IVARS (EAVE) ANDREJIS LIDUMS

LIDUMS, IVARS (EAVE) ANDREJIS - September 24, 1942, to August 23, 2021. Ivars, or papa as he was better known, passed away after months of failing health related to dementia and myelofibrosis. He died peacefully within his home in Barrie, Ontario and was surrounded with the love and support of his “Chippees”, right to the last breath.   Papa was 78 years old and it was his time to be released from the pain and suffering from his diseases from which he had fought too long.

Ivars leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Signe. He was a loving father of Tija (Ian) and Alishia (Chris). An extremely proud grandfather of Eve and Kaija.  Brother of Irma Benner (Colin) and brother-in-law to Silvi Aug (Ants) and the late Peter Sepp (Irene). He held a special place in the hearts of his goddaughter Shelly Saksons and godson Corey Macfadyen.  He is further survived by countless nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Ivars was born to the late Alfred Lidums and Alma Anna (Kerchofs) on September 24, 1942, in Liepāja, Latvia. After a tumultuous start to life while surviving the hardships of WWII, including surviving bombing attacks, being lost from his family, and being raised in an orphanage in Poland to living in a “DP Camp”, the Lidums family finally moved to Canada in the early 1950s to start a better life for their young family.

During his youth, Ivars played many sports but music was his number one love. Dad was a talented musician and songwriter, finding success in the mid to late 1960s with the Liverpool Set and later, Night Shift. We have many fond memories of throwing back a pint (or two) and listening to dad playing his guitar, harmonica and hearing him sing to us around a fire in the backyard. We never tired of hearing the old Road Tour stories of having Bob Dylan check out their show to working with Chuck Berry, Patty Page or Bob Hope.   We have no doubt in our minds that papa is rocking it out right now with his “mop-haired” bandmates Leo, Lach, and Scotty somewhere in the sky.

After finally convincing the love of his life to marry him in 1968, mom and dad settled down to have a family and raise us kids. Growing up in dad's household was never dull. Dad lovingly assembled doll furniture, built us forts and we had many camping adventures under the stars in the backyard. During our formative years, dad made sure that our moral fibers were enriched by both Archie Bunker, Benny Hill, and the Three Stooges. That may explain our warped sense of humour to this day.

Papa was known for his wicked (and sometimes inappropriate) sense of humour.  He would light up a room when he walked in, cracking jokes and putting people at ease. He was also a generous soul, which resulted in him having a wide group of friends from all walks of life. The countless stories and memories people are reaching out to us with at this time just go to show how loved he was in his community far and wide.

Dad was a lover of animals. He never met a dog or cat he didn't like. His inability to walk past stray animals resulted in over 13 pets from the time us kids were born to today. I’m sure all of his fur babies are showering him with kisses up in Heaven.

After he retired from the construction industry, the timing was right for Papa to turn into a live-in nanny.  Dad had a renewed sense of self when his grandbabies came into the world.   He relished the time he got to spend with Evie and Kaija. His “chippees” will forever miss his love, kisses, and “awesome hugs”.

Although the last few years have been difficult, Papa is leaving us with the great memories of laughter and love that he brought to all his family and friends.  He was the master crepe maker. The #1 kapoosta taste tester. The red wine connoisseur. The writer. The performer. The comic. The animal lover. And most importantly, the family man.

In memory of Ivars, please do something kind for someone: buy a coffee (or a pint), plant a tree, or make a donation to the local humane society. Whatever has meaning to you and can be done with thoughts of dad.

As per dad's wishes, a private cremation with no service will take place. In true dad fashion, a rocking celebration of life with family and friends will be planned for August 2022, when we can all be together to reminisce and celebrate the great man he was. Everybody has an Ivars story and we can’t wait to hear them all.