The Program - Sunday April 5th 2009

Enoch Turner Schoolhouse
Sunday 5th of April, 2009
2 – 5 pm

There will be displays/exhibits of Harri’s life and work

The Program: Celebrating Harri’s life in 3 Scenes:

Scene One: ( at 2.15 p.m.)
“ Harri – the Estonian”.

Scene Two: ( at 3.15 p.m.)
“ Harri – the teacher ”.

Scene Three: ( at 4.15 p.m.)
“ Harri – the fun loving friend.”


We will conclude at around 5 p.m. with some closing songs.

Map and Parking @ Enoch Turner Schoolhouse

Students' written tributes to Harri

These are some of what the students wrote about Harri.

Mr. Murk,
Coming from a fairly misbehaved student, you were the best teacher I’ve had in my Grade 11 year. You taught me about travel, the tides, winds and beautiful storms that create natural disasters. If anything, you were the storm, your death was the disaster. I’ll miss you dearly.
E.

Dear Mr. Murk,
I can’t believe you’re gone. I just wanted to thank you for being such a warm light in this school everyday. It was a joy to be in your class, and a pure honour to know you. No one rocks a sweater quite like you! I will always “wander aimlessly” for you. I know you’re wandering in peace somewhere. Know that you will never be forgotten and will be eternally loved. You are one of the greatest.
Love,
K.

Hey Mr. Murk,
I’m writing on this side of the paper to save trees, always thinking about the environment, right?  You were definitely top 3 teachers I ever had or will have. I took home the volcano we made today, I just wouldn’t let anyone throw that out. It is a symbol of your life to me. I love your class Murk, you were always in such a good mood and always making me and J. laugh we really loved you and I remember almost everytime leaving the class J and I would say something like, “Aw he’s so cute” or nice, or funny …we should have told you to your face how much we liked you! Always so full of life. I will never forget your Halloween costume it made my day. I’m sorry for skipping some of your classes and thank you for being so understanding and forgiving and for giving lots of second chances. You were a great teacher and a great man. I will always remember you as the greatest geography teacher to ever walk the EARTH!
Love ALWAYS
C

Mr. Murk,
I loved your class, you made me enjoy Travel and Tourism. If it weren’t for you I woulnd’t be where I am today. I loved your sweaters, you always brought style to our classroom. I will always remember you
Thank you for everything
M XO

I did not have a chance to meet or get to know Mr. Murk until my fourth year at Birchmount, and even this year, I still only began to get to know the complex man that Mr. Murk was. In a heavily sports-centred school, Mr. Murk brought a sense of diversity to the otherwise one-dimensional institution. He impacted a number of souls who, like Mr. Murk, were not overly interested in athletics, but still wanted to take part in a school social club, whether it be the reading club, the fashion show, or Reach for the Top. Personally, I got to know Mr. Murk’s humble personality through the Reach team. Although the honourable, widely respected Mr. Murk was quite quiet, he sure left a mark on this world. He always knew what he wanted, and jumped at any opportunity that he thought he would enjoy. If it wasn’t for Mr. Murk, I, along with dozens of other students, wouldn’t be able to take part in Reach for the Top, or the other various clubs he lended his time to. Thank you Mr. Murk for giving the school and community variety, humility and compassion.
R.

Dear Mr. Murk,
How did I pass? You helped me by giving me the opportunity to pass in Gr. 9 Geo. I surprised you in the end with an amazing exam score. That isn’t what I remember you for though. You were happy over a small gift I gave you for Christmas, you were a proud supporter of the EAL, you shared your delicious sugar cookies to me, and my sister. You laughed and had fun when you were around, your were brilliant in Reach, and for these memories I have because of you, thank you. Thank you for not only being a great teacher but a great inspiration.
M.

Muuurk,
You never gave up on me, even when I gave you hell. You tried your best to keep me on track and stop me from throwing snowballs in the classroom. Your always kept your cool though. Amazing teacher, an even better role model, and will be remembered greatly. Just like you never forgot about me when I skipped your Geo class, I will never forget you and neither will anyone who’s lives you’ve touched and blessesd. Always been cool and always will be.
C.

