Our dear patriarch, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle —

An extraordinary human being

Ethem Yaman Üzümeri, BASc, MASc, P.Eng.

Passed away in Toronto on Saturday, May 10, 2025, after a brief illness, surrounded at all times by his entire family who never left his side.

Born in Niğde, Turkey on Dec 17, 1937, our beloved moved to Canada in 1956 as one of the first Turkish civil engineering students and began a professional life that spanned nearly half a century after his graduation from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Toronto in 1961. For many years, he played a key role in shaping the City of North York and then the amalgamated City of Toronto as Chief Building Official. In addition to his official duties, he received numerous awards from international organizations—including the World Bank—for his contributions to building codes, construction, fire safety, and earthquake preparedness.

Alongside his professional career, he led an active civic life, providing unwavering and valuable service to both Canadian and Turkish civil society organizations for over 50 years. As a pillar of the Turkish-Canadian community, he contributed tirelessly to the founding and work of the Turkish Culture and Folklore Society, the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations, the Turkish Islamic Society and Foundation of Canada, and the Ankara Library. He also served as Turkey’s first Honorary Consul in Toronto. He was deeply involved in the establishment of Toronto’s first Turkish Consulate and worked extensively to support the Turkish-Canadian community.

Our beloved’s funeral will take place on Sunday, May 11, 2025. Family and loved ones will be received for condolences starting at 9:00 AM at York Funeral Centre, followed by a commemorative ceremony at 10:00 AM, after which he will be laid to rest at York Cemetery.

Our condolences to all friends and the Turkish-Canadian community.

Family
Bezen Üzümeri
Aylin Üzümeri, Erol, Ayça, Alara & Derin Üzümeri
The late Prof. Mike & Jean Üzümeri, Vakur, Joanne Savard & David Üzümeri
Leyla, Reşit & Emre Serpkenci, Demet Çıtak

The family has prepared a livestream for the funeral service for those unable to attend the service. A link will appear on the top of this page on Sunday, May 11th, 2025 at 9:45 am to view the stream. The stream will also be available for download and viewing after the service. It can be found in the "Media" tab above.

In lieu of flowers, the family is directing donations to Ankara Library of Toronto, a community organization he helped found, and where he was active in his later years. To donate to the Ankara Library of Toronto, 1608 O'Connor Drive, Toronto, Ontario M4B 3P4 you can contact them directly at ankarakitaplik@gmail.com, or

transfer funds via Interac e-transfer to ankarakitaplik@gmail.com, or

by bank transfer/wire to
Ankara Library of Toronto Inc, TD Bank, 800 York Mills Rd, Toronto, ON, Institution No:004, Transit 19882, Acct 5259259, SWIFT Code: TDOMCATTTOR

Charitable registration #85776 8402 RR0001