This event is presented by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and will be a fun family-friendly community event celebrating the magic of fall!!
Participate in a guided nature walk of the Pocket's green spaces and get creative with fall crafts.
You will need to register for this event to help the TRCA plan. Register now at: trca.ca/fall-foliage
The Pocket Change Project presents the fifth edition of our Eco Fun Fair! Check out all the details at:
Very sad news to share. Jeff Otto, our beloved friend and neighbour - known by many in the hood as the 'Pocket Mayor'" as died. His obituary and details of his celebration of life are posted below - his family hopes you can join in.
*FYI* we are exploring ways to honour and remember Jeff within the Pocket in the coming months. Stay tuned for updates
Suddenly as a result of a heart attack while participating in the PWA Friends for Life bike ride from Toronto to Montreal, a 600 km fundraising ride he looked forward to every year.
Jeff was predeceased by his mother Patricia Otto & his partner Ron Birdsall. Devasted by his loss are his father Don, sister Susan Currie (Scott), nephews Brett & Bradley, great nephew Damian, and his partner in life Dean Miller. He also leaves behind aunts, uncles, cousins, his most cherished chosen family of friends, as well as his celebrity status pup Maisie.
Jeffrey was born in Edmonton Alberta, moving to Ontario as a toddler. He did his schooling in Clarkson, followed by taking Radio & Television Broadcasting at Ryerson, as well as cabinet making. His passion was people. First working in the hospitality industry, then dabbling in acting before finding his calling with Toronto Fire Services. Jeff recently retired from his career as a firefighter with Toronto Fire Station 322 having what he proclaimed was “the best job ever!” He was the pulse of the community he lived in called The Pocket, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for his endless volunteering within this community. He was also affectionately dubbed “the Mayor of The Pocket”. Among Jeff’s joys were wine, brunch, vintage tv’s, family, forging friendships, enhancing and involvement in the neighbourhood, the theatre, movies, travelling, his dogs, and Amazon Prime. He and Dean just built a lovely welcoming home together, already the scene of many great gatherings.
Jeff will forever be remembered as a kind, giving soul with an infectious smile.
Our love and thanks to all of our family and friends for the outpouring of support this last week, as well as our eternal gratitude to all those involved in the attempts to save his life.
A celebration of Jeff’s life is planned for Sunday August 25, 2024 at Country Heritage Park, in the Gambrel Barn; 8560 Tremaine Rd, Milton L9T 2X3 from 1pm-4pm with the reading of the eulogy at 1:30 pm sharp. For parking, guests should use the north entrance and then walk through the red admission building. For those who have mobility issues, you can drop them off at the barn doors using the south entrance and pick them up at the end of the event.
Donations in Jeff’s memory can be made to his bike rally fundraising efforts on line at www.tinyurl.com/jeffsride2024
To visit his tribute wall go to: Aftercare.org