There is another angel in heaven today. A very warm and well dressed one. I will always remember Mr. Murk, wearing his funky vests and awesome ties. I’ll miss him and forever think of him fondly.
C.

I feel richer that I have met Harry. Not enough, though, not enough.
A.

Dear Murkinator,
Hi sir, I’m so devastated you’re your gone. You were such an inspiration to me in so many different ways, my favourite teacher by far…
You were not afrail to be yourself no matter how different you were. I still loved every goofy part of you. I’ll never forget that day you told me I was like a daughter to you, even though I was such a brat to you. You told me the reason you were so tough on me was because you believed in me, which not many people do. I wish you could know, I wish I could tell you, that because of you believing in me I tried harder in life, and how I’m on the right parth in life. You’re an amazing teacher, not many teachers loved + cared about their students like you did. I’ll miss you in the halls Murk, it’s gonna suck not seeing your goofy smile, and not being able to hear you ask me each + every day how things were going. I wish you could know the huge impact you have had on my life. You were not embaressed of your sexuality, you didn’t care what others thought, which inspired me to be open about my sexuality. Unlike some people, you listened and cared for ALL of your students whether they were on your bad side or not. You lived an amazing and intresting life filled with happiness +I’m happy you got the chance to leave this world on a peaceful note.
To Murk’s family: I’m sorry for your loss, Murkinator was a great man, and I was lucky to ever have the chance to have him in my life.
Love you forever Harry Murk. You’ll always be my favourite teacher and I’ll never forget you.
Love,
C. XOXOXOXOXOXOOXRIPMurk

Dear Mr. Murk,
I’ll always remember that flare and fun you brought to each class. You made Grade 9 Geography a class I always looked forward to. You may have been brief in my life, only having had you for one class, but I’ll forever feel blessed to have met someone who so genuinely loved his job, and brought happiness to so many. Even on rough days, your upbeat spirit made everything seem just a bit better. You will be missed. By the school, by the students, by me, that nervous awkward nine, that learned to open up a bit, in your class. Thanks.
A.

Hey Murky Baby,
I was just getting to know you better. I wish we had more time. You were an original, full of life, fun, intelligence, love & laughter. I loved the mischievious side of you. I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to have our dinner party at C’s.
I only knew you a little while but you mean a whole bunch to me.
Peace unto your and your family
Love,
T

From Heljo - Harri's sunday school teacher

As children, we all like to imagine what we would like to be and do when we grow up. Yet, life often takes us in different directions then we as children dreamed of. Still, a few of us do go on and live their childhood dreams. One of these was Harri.

I was a Sunday School Superintendent in Estonian St. Peter's Church for 22 years. As refugees, every organization has to do double duty: first, what it is what it is supposed to do and second, to foster national identity and pride. Our Sunday School was no exception. Thus, in addition to weekly religious content, we had each year several celebrations that had no religious content, but were the “candy” that was to make the real meal more appetizing. The biggest of these events was the Christmas party which among other fun things featured a Christmas play. These were quite elaborate productions and it usually involved 40-50 children.

When Harri was 4 years old, he had a small part in the play and apparently enjoyed his”debut” on the stage very much. A couple of weeks after Christmas, his mother told me that Harri told her enthusiastically that when he grew up, he wanted to be “Mrs. Liitoja” (me)! Mrs. Murk was understandable somewhat surprised. Upon further questioning, Harri explained that he too would like to teach Estonian and write Estonian plays like Mrs. Liitoja.

As years went by, I kept reading in the Estonian paper about somebody named Harri Murk who had written Estonian plays, was acting in them and was also teaching Estonian as a Second Language. I wondered whether this could be the same little Harri whom I had known in my Sunday School but this didn’t seem very likely.

