Bedrock of Baltimore/Washington DC Estonian community killed by COVID-19

Jyri Erik Kork – Eulogy

August 6, 1961–October 7, 2020

On October 8, tearful phone calls and heartbreaking messages conveyed unimaginable news – Jyri Erik Kork was dead from coronavirus at only age 59. For more than four decades, Jyri Erik was such an essential part of the Estonian cultural groups in Baltimore and Washington that we cannot imagine our community without him. His wit, dedication, and kindness left a lasting mark on all who interacted with him, as did his abiding love for and deep knowledge of Estonian history and culture.

His obituary reads rather simply.

Jyri Erik Kork was born on August 9, 1961, to Jyri Kork and Mai Kaja Kork. He worked for years in public service in the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and lived in Greenbelt, Maryland. He graduated from the Baltimore Eesti Kool. He was dedicated to participating in Estonian cultural events in the Baltimore and Washington DC area, including decades as a member of both choir and folk-dancing groups. He passed away on October 7, 2020. He is survived by siblings Maret, Siret, and Mauno, nephew Robert, and nieces Hannah and Annika. The family intends to invite friends and family to a memorial event in summer 2021 for what would be his 60th birthday.

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