Carl David Warren

Writer, political activist, news aficionado, body builder, intellectual, Carl Warren led a full life and made a big impression on the lives of those he left behind when he passed away on April 29, 2025. As a journalist, Carl published in Saturday Night, Chatelaine, the Globe and Mail, the National Post and others. His lifelong curiosity and interest in people led to his specializing in profile pieces which displayed his characteristic humour and irony. He attended Trent University and U. of T. Politically engaged from a young age, Carl volunteered and campaigned for the NDP and later the Liberal Party, both in North Ontario and Toronto. During his active publishing career, he edited The Varsity, University of Toronto’s student newspaper, while also writing news stories for NOW and eye Magazine. Raised in North Ontario, Carl maintained an active interest in the politics and environmental concerns of the North. He loved to bike and run long distances around his home town of Iroquois Falls, as well as the ravines and trails of Toronto. After a stint as a staff writer for the Cochrane Times-Post, Carl returned to Toronto to pursue a serious body-building ambition, coming in second in a major national competition in 2012. He also focused on charity fund-raising and volunteer work during the latter years of his life. Carl loved to cook, laugh, quote comedians he liked, and travel. He never lost his interest in politics and social justice. He remained committed to a sustainable future and care for the natural environment, and all his life stood against bullies and injustice. As he struggled with mental health issues which impacted his ability to concentrate, write, socialize, hold a job and relationships, to function as his true self, Carl’s last political issue became the right of access to prompt mental health services, the lack of which he experienced time after time in Ontario, and ultimately the right of choice to die humanely in the face of chronic and prolonged mental suffering. After struggling for many years to live with conditions which he could not change, Carl made his own choice, and his friends and family wish him peace on his journey. Carl was predeceased by his beloved adoptive parents Joyce and Bob Warren and his oldest brother Robert. He is survived by his loving biological mother Kathy Murphy and siblings Jon and Elanor (son Primo), Peter and Lucille (son David), Chris, Geoff and Glenna, Andrew and Tracey, and Jennifer Warren (son Bobby), as well as his many friends and colleagues. He led a life of commitment to his beliefs and made stoic and steadfast efforts to overcome severe challenges. We remember him with compassion and gratitude. A life celebration will be held for Carl at The Tranzac, Toronto, 292 Brunswick Avenue, on Sunday, August 16, 2026 from 2 to 6 p.m. If you care to make a donation in Carl’s memory, his favourite charity was The Nature Conservancy of Canada, www.natureconservancy.ca. Please message chris@chriswarren.ca for information on joining the life celebration remotely. His family welcomes any remembrances you would like to leave here.