Then, one day at an Estonian function, a young man came up to me and introduced himself as Harri Murk. “Are you the same Harri about whom the Estonian papers write?
Were you in St. Peter’s Sunday School? Do you have a sister named Daisy?” After getting an affirmative answer to all my questions, it was still hard for me to connect the shy little boy whom I remembered from the Sunday School days to the accomplished young man about whom the Estonian papers had been writing, yet here was the proof before my eyes!

From that day on, I didn’t lose sight of Harri. I discovered we had common friends and with time, we became friends and a good friend he was! One, on whom I could always depend. When I was hospitalized I had many friends visit me. One I could count on was Harri. He came with flowers, articles he thought might interest me, books etc. His visits didn’t stop when I was released from the hospital and convalescing at home. He came, sometimes alone, sometimes with Tony, always bringing food. And the dishes were done, when they left!

When I was writing a book and needed information about some topics, I called on Harri. He helped me and the roles were reversed; the student had become the teacher and the teacher – the student.

Harri you have a special place in my heart. It shall remain yours forever.

From Bob McConnell

HARRY MÜRK


There are some men
who should have mountains
to bear their names to time.

Leonard Cohen


The above lines could well have been written for our dear friend Dr. Harry Mürk,
taken from us so suddenly on February 24, 2009. These brief notes of tribute are in the context of Harry’s exemplary work as interpreter (English and Estonian) in support of the language immersion program sponsored by the Canadian Government, the Estonian Government, and the Toronto District School Board.

From the moment I met Harry ten years ago, I was impressed by his immaculate command of English and, according to my Estonian colleagues, of the Estonian language as well. Harry’s depth of knowledge was profound and his love of Estonia, and all things Estonian, boundless. Harry’s personal and professional generosity was unparalleled. I will sorely miss our wonderful, private moments together at the Šoti Klubi in Tallinn, discussing our mutual passion for language over an appropriate libation. (For Harry, that would inevitably be a fine single malt Scotch.) At those times, Harry always displayed unlimited patience as I bombarded him with a seemingly endless stream of questions about Estonian language and culture.

Sleep well, my friend. Your memory lives on and you are missed more than you could ever know.


Robert McConnell
Co-ordinator, Estonian Language Immersion Project
Toronto District School Board

Poem of the Gifts for Harri

Because of Harri's love of books, I have found a lot of comfort from these words in a poem by Borges. I find myself compelled to seek out or create translations of it and recite them as if they were a mantra of some sort. So I'm sharing here the original, an english version and an estonian version.

yo, que me figuraba el Paraíso
bajo la especie de una biblioteca
- Jorge Luis Borges (Poema de los Dones)

When I imagine Heaven
I have always pictured it as a kind of library
- Jorge Luis Borges (Poem of the Gifts)

siis kui ma olen ettekujutanud Paradiisi,
see on olnud alati raamatukogu sarnane.
- Jorge Luis Borges (Annetiste luuletus)

Harri the Geography teacher dressed for Halloween

From the Toronto Star tributes

Guest Book for
Dr. Harry William Mürk
Page 1 of 1



March 4, 2009
It was in the spring of last year when I discovered Harri Mürk's article "Discovering the Regi Song" on the Estonian Literary Magazine website. I never met Harri nor did I know anything more about him other than what was written in this one article yet I was immediately and deeply smitten with his beautiful writing. I was truly saddened to hear news of his dealth. My sincerest condolences to his partner, family and friends.

Eva Vabasalu (White Rock, BC)

March 3, 2009
Although we never had the pleasure of meeting Harry we learnt from Tony and Willem and Frits what a very special person he was. We wish Tony and all family and friends much strength in this sorrowful time and please know that we are thinking of you.
Hans and Joanne Landsaat

Joanne Landsaat (Amsterdam)

March 1, 2009
We, Frits Brand and Willem van der Hulst from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, will remember Harri, as we met him in Holland, as well in Toronto and in Estonia, as a very concerned host, a good friend, and we hope so may people who are sharing Tony's grief, that it will give some consolation.

