Jaan Koster

It is with deep sadness and heartfelt gratitude for a life rich in love, resilience, and joy that we announce the passing of Jaan. He died peacefully at the age of 93.

Born on the tiny island of Kihnu in Estonia, Jaan's simple life was disrupted by WWII. At 11 years old, he and his family fled, sailing the Baltic Sea to Sweden, where Jaan took on school, and life, in a new language. Competitive and hardworking from the start, Jaan was determined to beat even the Swedish-born kids on Swedish spelling tests. As a young man there, he fell in love with jazz, and bought his first trumpet.

Eventually Jaan and his family cast off again, trumpet packed, this time to join the growing Estonian community in Toronto. English became his third language, and he met the love of his life, Beth. Beth was a recent immigrant too, from England, and together they built a new life from scratch. For the young couple, weekends meant trips to Woodland Beach followed by dinner at Lichee Garden. In 1964 Jaan and Beth bought their house in Scarborough, which soon included two children, a piano in the rec room and a Lowrey Super Genie organ in the living room. The cottage in Prince Edward County was just a drive east. And of course Jaan’s beloved Bluffers Park Yacht Club was nearby, where he raced every Wednesday, and taught his son Ian to sail. Beth shared Jaan’s love of, and talent for, music, and they were regulars at the Chick’n Deli for Sunday jazz.

He took immense pride in his career as a sheet metal worker. It was a trade in which his skill and work ethic shone, and it provided a great life for his family. Driving through the city, he liked to point out the impressive buildings he’d helped create.

Jaan enjoyed a long, happy retirement full of his typical non-stop activity. He was an avid skier and skater well into his 80s, and a passionate musician. He became a legend at BPYC for both his sailing skills and his moves on the dance floor. He was a softie when it came to dogs, budgies and his favourite swan at the Bluffs. He absolutely lit up with love around his grandchildren. He cared for his parents in their old age, and for his wife when she became ill.

Jaan is dearly remembered by his children Kim (Scott) and Ian (Lisa); his grandchildren Nina, Justin, and Shane; his brother Rolf; his cousin Linda; his nieces Tania and Trina; and his whole extended family in Canada, Sweden and Estonia. He was predeceased by his wife Beth, his parents Gustav and Marta, and his brother Ed.

He was loved and is deeply missed by all his wonderful friends and caregivers, and we thank them for making his senior years a delight. We are grateful to the kind staff at Ina Grafton Gage Home.

Jaan lived a life of courage, adventure, laughter and generosity. Though he has sailed beyond the horizon, his music lives on in our memories, and his spirit continues to dance in our hearts.

A celebration of Jaan’s life will be held at Bluffers Park Yacht Club on Sun Sept 20 from 2 - 5 pm. Email sept20info@gmail.com if you need information on getting to the club.

Donations are welcome to Broad Reach Canada (broadreachcanada.ca), which gives underrepresented youth the chance to gain leadership and teamwork skills through sailing.