Born January 30th, 1935 to Geoffrey Perry and Sophia Amelia (Amy Myers) Clarkson, big brother to Hugh M. and E. Tannis Clarkson. Geof married Cynthia (Johnson) in September 1958. Geof is fondly remembered by his large family including his loving wife of 63 years, Cynthia; his sons Edward T. (Ted) (Terra McSkimming) and Michael D. (Mike); daughter Alexandra L.; sister Tannis; grandsons Austin A. and Theo G. C. Stösser; along with his many loving nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Geof passed Saturday July 16th, peacefully, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.
A graduate of Upper Canada College and the University of Western Ontario (H.B.A. Business Administration, Ivey), Geof obtained his C.A in 1961. Geof was the fifth generation of the Clarkson family elected to the Partnership of Clarkson, Gordon & Company (f/k/a The Clarkson Company Ltd., now Ernst & Young), and was made a Fellow of the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1982. After retiring as the Director of the Real Estate and Construction Industry specialization group in 1995, Geof continued to work on many professional and administrative assignments including: Past Chair of Metropolitan Toronto Pension Plan; Past Chair Metropolitan Toronto Police Benefit Plan; Past Chair Toronto Civic Employees Pension Plan; Past Chair Toronto Fire Dept. Superannuation and Benefit Fund; and former Board of Directors, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Bd. As a subject matter expert with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, Geof served as an expert witness in a number of legal disputes; he was also a member of research groups and a task force of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Possessing a generous character and philanthropic nature, Geof was also active in the community. He was a Past Member and/or Chair of many committees including: Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants and Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants; Member, Finance Committee, The Parkinson’s Society; Past Member, Commission on Election Finances, Province of Ontario; Past Chair and Trustee, Hugh MacMillan Rehabilitation Centre (now Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab); Former C.F.O., Progressive Conservative Fund of Ontario; Past Trustee, St. Clements School; Past President, York Toronto Lung Association; Past President, Travelers Aid; Past Warden, Church of St. Clement; and Past Director, Variety Village.
Geof enjoyed travelling, especially with Cynthia, both internationally and within Canada, where they spent their time together enjoying new food, wine, theatre, and golf. Having honeymooned in Bermuda in 1958, Geof and Cynthia returned to Bermuda every year until recently, to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Partners in life, Geof and Cynthia were also keen bridge partners.
An avid racquet ball player, Geof was a champion badminton player, and enjoyed beating his children in tennis and squash; he was also an avid golfer, swimmer, and cross-country skier. Geof was a member of Rosedale Golf Club (Past President & Director); Muskoka Lakes Golf and Country Club (Past Board of Directors); Badminton and Racquet Club (Past Director); and the Granite Club in Toronto.
An expert at teasing, with a naughty sense of humor and bright smile, Geof laughed often. He won the respect of his peers, and the affection of all others. He appreciated the outdoors and was never more at home than at his cottage in Muskoka, where he spent many years as a child, father, and grandfather—boating, swimming, fishing, riding his Massey Ferguson 1950 T-30 tractor, gardening with Cynthia, and enjoying the company of family and friends.
Geof never met a butter-tart he didn’t like.
The family will host a visitation on Wednesday July 20th from 4 PM to 6PM at Morley Bedford Funeral Services Ltd., 159 Eglinton Ave. W., Toronto. Funeral will be at the Church of St. Clement on Thursday July 21st at 1 PM, 70 St. Clements Ave., Toronto.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Geoffrey W Clarkson HBA FCA; Consultant 2022..
Morley Bedford Funeral Services Ltd
Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario