Tulio E. Ramirez

elevated ag6Bm Tulio E. Ramirez peacefully passed away on the morning of October 30, 2006. Beloved husband to Ana, father to Henry, Victoria, Fernando and Carlos and caring grandfather to Martin, James, Lina and Dan. Tulio will be most remembered for his humanity, humility and respect for others. These foundational principles guided him throughout his accomplished life. Tulio was born in the metropolis of Cali, Colombia to a family of modest means but of considerable intellectual curiosity. His father, Tulio Sr., was a distinguished educator and founder of the University del Valle, one of Colombia’s largest and prestigious universities from which Tulio would later graduate with a degree in Architecture.  His brother, Alvaro, was an acclaimed classical music composer and pianist. Post-graduation was a momentous time for Tulio in his personal and professional life. First, he married his sweetheart of several years, Ana, and then started a successful architecture firm with former classmates. Restless to put his knowledge to further use, Tulio began a career at the municipal government of Cali where his vision and leadership skills were immediately recognized. He rose quickly through the ranks to become City Planning Commissioner at a very young age. As Planning Commissioner, he insisted that hard data be the basis for any further city development and instituted an annual population density census as well as establishing a bureau of statistics. Seeking further intellectual growth, Tulio applied for and was awarded a scholarship for post graduate studies at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. With his young family, Tulio moved to the USA in 1964 to begin a new life. Upon graduation with an M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning, Tulio was hired by the City of Hamilton, Ontario in 1966. Once again, his genius was quickly acknowledged and he was rapidly promoted to the position of Deputy Director of City Planning. His main legacy in Hamilton was the redevelopment of the downtown Civic Square area including the construction of Jackson Square shopping centre, Hamilton Place and the new Hamilton Art Gallery during his tenure. In his time at Hamilton City Planning, Tulio was often seconded to conferences and projects outside the city. Most notably, he participated in the United Nations Habitat Conference in Vancouver in 1976 where he met Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and attended a UN conference on development planning in Mexico City in 1977 where he was granted membership in the Inter American Planning Society (IAPS). In the 1978, Tulio left Hamilton city government and, with his wife Ana, established in Toronto a commercial real estate and finance consultancy specializing in hotel development, agriculture and energy projects. His work at the firm, however, is short lived as he decided to return to Colombia with his family in 1980 to be with his ailing father. In Colombia, Tulio returns to public service as a special advisor to the General Manager of ECOMINAS, the Colombian National Mining Corporation, a state-owned company under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Mines and Energy. At the company, Tulio is named Senior Director of Gold Mining operations. His work often took him to the historic gold mining town of Marmato in Caldas Province. Shocked by the poverty and destitute living conditions he witnessed, Tulio quickly embarked on ambitious and extensive feasibility studies for the urban development of the town and surrounding regions. In 1986, Tulio and Ana returned to Toronto and their consultancy work until his retirement. One of his final and most satisfying undertakings brought him together with his youngest son, Carlos, on a number of projects involving the export of Canadian building products and architectural designs for residential housing developments in Japan where his son lives and works. Tulio’s varied and storied career at the upper echelons of public service is emblematic of his desire to contribute in some significant and lasting manner to society. While his career achievements are well recognized by his peers, Tulio will be most remembered for his well-deserved nickname Osito, teddy bear in English, a term of endearment given to him by Ana because of his personal warmth, generosity and kindness. Tulio’s loud, hearty laughter lighting up the room at social events and making all feel comfortable will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace. 

elevated ag6Bm