Dear Virginia,

Please accept my deep condolence for your loss from my heart. Oktay is my teacher and mentor. His father's-like tone walks through my citizenship time and challenge journey of 13 years since I came to this land. I have been blessed to have him as a trust worthy friend. His best words to me always as a candle, you loss nothing by lighten the other one. Many loves to you and still, to him. Take care yourself. 

Nathalie

Dear Ginny I am very sorry to hear of your lost and ours too.One of my best friends which I ever had. Thinking of you.
Jim & Joan Palermo

Dear Virginia,
I was so sorry to hear of Oktay's death. I enjoyed seeing him at the gym. He was a kind and gentle soul.
Thinking of you, Charlotte Stewart

Dear Virginia,
You have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your cherished husband and for your grief during his long decline.
Best wishes,
Cary Kinsley

Dear Ginny, I feel very privileged to have known Oktay and to have spent a few treasured memories with you both.
His zest for life with a sparkle in his eyes and warmth for his fellow man was inspiring.   Our sincere condolences to you and your family from our family.
  We would be honoured to attend a Memorial in the New Year.

Dear Ginny,
Pat and I will miss Oktay very much, the long card games, his laugh, his debates with you on every subject and his many stories about the Turkish Army (three bullets) and lessons learned from his father (sometimes harshly). I know somewhat how you must feel having lost Ann many years ago and the sorrow that life holds for events like these. We are both very sorry we could not attend the service in Lincoln. Love Dick and Pat

Dear, dear Ginny,
What can one say—what a terrible loss for you. Your Oktay was a sweet man, the kindest and the most charming. Humorous, too, of course, and much more, as Victor has eloquently written. 
I treasure memories of the times we saw Oktay on his all too rare trips to his hometown, where we were still hoping he would come once more. We loved hearing him recount how you two had first met, all those years ago. And I have a particularly strong image of Burns Night, 2003, was it?, chez vous, going off to buy the haggises/haggi?, and then celebrating our national bard with fitting raucousness. I always thought it marvellous that Oktay would take you/go with you to conferences, and the one time I happened to be at a US conference, there he was, cheering up the academic atmosphere no end. Probably with that scotch Victor mentions in hand. In recent years, every so often, out of the blue, a long snailmail would reach me, full of all sorts of news and thoughts on life in general. I felt bad that I was always delinquent about replying, but think we were even in the end. 
A life well lived for sure. And it was clear that Oktay adored you; the deep bonds of your coupledom were always evident.
I write these lines with great sadness. We were lucky to have known your man. He was one in a million, and we send our heartfelt condolences.
Nur içinde yatsin.
Caroline and Andy Finkel

Dear Ginny,
Oktay was always great company, with his great sense of fun and humor. We could talk seriously or joke about many things under the sun—from football to growing up in Kadiköy to Ottoman history to Turkish politics to the nuances of working for/riding the TTC to the joys of living in Hamilton. And when the occasion called for it he could drink most of us under the table, especially when it came to scotch...yet the next morning be as fresh as a daisy. A great personage who leaves a vacuum behind and I can only imagine what an emptiness you must feel. But let us be thankful for his full and good life with us and of above all with you. May he rest in peace as we remember him with fondness and respect,
Victor (and Halyna) Ostapchuk

Dear Dr Aksan,

I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Aksan at Guelph earlier this year during the seminar we attended together. I am very grieved to hear of his passing away. May God grant you the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. My deepest condolences.
Ali Rashdi,
MA Student, NMC, UofT

Dear Virginia,

I never had the opportunity to meet Oktay, but I feel I've witnessed the commitment and compassion you shared together through the Aksan student fellowship. Thank you so much. My heartfelt condolences during this very difficult time.

Dear Virginia,
I met Oktay so long ago and appreciated his kindness and good nature from the beginning. You were a wonderful couple and I am very sorry for your loss. Rivanne Sandler

Dear Virginia,

I was so sorry to hear about Oktay's passing. You were an inseparable couple, and it will no doubt be a difficult transition for you. May his memory always remain fresh. Your colleague, Maria Subtelny

I am so sorry to hear the sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Very saddened to hear this Virgina. My condolences.

Dear Ginny,

Oktay has given us many happy memories. May these nourish you in the days ahead.  -- Jim, Sabah & Kamal

Dear Virginia, 
I am so sorry to hear the sad news of the passing of Oktay.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Allah yirhamu.  

yours walid saleh

Dear Ginny,

We are thinking of you now and in the coming days and weeks, and we cherish Oktay's memory.

With love,
Gabor and Kay Agoston

Dear Virginia,

Peter and I were very sorry to hear about Oktay's death, and you are very much in our thoughts this weekend.

Michele George & Peter Widdicombe

OBITUARY

Oktay Aksan

December 31, 1934 – November 13, 2013

Marlatt Funeral Home, Swackhamer Chapel

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