Robert Mark TarBush (BA, LLB) of Listowel passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, in his 70th year.
A man—with a fluidity of words, a spinner of tales; with a dedication to working and helping others; who adored being out and about talking to people; with a fondness for cars and singing, with a devotion to make a positive impact on his community— unjustly had these skills and passions stolen from him after surgery for glioblastoma. But the cancer didn’t triumph over Mark’s cheery disposition, his love of people, his positive attitude, his eagerness to laugh – even at his own stories – or his impeccable memory. Mark held onto these attributes until the very end. That’s who Mark was.
Mark held friendships from his early years living in Barrie with his parents, Bob and Kay (Henry) TarBush and his 2 siblings. Just like Moldex toilet seats, Mark would say, he was born in Barrie and raised everywhere. The family moved to Listowel, Mark excited that his dad would own a store right next to a river, and he dreamed of sailing on it. But the early disappointment in the depth of the Maitland River didn’t stop Mark from returning to this ‘burg’ once he had completed a degree at his beloved Huron College at Western University, and his law degree at the University of Windsor. He established what became a busy law practise in Listowel, now TarBush, Dickey, Giller and Associates, and worked until the day before his surgery.
Mark has shared his splendid life with his wife Pam (Butler-Paget), their sons Alex and Reid, their daughter in law Larissa, his siblings John TarBush and Carla Ritchie, his brother-in-law Peter Ritchie, and five TarBush nieces and nephews.
He will also be missed by Pam’s parents Margaret and Bob Butler, her siblings, Nancy MacAlpine (Colin Zuman), John Butler (Pam), and Tom Butler (Tracy), as well as 4 nieces and nephews.
Mark will be remembered by many others who knew him as Uncle Mark, and a plethora of friends and acquaintances that he gathered along his gregarious life. Heaven has gained another Donald Duck.
A Celebration of Mark’s life and love will be held at Trinity United Church, Listowel on Friday, January 6, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow at the Listowel Golf Club.
Interment in Fairview Cemetery, Listowel.
Memorial donations to Listowel Memorial Hospital Foundation or Huron College at University of Western Ontario, London, would be appreciated.
Online condolences may be left at www.eatonfuneralhome.ca
