Toi RomanTOI, Roman, PhD  - June 18, 1916 – May 7, 2018

Canadian-Estonian choir conductor, composer and organist Roman Toi died peacefully in his sleep at Ehatare Retirement and Nursing Home in Toronto and now has joined his loving wife and soulmate Vaiki.

He is remembered by his son; Ants and wife Inga, granddaughter; Kristi (Toi) and Paul Greco and great-grandchildren; Peter and Holly, and grandson; Peter and Regan (Walker) and great-grandchildren; Oliver and Lilli. Born in Kõo, district of Viljandi, Estonia to Anni (nee Puskar) and Hans Toi, he was the older brother of Harri.

Developing his musical talents at Jakob Westholm School he was invited to lead the school choir by Tuudur Vettik. There he won the 100-anniversary competition for Westholm school song "One School" which is sung to this day.

From 1932-1936 and 1941-1944, he studied choir direction, organ, composition and conducting at the Tallinn Conservatory. He studied at the University of Chicago, the RCM, the Institute of Advanced Studies in Montreux, Switzerland, and the University of Toronto. He obtained his PhD in 1977.

When the Soviets occupied Estonia in 1944, Roman fled with his wife and young son to Germany, where, to preserve Estonian traditions, he led choirs and organized concerts and song festivals in displaced persons (DP) camps.

In 1949, he immigrated to Canada, where he first settled in Montreal before moving on to Toronto in 1951.

He is sorely missed by his immediate family and his international "family" who will remember his dedication to family and principles, his accomplishments, his energy, wit, and indefatigable cheerfulness.

He had the ability to see the positive side of everything and lived up to the motto he composed for the Toronto Male Choir, which begins "Alati Sinule kodumaa..." (Always for you, my homeland...). Private funeral.

Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers for those who wish, donations would be appreciated to the Estonian Relief Committee in Canada (Ehatare), 40 Old Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON, M1E 3J5 or Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1W2.

TorontoObituaries.com

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