Anyone who has ever attended the Canadian Produce Marketing Association convention knows that the joy of the Canadian produce trade is its intimacy. The scale of the event is such that you meet everyone and become friends so very quickly. Such intimacy is a double-edged sword when there is a loss of someone too special and too young:
THE CPMA sent out an Obituary and sent along a few special words:
Our Canadian produce industry is like one big family, and we have just lost one of our most kind and cheerful ambassadors. Cory had such a passion for her family, her company, the produce industry and the people in it that make it all happen. She was very dedicated and was constantly getting people to work together, while making sure they also enjoyed the experience. She leaves us with great and fond memories, and we will continue to remember Cory, her incredible smile and her zest for life.
— Dan Dempster
President
Canadian Produce Marketing Association
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The Ontario Produce Marketing Association, where Cory was a past-President, also sent out a notice and some additional thoughts:
Her personal motto was ‘Live, love and laugh’ and she brought that enthusiasm for life to everything she did, both professionally and personally. She always brought that positive, uplifting tone whenever you met, which allowed you to cherish and remember the moments she shared with you.
Her enthusiasm and love for the industry was manifested in the dedication and commitment she had for her work. She did so much for the industry, some of which was hidden from public view and done, unselfishly, on a volunteer basis.
— Ian MacKenzie
Executive Vice President
Ontario Produce Marketing Association
Toronto, Ontario
Her family business, Faye Clack Communication, sent out the details:
Remembering Cory Clack-Streef
On November 8th, 2007, Cory Clack-Streef, President of Faye Clack Communications Inc., passed away peacefully following a valiant two-year battle with breast cancer. She was 46. Cory’s first priority was her commitment to her husband, children and family. She loved being a Mom and was the first one to take charge when arrangements needed to be made for birthdays, holiday celebrations and family reunions.
She was married to Albert Streef and was a partner in Streef Produce Limited, was the past president of the OPMA [Ontario Produce Marketing Association], was an honorary director of the OPMA and was honored with Produce Person of the Year in 2005.
“Cory knew and was intimately connected to every facet of the food industry,” said her sister and business partner, Virginia Clack-Zimm. “Whether it was communicating with the trade or dealing with the complex network of U.S. and Canadian government agencies or the media, her skill and experience benefited each of our clients and their individual objectives. She cultivated the agency’s unique ability to effectively execute meaningful campaigns that garnered results in a communications saturated marketplace, while still inspiring our team.”
“Cory had a really big heart. She took the initiative whenever she saw the need, often before others recognized there was even a problem,” continued Clack-Zimm. “Her fundraising efforts for the victims of the flooding post-Katrina were only one example of many such selfless undertakings. We will all miss her immensely.”
Cory will be dearly missed by her husband Albert Streef and daughters Sadie, Fallon and Jillian, the entire Streef family, her mother Faye Clack and Ewing Rae, her father Bill Clack and Pat Damm, brother Dr. Scott Clack and his wife Kim, and her sister and business partner Virginia Clack-Zimm, Jim Jenkinson and her children Lena and Erich Zimm and the entire Clack Clan.
Visitation will be held at J. Scott Early Funeral Home, 21 James Street, Milton, Ontario, Wednesday November 14th, 2007, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
A celebration of Cory’s life will be held at the Gambrel Barn, Country Heritage Park in Milton, 1:00 p.m. on Thursday November 15th, 2007.
For more information please contact:
Jason Chennette
905-206-0577 x243
jchennette@fayeclack.comDanielle D’Agostino
905-206-0577 x 240
ddagostino@fayeclack.com
The Pundit remembers being introduced to Cory by her mother, Faye Clack, the marketing Grande Dame of the Canadian produce industry. What a difficult moment this must be for her. How in vain seem our condolences.
What can we offer the husband of a 46-year-old woman and her three young daughters?
To Faye, to Cory’s sister and business partner, Virginia, to her husband, her daughters and the rest of the family, we can only say our prayers are with you.
Ian MacKenzie was kind enough to send along the beautiful photo of Cory we run with this article.
Cory had many formal achievements and made many specific contributions to advancing the interests of the trade.
Yet, to her friends, it is that smile and the happiness, the caring, the love it represents that will linger.
In lieu of flowers, the family is establishing a trust fund in memory of Cory. We will publish the details as soon as they are available.
