ONLINE >>> www.zuza.com/toronto-whatson
ONLINE>>> www.zuza.com/toronto-community/pets
Guest List: A chat with the director of the Ashkenaz Festival, where Sharon and Bram will perform
24/7 Vets: If you want a friendly dog in the family, start with a well-socialized puppy
www.insidetoronto.com
TONIGHT’S JACKPOT
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012
NORTH EDITION
Grieving mother shares son’s story, urges organ donations
RIBBIT TRAVELLING CRITTERS: Market-goers stop to take a look at a 13-year-old pixie frog when The Travelling Critters visited Stonegate Farmers' Market. Each Tuesday during the summer, vendors sell local food and produce in the Valumart parking lot, off Berry Road, from 4 to 7 p.m. See more photos from the show on page 7.
LISA QUEEN lqueen@insidetoronto.com Former Etobicoke resident Rob Marks, the kind of guy who could light up a room, got five extra years of life before his untimely death last fall thanks to the generosity of a double lung donor, his grieving mom says. The eldest of four children, Marks’ battles in life started the day he was born with the discovery of a club foot, Colleen Donovan said. Despite many illnesses, he was misdiagnosed until he was a teenager. “Despite his ongoing illnesses, he loved and excelled at skateboarding, bike riding and competitive hockey,” Donovan said in an email to The Guardian. “At the age of 16, we were devastated to learn that he had cystic fibrosis. The damage to his lungs was already extensive.” Saying her son was blessed with charm, humour and an indomitable spirit, Donovan said he pursued activities he could enjoy without struggling to breathe – everything related to cars, music, poker and movies. On Feb. 25. 2005, Marks received a successful double lung transplant. “His recovery was remarkable and miraculous. He was elated to be able to breathe again and for five years, he lived life to the fullest and had fun making up for lost time,” >>>ONLY, page 5
Staff photo/MARY GAUDET
Legion still needs $10K to fix roof ‘Replacing the roof, renting the facilities is vital to our survival’: official TAMARA SHEPHARD tshephard@insidetoronto.com Royal Canadian Legion Branch 286 still needs a few good men and women — armed with $10,000 in donations — to urgently replace its badly damaged roof. Torrential downpours earlier this summer forced officials to cancel numerous events booked in its two halls, which combined, can accommodate 400 people. Cancelled events meant lost revenues, which are critical to the north Etobicoke legion’s financial
survival, said Brian Johnston, the legion’s public affairs officer. “We’re in desperate need of roof replacement,” Johnston said. “There’s no way in the world we would be able to operate unless we use the rental facilities. “Membership fees — we retain $18 of the $55 fee — don’t come close to covering the cost of running the building. “Replacing the roof and renting the facilities is vital to our survival.” Last month, legion officials launched a Replace Our Roof cam-
The Etobicoke Guardian - A Metroland Community Newspaper
paign to raise the $25,000 needed to replace the flat, leaking roof on the Irwin Road red brick building. A Replace Our Roof fundraiser held last weekend, combined with public donations to date, put a big dent in the fundraising campaign, but nearly $10,000 remains to be raised, Johnston reported. Etobicoke North Councillor Doug Ford recently made a private donation, and urged other residents to join in supporting veterans and their charitable community work. Both Councillor Ford and his
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brother, Mayor Rob Ford, are longtime members of Branch 286. “Legion Branch 286 is a longstanding community institution in Ward 2. Its members are well known for their community spirit, and their commitment to serving veterans, seniors, youth and those less fortunate in our community...” Councillor Doug Ford wrote in a letter of support. “Beyond its role as the meeting place for Legion members, this building serves as a vital hub where various local groups come together >>>VETERANS, page 23
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