In memory of
Howard Dennis Trotman
April 10, 1953 - February 26, 2024
Howard loved life and lived it fully. At the core of his being was a deep respect for all living things. In this life, he fully committed himself to offering service, support and mentoring to others. The fortunate recipients were family members, friends, neighbours, colleagues, clients, other cancer patients, and strangers. The outpouring of love and sorrow for Howard from friends and colleagues from around the world, is testimony to his positive and everlasting impact on those around him and his life on this planet.
He was fond of good coffee, action movies, tailored suits, old houses, and stimulating conversation. He was knowledgeable and smart and could talk to anybody on a far-reaching number of interesting topics. Music was balm for soothing Howard’s soul. He was well-informed about all kinds of music including blues, jazz, Motown and classical – and he enjoyed them all. One of his favourite bands was the Temptations. He was also a beautiful singer and played the piano. He used to joke that in high school he was a role model for being both in the choir and on the football team.
Born in Toronto and first generation Canadian, Howard grew up in a traditionally working class, Anglo-Saxon neighbourhood the east end of Toronto, in an area known today as Leslieville. His parents who came from Barbados (father) and Saint Kitts and Nevis (mother).
After he graduated from high school, Howard pursued a degree in geography and urban studies at York University, before receiving a research associateship (and free tuition) to undertake a Master’s degree in city and regional planning at The Ohio State University in the USA. Upon completion, he returned to Toronto, where he worked in the Planning Department at City Hall before moving to the private sector.
Work was a very important part of Howard’s life. He derived great joy and satisfaction from it. For the last twenty years or more, he worked in different iterations of the same company now known as NetReveal in the area of anti-fraud and money laundering. Through this work, he made friends and connections from all over the world. At the core of his work, was service to clients, dedication, passion and uplifting those around him. Colleagues will say he was an angel and clients called him “the godfather.” Howard’s family is so grateful for all the support from the leadership of NetReveal as well as his colleagues and friends.
His penchant for helping others and giving back, was exemplified, over the years, by service on the board of directors of various organizations including The Stop (formerly Stop 103, a food bank and food kitchen for expectant mothers, among others); Bridgepoint Active Healthcare (a complex care and rehabilitation hospital, now known as the Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, to which he offered the perspective of someone raised in the neighbourhood); and Skills for Change (a program dedicated to helping internationally trained professionals enter the Canadian workforce). Howard mentored many newcomers and Canadians in their careers and co-led the support group for the Toronto and area Canadian Neuroendocrine Tumour Society up to the time of his death.
Howard and his wife Sue enjoyed a loving and meaningful life together. They traveled to Nunavut, the Yukon, Italy, Spain, Ireland and many other destinations across Canada. When they weren’t picking olives in Italy, they were enjoying their cottage in Haliburton with friends, or time at home. They relished get togethers with their many friends.
When Howard got together with Sue, having had no previous children, he joyfully acquired a beautiful daughter, Tannis Waugh. He was fiercely proud of her and followed her career and travel adventures with great interest. In recent years, she took him to a Raptors game where they enjoyed front row seats. At that game, he was mistaken for the Reverend Al Sharpton by a fan who wanted a picture with him. This became a longstanding family joke.
Son of Kenneth Leon Trotman and Doris Matilda Solomon. Howard is survived by his wife Sue Folinsbee, daughter Tannis Waugh (Paul), brothers Ken Trotman (Pauline), and Blair Trotman (Wendy). He is survived by his brother-in-law, John Folinsbee (Susan) and his nephews James Folinsbee (Chantal), Bryant Trotman (Olivia) and Drew Trotman (Jamiera). Howard also leaves behind his four cats – his special cat Chevy, Little One, Cee Cee and Oreo.
Howard endured a long illness with dignity and equanimity. He used to joke that he had as many doctors as he had friends. A friend once told him “Live life as a well person” and that’s what he did. He was well loved by his doctors and nurses at Sunnybrook Hospital. At the time of his last hospital visit, his nurses confessed that they would ask to have him as a patient on their shift because he was so kind and respectful to them.
Sue and Tannis would like to thank the Neuroendocrine Cancer team at Sunnybrook for their care of Howard over the years: Dr. Calvin Law, Dr, Simron Singh, and Dr. Sten Myrehaug. Thanks also to Dr. Jordon Zeppieri on the medical oncology unit for his kindness and ability to explain all things medical. We thank Dr. John Cameron for his care and his warmth during daily visits. A special thanks to Blaire Jones, a dear family friend and social worker at Sunnybrook who helped us navigate the hospital system. Blaire also was a constant visitor at Howard’s bedside and brought joy to his last days.
We acknowledge the long service and care of his family doctor, Dr. Arlene McKnight who even made a house call in the early days of Howard’s illness in 2012. We are full of gratitude for all Howard’s nurses on C2 at Sunnybrook, the cleaning staff, personal support workers, and those who brought the meals.
