William "Corky" John Tokar

William “Corky” Tokar was a man who lived life at full volume—even when the volume was turned way down for everyone else. Full of stories (the kind that could outlast a long dinner), a wicked sense of humor, and an artist’s eye that never dimmed, Corky refused to let deafness slow him down or silence his spirit. Shy? Not even close. He loved people, loved art, loved a good project, and loved proving that age is just a suggestion. More active than most folks half his age, he lived strictly by his own rules while quietly taking care of his family, friends, neighbors, and anyone lucky enough to cross his path.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Corky moved to Chicago at a young age, a city that would become the backdrop for much of his life and career. He took enormous pride in his work and never tired of talking about it—often with a twinkle in his eye and a story ready to launch. Despite being deaf, he graduated proudly from DePaul University as an art major, without a sign language interpreter but with plenty of support from teachers and classmates who clearly recognized talent when they saw it. He blended creativity with craftsmanship throughout his career, retiring from the City of Chicago only to prove retirement was more of a suggestion than a rule. At 60, he was still working as a graphic artist for the water district—because apparently passion doesn’t punch a clock or come with an expiration date.

In 1987, Corky married the love of his life, Beatrice, and together they built a marriage rooted in deep love, hard work, and the kind of shared purpose that makes everything better. After retiring in 1999, they moved to Florida, where Corky immediately turned his energy to the things that lit him up: hands-on projects, landscaping, and coaxing beauty out of the soil like it was his personal mission. He had a special love for flowers and nurturing gardens, and during the holidays he became a one-man ornament factory, crafting wooden Christmas treasures he handed out generously to friends, family, and neighbors. (If you ever received one, you probably still have it—because who could part with something made by Corky?)

He was the ultimate neighbor: the guy whose endless projects meant the whole block showed up to help, lend a tool, or just enjoy the show. And the stories—oh, the stories. Corky could talk your ear off in the best possible way, always with humor, always connecting, always leaving you laughing or thinking or both. To his three grandchildren—Adam, Isabelle, and Andrew—he was simply “Pops,” a name he wore like a badge of honor and cherished with every fiber of his being.

Corky was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Beatrice, whom he loved beyond words, and by his parents, William and Josephine Tokar.

He is survived by his sons, Michael Johnson and Brian (Eleanor) Johnson, and his grandchildren, Adam, Isabelle, and Andrew.

Friends and family will remember William “Corky” Tokar as a man who lived fully, worked passionately, created endlessly, and never met a stranger he couldn’t turn into a friend—or at least a listener for one more story. His legacy lives on in the tales he spun, the projects he finished (and the ones he started with enthusiasm), the gardens he grew, and every life he brightened just by being Corky. He proved that some people don’t just age—they become legends, one laugh, one brushstroke, and one perfectly timed joke at a time.

With love and a smile; Mike, Brian and the family.