CLARKE, Tony

TONY CLARKE

07/30/1944-12/04/2024

Tony passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family at Montfort Hospital in Ottawa at the age of 80. Born in Powell River, British Columbia, Tony was the son of Peggy and William Clarke. He will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of 56 years, Carol and his children, Tanya (Mike) and Chris (Melanie); and his grandchildren, Silo, Keiran and Lola. He is survived by his brother, Jeff (Wendy), and his sons, Joshua and Nathan.

Tony, AKA to his family as the “Tiger,” received his doctorate in Social Ethics from the University of Chicago, before moving to Ottawa; where he established himself as a social and environmental; activist. He was the chair of the Action Canada Network and he founded the Canadian think tank, the Polaris Institute. He was the author of twelve books and was co-awarded Sweden’s Right Livelihood Award in 2005.

He was a lover of black licorice, the Brooklyn Dodgers, sprinting, loons, Harry Belafonte, arm wrestling, his back-breaking travel bag and the mountains. Not necessarily in that order. A fighter, with a twinkle in his eye til his final hours, has now left us with a different agenda. A meeting from which he will not be returning and a  reunion with family, friends, a dog, a cat and two birds he has not seen in quite some time. Long may his words, his wisdom, his fierce roar and his humble heart live on.

Thank you to the Elsmere Villa staff and residents for their support and companionship. Donations can be made to Center for Policy Alternatives. Alternatively, an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for some unsuspecting soul in his name.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services, (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa) on Saturday April 19th, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Rest in peace. Your life was a gift to us all. 

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May God give you the strength and the courage to overcome these difficult times. May this message bring you the testimony of a profound and sincere sympathy. To help you forget these sad hours, may our thoughts bring you comfort and serenity. Although flowers wither, die and disappear, their precious perfume remains. Like these bright flowers, those we love never die, they remain with us forever imprinted in our memories. There are no words to express how much we are devastated by the loss you live. We just hope that our sympathy will bring you some relief.

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