You two have brought together hundreds and thousands of people together around peace, ecology and social justice issues over the years. Really, you've changed the world. Not only in the sense of energizing others, but in many other ways, that I'm sure we don't even know yet. Please always remember that.
Kelly Reinhardt, Toronto

Where will we find his like again?
Gary Atchison, Edmonton

I was fortunate to have met him and know of his good work for all.
April Severin, Hamilton, ON

He was definitely an amazing person and I hope we're able to continue to share his work with others.
Lauren, Toronto

Tooker taught me about climate change, and demand-side management of residential water use, electricity and heating. He encouraged our family to become car-free and generally helped us reduce our environmental footprint. He was annoyingly purist in practicing what he preached and you couldn't help but admire him for his tenacity in striving to make the world a better place. Tooker and Angela can be credited for my conversion and dedication to environmentalism! I will be forever grateful for the lessons learned from Tooker, and I believe the world is a lesser place without him.
Katheryn Molloy, Victoria

I am so grateful for Tooker's passion and dedication.
Jennifer, Bill and Phyllis Bocock, St. Albert

I did see him juggle and I did hear him play the harmonica. I will always remember him that way and as the Robin Hood he was. The two of you were an inspiration to me.
Claude Theoret, France

Tooker's legacy is a positive one for Edmonton. The organizations he helped to start have bigger memberships than ever, realizing more and more measurable benefits to the city. The hundreds, maybe thousands, of people he influenced are working hard on peace and environmental protection, clean energy, sustainable cities, independent media, aboriginal rights, an end to poverty in this world... Increasingly misrepresented and ridiculed by the commercial press, Tooker's ability to pick himself up and storm right back into the public arena seemed indomitable. He (almost) always made me feel like I was on a winning team. Even losing an election was a victory because we had participated in democracy. We had gotten some press and asked the right questions.
Barb Allard, Edmonton

You have both given much of yourselves.
Katharine Vansittart

I honour Tooker Gomberg's actions and memory in my mind and heart. His courage, actions and effectiveness are an inspiration! He worked within and outside the system, simultaneously. He never wavered from his beliefs and practiced them into his middle age.
Arlene Zimmerman, Montreal

I had the great honor of e-mailing back and forth one night with Tooker and it was wonderful. The two of you have been inspirational to us all.
Jeff Rakus

In the mid 1970's I remember sharing an un forgettable bike trip to Quebec city. Taking a break in a village along the old Chemin du Roy, we visited a small church and proceeded to sneak up to the off-limits balcony. We hid under the pews and played cat-and-mouse with an irascible caretaker who caught us out. Oh, what a mischievous, anti-authoritarian streak Tooker had. After arriving in Quebec City, we decided - just for the heck of it (you did a lot of wacky things 'just for the heck of it' with Tooker) - to try out a free introductory session at a Vic Tanney's gym. Took loved the irony in our being instructed by the trainer to mount stationary exercise bikes, after all the open-road pedaling we had just completed. He had a pitch-perfect sense of the absurd! I recall, too, hitchhiking down to Hampshire College with Mark to spend a few days with Took and discovering his talents as a photographer, budding organizer and energy-conservation authority.
Bert Marotte, Montreal

It is often said: "The best ones go first". Tooker was one of them. He worked for all of us.
Regina and Fred Elbl, Hudson, Quebec

I can't put into words how I feel about Tooker... I was there at Edmonton City Hall (memorial ceremony) when you spoke your moving words, and he was there, all around. Gave me the strength to carry on... and then I was there to see your videos and learned so much I had never known about you both. And I was there on Earth Day to hear Peter Jansen announce that Tooker's name will forever be celebrated across the land through the Earth Day Award, and Sally Issenman remembered his laughter... But most moved I was by Tooker's Letter to an Activist! Thank you for sharing that. I am passing it around and am taking it to heart. One has to find the balance in life! I never forgot how he offered to help me fight the road here in St. Albert and how xxx was outraged that an Edmonton council member "would meddle in our affairs". She did not get the point: this is everybody's affair. Nothing to do with municipal politics.
Elke Blodgett, St. Albert, AB

I didn't know Tooker, but his writing connects with me deeply.
Brent Kopperson, ON

We thank you sincerely for all the contributions you and Tooker have made.
Merv and Jean Rogers, Edmonton

Dear Tooker made a difference in many people's lives. He was a tireless worker, [with] cheerful, bountiful energy.
Mary Polivnikoff, Edmonton

I remember Tooker's energy and focussed dedication to his beliefs.
Penny Coates, Edmonton

I want you to know that Tooker is a great inspiration to many of us, and will always be remembered fondly, now as one of the patron saints of our movement.
Mark and Susie Counselman, Baltimore

Thanks for the energy.
Sander Freeman

Tooker was a good person...
Jim Darwish, Edmonton

The earth has just lost one of her great souls much too early, even though in his brief passage on this planet, Tooker touched and inspired very many others. I have rarely felt as inspired and hopeful as in the presence of Tooker. Knowing he was out there made me feel more confident about the world. I will miss him.
Christian Huot, Montreal

We thank you sincerely for all the contributions you and Tooker have made.
Merv and Jean Rogers, Edmonton

There are so few Tooker Gombergs in the world and in my busy work/family life I need a Tooker (and an Ange) to ground me in what matters! I presumed Tooker, the EcoCity guy, would just go on forever, working so tirelessly to ensure there would be a world for us, for our kids and grandkids. The void that he has left is startling. The responsibilities now passed to all of us to fight our battles without him quite daunting. Sadly I was in Alberta at the time of Tooker's memorial in Toronto but a few days later I saw a cyclist carrying a "Gomberg for Mayor" bike flag. He was a dear old friend of Tooker's from Montreal. I stopped him and we talked for ages on that street corner in Toronto, my kids hanging around to hear the stories. I hugged him when we said good-bye feeling like I knew him well through our link to you and Tooker. As I continued home, I thought how many conversations and hugs were happening amongst strangers all over the world. Chance encounters like ours, linked only by knowing the man who was Tooker Gomberg... His death was tragic but his life was anything but. The world is a better place for knowing him and his spirit lives on in all its living creatures.
Sue Edwards, Toronto

 

Other condolences have been received from:

* Jan Slakov, Salt Spring Island, BC
* Sonja Mihelcic, Edmonton