much harm”.
Joe will be missed by his family and friends.
Joseph died peacefully in his home with his two daughters beside him, because in Canada we have the right to medical assistance in dying. This is a precious right. His passing was beautifully serene. The very end of life need not be painful, gasping or drawn out for hours, days, or weeks. Our father made a choice that was right for him and he controlled his own good death. Our father wanted to thank warriors like Sue Rodriguez and others who have championed the cause to make this choice possible. In lieu of flowers we request donations to Dying With Dignity (https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/) or any other right-to-die organization or a charity of your choice. Thank you.
Richard & Barbara Bodner
Dear Mar and Dena:
Richard and I met Joe in Grade 9 at Bloor Collegiate. We knew his story had been difficult but not the details. When you and our Jane became friends, it was a happy reunion to visit with him in Ancaster. We have always been touched by the love and care you showed your father. We are sure you made him feel safe and fulfilled by being the strong, intelligent and sensitive women you are. We were very touched that Joe was present at Jane and Ryan’s celebration.
We send you love and admire the courage you all had to ease his way.
With love, Richard and Barbara
Lorne Gould
As a close friend of Joe’s for over 50 years, I was saddened to hear of his passing today. But it sounds like he was able to experience a smooth and easy passage, for which I am grateful. In these last few years, since I moved into the Roncesvalles neighbourhood in 2014, we would occasionally see each other while wandering on Roncy, and would sit down and chat for a while. I enjoyed these moments of friendship, and will remember them fondly. In the words of Leonardo Da Vinci, “As a well spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings happy death.” Farewell, my friend. Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhiya Swaha: Gone, gone gone beyond, praise be to one who has thus gone!
Bill Wright
Hello Mar and Dina
I met you when you were very young at one of the first dwellings of your Aunt Paula and my brother Doug.
That was in Hamilton. I remember spending a day with Joe. He was a good man. It’s good to hear this description of his life.
I notice he shares the birthday of my spiritual master, Adi Da who was born one year earlier in 1939. Adi Da authored a book titled “Easy Death”. It should be easy. Thank you taking care of your dad like that.
Celia gould
Met Joe back in 1972. He and Laura made a strong couple and when Margharita was born Lorne and I saw them often. Joe’s life was an adventure. He adored his girls Margharita and Dina and they were very close. I will miss that charming man.
Tori Park
Dear Dena, my heart goes out to you and your family at this time. I did not know your father well but I know how very important he was to you and your family. Reading his life story was truly heartwarming. A clear indication of why you are the person you are. Take care dear friend.
Lynn Connolly
Dena
What an incredible story, your father sounded like an amazing person. My deepest sympathy to your family, and the community who will miss his presence.
Thinking of you
Lynn Connolly
Dena Warman
If you visit this page and would like to see more photos of our father please visit: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10161784033945094&id=830425093
Thank you for all your condolences, it means a lot to know our Dad had an impression on people’s lives. He is being missed.
Dena Warman
We wanted to keep our Dad’s obituary about his life, but I also wanted to mention his illness. At the end of March, he went to the hospital with a distended stomach; he thought he was severely constipated. It turned out he had a cancer mass blocking his colon which had ruptured. Emergency surgery removed 75% of his colon. After his surgery he declined; he could not swallow to eat and a TPN was inserted to provide the minimum of nutrition. Eventually a feeding tube was also inserted, but it was a challenge to insert and uncomfortable to have in place for our Dad. When the pathology finally came back it showed the cancer in the colon was removed but it had moved to the lymph nodes. He was too weak for treatment and wanted to die peacefully; that is when Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) was introduced.
I had never seen a dying person before and I am so thankful that MAID is available. We could honour our Dad’s wishes and he did not suffer for those last few hours or more. If you ever have questions about MAID I am here to talk with you; please reach out.
Also, please keep yourself healthy and follow your Doctor’s advice about diagnostics such as colonoscopies!
Take Care
Susan Ioannou
I am sorry to learn that Joe is gone, but glad his end was peaceful and free of any additional suffering. I knew Joe for a time at U of T in the 1960s. We called him our philospher and enjoyed his learned discourse on history, politics, and life, and his subtle wit. It is good to know of his happiness with his wife and two daughters. My sincere sympathy to all his family and friends.
Harold Chaim Kornberg
Tonight (Aug. 22, 2019), I thought of Joe. I knew Joe since the ’50’s. My mother and Joe’s mother, Rega, were best friends, and Joe was a presence in my life even though he was 10 years older than I am. He lived with us for a short time in the late ’50’s on Howland Avenue in Toronto. I haven’t seen him since the mid 80’s, though I fantasized about visiting him in Hamilton sometime. As a matter of fact, the word “fantasized” that I used comes from Joe. He helped me buy my first pair of glasses in 1960. At the U. of T. he was a knowledgeable and eloquent personality and I was happy and proud to know him. I’ve been living in Israel now for 40 years, and tonight I thought of Joe and decided to check out the internet. I was saddened to hear of his passing. He was always very kind to me and was eager to see me “make it” in this world. He and I are and were native Yiddish speakers–Zol zayn neshomo hob’n an aliyah, and may his many good qualities become our good qualities.
Dena Warman
Dear Harold,
It is so nice to hear about your memories of my Dad. He was a kind sole. Thank you for sharing, Dena