Willem van der Hulst (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

March 1, 2009
On behalf of the Finno-Ugric Studies Association of Canada(FUSAC), our membership expresses its heartfelt condolences to his relatives, partner, and friends. Harri was an active promoter of Uralic studies in North America and a great friend and supporter of FUSAC.He will be sorely missed by all of us.
Sincerely,Peter B. Brown, PresidentFinno-Ugric Studies Association of CanadaDepartment of HistoryRhode Island CollegeProvidence, RI 02908401-456-8167pbrown@ric.edu

Pete Brown (Providence, RI)

March 1, 2009

Graciousness and kindness characterized Harri. He was a respected colleague and I am grateful to have worked with him. Condolences to his family.

Juta Kitching (Vancouver, BC)

February 28, 2009
Harri was such a wonderful man and I was blessed to know him and call him a friend. I will always remember his generosity and his wonderful garden parties. He had a personality that could light up a room. He had a way of making everyone feel special. My heart goes out to Tony and all of Harri's family and friends.

Dwight Byrd (Scarborough, ON)

February 28, 2009
Harry was my friend, a friend that I treasured. He leaves a void in my life that I will feel as long as I'm bless with a memory. May he rest in peace.

Joe Kenny (Scarborough, ON)

February 27, 2009
Harry was my Grade 11 travel and tourism teacher at Birchmount Park collegiate. If not for him, I would not have succeeded in his class, I probably would have left school.

Richard White (Toronto, ON)

February 27, 2009
Harri was a wonderful friend, a great host and a gourmet cook! He opened his heart and his home to his friends. We were always welcome. May this loving man find peace and happiness. And may those of us who mourn him find ways to support and console each other.

Linda Mulhall (Victoria, BC)

The obituaries

At the Toronto Star website:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=124664561

Dr. Harry William Mürk

MÜRK, Dr. Harry William - June 8, 1954 - February 24, 2009 It is with great sadness we announce the unexpected passing of Dr. Harry William Mürk, friend, librarian/ teacher at Birchmount Collegiate Institute, writer/editor, university professor, host, son, brother and uncle. Harry showered all who knew him with unending generosity, kindness, humour, good food and caring attention. His appreciation and knowledge of his beloved Estonia was deep and meaningful. Harry will be profoundly missed by his mother, sister, niece, his partner Tony Souza, and his many friends and family here and in Estonia. Visitation at the Murray E. Newbigging Funeral Home, 733 Mount Pleasant Rd., Toronto (416-489-8811) on Saturday, February 28, 2009 from 2-6 p.m. Private cremation. There will be a Memorial Celebration of his life - time and date to be announced. If you wish, donations honouring Harry may be made in Harry's memory to The Protection of Ancient Estonian Heritage Sites Fund at the Estonian Credit Union, account no. 124200, http://www.estoniancu.com/

At the Estonian Life website:
http://www.eesti.ca/?op=article&articleid=22946

Dr HARRY WILLIAM MÜRK
In Memoriam 26 Feb 2009


dr HARRY WILLIAM MÜRK *8. juuni 1954 Toronto - † 24. veebruar 2009 TorontoLahkunuga hüvastijätt Murray E. Newbigging Matusemajas Torontos (733 Mt Pleasant Rd, tel 416-489-8811) laupäeval, 28. veebruaril k.a. kell 2-6 p.l. Põrm tuhastatakse. Lillede asemel palub perekond teha annetuse Harry nimel EESTI HIITE TOETUSFONDILE, arve Toronto Eesti Ühispangas #124200.

From the principal of Birchmount Park C.I. - Georgia Gallagher

Good Afternoon.
I am honoured to speak today on behalf of Birchmount Park students and staff. Harry Murk was one of those rare educators who touched the lives of all he worked with. He inspired his students to stretch their minds beyond the walls of the classroom and the school, beyond walls of their homes, and beyond the walls of the fear of the unknown. He brought to his classes the world – the world he traveled, the world he experienced, the world that needed healing and the world that invoked joy. His students described a teacher who could barely contain himself from jumping in excitement when sharing his knowledge about a particular country or part of the world. His enthusiasm as a Geographer was contagious and so many of our young people have followed in his footsteps in college, in university and or in their lives.

