He leaves behind his 4 children…Lembit Jr. (and his wife Karen), Arno (and his wife Daphne), Tom (and his wife Gail), Tina (and her husband Peter) and 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
Lembit left his homeland of Estonia during World War II and eventually immigrated to Canada in 1948 along with his wife Mary and young son Lembit Jr. Their courage was evident as they started over in a new country with a new baby, in a new language and with very little money. After many years of working for others in the seafood industry, Lembit started Grimms Foods in 1969 in Concord, Ontario. This business grew to become the respected Janes Family Foods with four facilities around the GTA.
Lembit was very involved in the Estonian community in Toronto. At his church, St. Andrew's Estonian Lutheran, he was a long standing member and he was also a leader in the Estonian business community and in the Rotalia Fraternity. He was known for his integrity, dry sense of humour, hospitality and generous nature, and for those who worked with him… the picture of his head down, walking through the plant “on a mission” in his white lab coat. His lobster parties will always be a fond memory for his family and friends. His dedication for excellence has inspired his family in many ways over the years…he will be missed…
Lembit's family wishes to extend special thanks to the loving care that he received from all of the staff at Sunrise Assisted Living. You truly made it home for our Dad, always treating him with humour, dignity and respect.
A special celebration of Lembit's life will take place in January 2013…
Visitation on Friday, January 11, 2013 at Thompson Funeral Home
530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, ON
2:00 – 4:00 PM & 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Funeral Service on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 11:00 AM
at St. Peter's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church
817 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON
*In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer Society of Canada
John 14: 1-4 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am….”