We also want to thank the many friends who have called, visited, and brought meals and gifts over the last five months.
For those who would like to make a donation in Howard’s name, donations can be made to the Canadian Neuroendocrine Tumour Society. https://cnets.ca/
He was fond of good coffee, action movies, tailored suits, old houses, and stimulating conversation. He was knowledgeable and smart and could talk to anybody on a far-reaching number of interesting topics. Music was balm for soothing Howard’s soul. He was well-informed about all kinds of music including blues, jazz, Motown and classical – and he enjoyed them all. One of his favourite bands was the Temptations. He was also a beautiful singer and played the piano. He used to joke that in high school he was a role model for being both in the choir and on the football team.
Born in Toronto and first generation Canadian, Howard grew up in a traditionally working class, Anglo-Saxon neighbourhood the east end of Toronto, in an area known today as Leslieville. His parents who came from Barbados (father) and Saint Kitts and Nevis (mother).
After he graduated from high school, Howard pursued a degree in geography and urban studies at York University, before receiving a research associateship (and free tuition) to undertake a Master’s degree in city and regional planning at The Ohio State University in the USA. Upon completion, he returned to Toronto, where he worked in the Planning Department at City Hall before moving to the private sector.
Work was a very important part of Howard’s life. He derived great joy and satisfaction from it. For the last twenty years or more, he worked in different iterations of the same company now known as NetReveal in the area of anti-fraud and money laundering. Through this work, he made friends and connections from all over the world. At the core of his work, was service to clients, dedication, passion and uplifting those around him. Colleagues will say he was an angel and clients called him “the godfather.” Howard’s family is so grateful for all the support from the leadership of NetReveal as well as his colleagues and friends.
His penchant for helping others and giving back, was exemplified, over the years, by service on the board of directors of various organizations including The Stop (formerly Stop 103, a food bank and food kitchen for expectant mothers, among others); Bridgepoint Active Healthcare (a complex care and rehabilitation hospital, now known as the Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, to which he offered the perspective of someone raised in the neighbourhood); and Skills for Change (a program dedicated to helping internationally trained professionals enter the Canadian workforce). Howard mentored many newcomers and Canadians in their careers and co-led the support group for the Toronto and area Canadian Neuroendocrine Tumour Society up to the time of his death.
Howard and his wife Sue enjoyed a loving and meaningful life together. They traveled to Nunavut, the Yukon, Italy, Spain, Ireland and many other destinations across Canada. When they weren’t picking olives in Italy, they were enjoying their cottage in Haliburton with friends, or time at home. They relished get togethers with their many friends.
When Howard got together with Sue, having had no previous children, he joyfully acquired a beautiful daughter, Tannis Waugh. He was fiercely proud of her and followed her career and travel adventures with great interest. In recent years, she took him to a Raptors game where they enjoyed front row seats. At that game, he was mistaken for the Reverend Al Sharpton by a fan who wanted a picture with him. This became a longstanding family joke.
Son of Kenneth Leon Trotman and Doris Matilda Solomon. Howard is survived by his wife Sue Folinsbee, daughter Tannis Waugh (Paul), brothers Ken Trotman (Pauline), and Blair Trotman (Wendy). He is survived by his brother-in-law, John Folinsbee (Susan) and his nephews James Folinsbee (Chantal), Bryant Trotman (Olivia) and Drew Trotman (Jamiera). Howard also leaves behind his four cats – his special cat Chevy, Little One, Cee Cee and Oreo.
Howard endured a long illness with dignity and equanimity. He used to joke that he had as many doctors as he had friends. A friend once told him “Live life as a well person” and that’s what he did. He was well loved by his doctors and nurses at Sunnybrook Hospital. At the time of his last hospital visit, his nurses confessed that they would ask to have him as a patient on their shift because he was so kind and respectful to them.
Sue and Tannis would like to thank the Neuroendocrine Cancer team at Sunnybrook for their care of Howard over the years: Dr. Calvin Law, Dr, Simron Singh, and Dr. Sten Myrehaug. Thanks also to Dr. Jordon Zeppieri on the medical oncology unit for his kindness and ability to explain all things medical. We thank Dr. John Cameron for his care and his warmth during daily visits. A special thanks to Blaire Jones, a dear family friend and social worker at Sunnybrook who helped us navigate the hospital system. Blaire also was a constant visitor at Howard’s bedside and brought joy to his last days.
We acknowledge the long service and care of his family doctor, Dr. Arlene McKnight who even made a house call in the early days of Howard’s illness in 2012. We are full of gratitude for all Howard’s nurses on C2 at Sunnybrook, the cleaning staff, personal support workers, and those who brought the meals.
We also want to thank the many friends who have called, visited, and brought meals and gifts over the last five months.
For those who would like to make a donation in Howard’s name, donations can be made to the Canadian Neuroendocrine Tumour Society. https://cnets.ca/