Harry’s influence on students did not reside solely in the classroom. In the library he developed a student following – many meeting him there when it opened up – to chat in the quiet moments before school started about books he had recommended, about assignments, about life. Students on his Reach for the Top team, his co-coach and opponent schools marveled at his vast knowledge about so many subjects, but in particular his knowledge of the world we live in.

A born performer, Harry was never far from the spotlight activities at the school. He donned his mirrored and sequined vest on stage in the musical “Grease” alongside the students he directed and belted out song. He was a fixture at our Fashion Show, as both advisor and in the prestigious role of judge. Out he was again on stage, during our Teacher Idol competition – singing from the heart and to the delight of his students, who chanted “Mr. Murk, Mr. Murk” from the audience. He delighted in these roles, and would have it no other way than to jump in with both feet and give his all – to serve as a model for others to take risks, to be involved, and to make a difference.

Teaching can be a challenge. For Harry it was a calling. His gentle manner, genuine caring, and excitement for life earned him the respect and admiration of a difficult to tap into and discerning audience – today’s youth.
Harry had a gift of making everyone who knew him feel special and for so many at Birchmount Park, and for students and staff alike Mr. Murk was their favourite. He did not sweat the small stuff, and focused on the things that mattered – his friendships and relationships with colleagues, his job as teacher and role model to students, and his advocacy for making our school better through equity awareness. To say we will miss Harry does not adequately convey our sense of loss and the impact he has had on our Birchmount Park family.

To Tony, Daisy, family and friends, it was an honour for us to know and work with your Harry. Mr. Murk was a passionate man who walked the talk – as evidenced by his life-long accomplishments. He was modest in those accomplishments, and humbled by the many things he had yet to experience and learn.

May he rest in peace. Rahu tema põrmule.

From: http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/birchmount

In Memory of Teacher Harry Murk

Mr. Murk was a passionate man who walked the talk – as evidenced by his life-long accomplishments. He was modest in those accomplishments, and humbled by the many things he had yet to experience and learn.Mr. Murk touched so many aspects of life at Birchmount Park Collegiate. He was involved in the school musical Grease both as a member of the organization committee, but also as a performer. He resurrected his role from Grease at our bi-annual “Teacher Idol” competition. An avid supporter of the Arts, Mr. Murk was a key individual and judge in the annual Fashion Show. He worked tirelessly with students to showcase student designs. Academically, Mr. Murk put his vast array of qualifications to work as coach of the “Reach” team – the first-ever team at Birchmount Park. He also was coordinatorof “White Pine Readers” – a book club for students.
Former students and alumni are welcome to sign a book of memories at the school which can be found in the main office for the next two of weeks.
Students, alumni, former colleagues and staff are welcome at the funeral visitation on Saturday, February 28, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Murray Newbigging Funeral Home (733 Mt. Pleasant Road).
We will miss you dearly Mr. Murk. Rest in Peace.

Alan Teder's tribute

Harri – the young adult and the actor/performer

"Be yourself... but fabulously."

A young Harri Mürk learned this secret to the art of stage performance through an acting workshop studio during the 1970s. The saying apparently originates with the British dancer/actor & mime artist Lindsay Kemp.

But the words, "Be yourself... but fabulously", could just as well have been the incantation and instruction that the creator & great spirit used when they brought Harri William Murk into the world. As this was exactly how Harri lived his entire life, and it was this fabulous person that we all loved and with whose company we were blessed for the past 54 years.

Harri performed in, wrote and directed countless plays, musical theatre, farces, comedies, dramas, poetry recitals and performance art pieces over the course of his life. In his teens and twenties he was the “go-to” guy if a young romantic lead hero was required in the local Toronto-Estonian community theatre companies of which there were several. The fact that his Estonian was impeccable, his acting gifts were innate and that his physique and clothing sense could cut a dashing figure on the stage, all combined to make him the top casting choice for your production. If you managed to cast Harri in the lead, your play would be guaranteed a success, regardless of whether the other amateurs were up to it. Harri’s example would always raise the bar, so that everyone else in the cast would work to try to rise to his level.

