by Tom Choy
Vancouver - Filipino-Canadian and Canadian government officials, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, are mourning the passing of Tobias C. Enverga Jr., the first Filipino-Canadian senator who died on Friday.
He was 61. Senator Enverga passed away while in a parliamentary trip to Columbia on the morning of Nov. 16, with his wife, Rosemer, by his side.
Enverga was survived by his wife Rosemer and daughters Rystle, Reeza and Rocel.
In giving tribute to Enverga, Trudeau said that “Senator Enverga served Canadians long before his appointment to the Senate in 2012, and was the first Filipino-Canadian elected to public office in the City of Toronto,” Trudeau said. “As a senator, he continued to actively promote the values of multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusiveness. He was well-respected by colleagues in both Houses of Parliament.”
Tomas Avendaño, fondly called Tatay Tom, the President and CEO of the MHHS. also expressed deep sadness on learning of the senator’s passing.
Avendano described Enverga was a dedicated public servant whose legacy will always be remembered and a “friend to so many across Canada.”
“I am shocked and saddened to lose SenatorTobias tonight. He was a true public servant. Canada lost a hero tonight.,” Avendano said in a statement.
“Senator Enverga’s commitment to his community, his country, and to Canada’s diversity and pluralism will be deeply missed by his many friends and colleagues in the Senate and in the Conservative family,” he added.
Senator Enverga was awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, and recognized by the President of the Philippines with the ‘Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino’ presidential award in 2008.
Enverga was born in the Philippines on Dec. 2, 1955. Before his appointment to the Senate of Canada on Sept. 6, 2012 by then Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Enverga was a school trustee on the Toronto Catholic District School Board and served as a project manager at the Bank of Montreal for more than 30 years.
Information regarding his funeral or memorial service arrangements will be announced later, his office said in a statement.