I want to mention two roles especially that will stick in my mind forever. The local playwright Elmar Maripuu had an idea for a comic-book-style musical-comedic farce in the early 1980’s. The hero would lead a secret identity life as a mild-mannered bespectacled librarian, dressed in a bow-tie and v-neck powder blue sweater, a tweed jacket and carrying a briefcase loaded with books. When oppression and danger would threaten the meek and the weak, our hero would transform himself through a nifty costume change into blue, black and white spandex tights and cape and emerge as “Super-Esto”. Can you guess who was born to play this part? Yes, it was our Harri… and actually it wasn’t much of a stretch for him as he just had to play himself… but fabulously! There was a musical dance interlude built-into the piece where all of the several superheroes who were already clad in the appropriate tights and spandex outfits, did an intermission act as the “Kalev Equestrienne”, mimicking the standard rhythmic gymnastics performed by young Estonian teenage girls in the group “Kalev Estienne”. The sight of Harri leading the boys troupe through the routines with balls and hoops is a hysterical memory in my mind. Somehow as they got better at the routine over time, it actually became funnier and funnier.

The other role that I want to mention will be a secret to most of you, as it was not performed on the conventional theatre stage. After a dress-up party at the house of Harri’s dear childhood friend Erika Johanson, several people observed that Harri cut quite a dashing figure in his top hat, tails and tuxedo. There was nothing else for it, except that the performance had to carry on and a limousine was rented and, still in his outfit, Harri travelled through the Toronto night-life of clubs and discos with an entourage of appropriately dressed companions. But Harri’s chosen character for the night was not as a local club-crawler, rather he presented himself as Estonian Royalty, the lost heir to the Estonian throne and he refused to speak a word of English to anyone for the rest of the night until dawn arrived, regardless of the bouncers or barmen’s interrogations or threats he encountered when he demanded free admission or drinks for himself and his party. Fortunately no policemen or other authorities were encountered who could have called the bluff. But there was never anyone who was more qualified to be Estonian Royalty than our Harri.

The Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges in his "Poem of the Gifts" said that "When I imagine Heaven, I have always pictured it as a kind of library". Our Harri, Our SuperEsto, our lost Crown Prince of Estonia, our beloved teacher and professor and our dear friend has gone to that eternal library now.

May his spirit have eternal peace.

Debbie Corrigan's words

Here is the paragraph that Debbie Corrigan ( who was the MC at the ceremony) read out.
It is from "Eight Steps to Happiness' by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
It is a commentary to the great Buddhist mind training text "Eight Verses of Training the Mind" by Geshe Langri Tangpo written almost a thousand years ago: p 52 in Chapter "Learning to Cherish Others"

"Cherishing our neighbours and the people in our local area will naturally lead to harmony in the community and society at large, and this will make everyone happier. We may not be a well-known or powerful figure, but if we sincerely cherish everyone we meet we can make a profound contribution to our community. This is true even for those who deny the value of religion. There are some people who do not believe in past or future lives or in holy beings but who nevertheless try to give up self-concern and work for the benefit of others. This is a very positive attitude that will lead to good results.
If a schoolteacher cherishes his or her students, and is free from self-concern, they will respect him and learn not only the subject he teaches but also the kind and admirable qualities he demonstrates. Such a teacher will naturally influence those around him in a positive way, and his presence will transform the whole school. It is said that there exists a magic crystalthat has the power to purify any liquid in which it is placed. Those who cherish all living beings are like this crystal - by their very presence they remove negativity from the world and give back loving kindness."

Harri Murk : June 8, 1954 - February 24, 2009

This is a blog for friends, family and community of Harri Murk. Please feel free to write in the blog.

tony souza