ANNE’S VARIETY OWNER SANG PARK WAS MAINSTAY OF DOWNTOWN SINCE 1986 AT STORE NAMED AFTER DAUGHTERS
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
GRAVENHURST — Anne’s Variety is one of the last little main street shops where customers pop in and out to pick up lottery tickets, drinks and smokes.
In good weather a few people pulled up a chair out front and sit, while others stopped on their scooters to chat, pass the time and say hello to passers-by.
Nothing fancy — just a plain homespun community gathering spot and for others in a hurry an easy stop and go to check lotto results.
Inside, behind the big front windows papered over by large wilted video posters, was Sang Park and his wife Maria, who sat just inside the door at the counter ringing up small odds and ends they sold that lined three now sparsely filled aisles with a handful of goods tucked at the back.
The South Korean couple — known to customers simply by their first names — have been mainstays on the main street since opening their busy business in May of 1986 — and naming it after their daughters Dianne and Joanne.
But not for long now.
Wednesday, Feb. 12, the store was closed as Sang passed away that afternoon in South Muskoka Memorial Hospital.
He was 64 and would have turned 65 in October, Maria said Saturday still standing at the till selling and accepting condolences from a steady stream customers this week since remaining open.
Just as she’s done for almost 40 years.
“My husband’s gone, it’s time to sell.”
Sang passed away after entering hospital Jan. 6 when he was diagnosed with late stage oesophagus cancer, which “quickly spread,” said his wife of 43 years.
Born in Pohang, on the Sea of Japan south east of Seoul, Sang immigrated alone to Canada in 1973, after his parents died, to join his older brother who had previously moved here. A younger brother, Tony Park who lives in Angus and arrived after, will be at this week’s funeral Maria said.
Sang and Maria met in Barrie and married in 1982.
And after moving north to Gravenhurst successfully ran their business and raised three children along with their and cherished grand-daughter Sophie.
They are also good friends of the Gull Lake Variety owners.
But unlike the Lees who took up selling beer this year, the Parks didn’t take up the offer by the province only relying on a variety of corner store items.
Sang was a nice unassuming businessman who “liked to work,” said Maria 67, and was also a member of the BIA and chamber of commerce.
But he became frustrated a couple of times in recent years when their store was vandalized by thieves multiple times in a short span.
When he wasn’t working long hours, seven days and week, and living above their store, Sang “loved to golf.”
And especially spend time with grand-daughter, Sophie, with whom he shared many special moments spending quality time with her, whether after school or on their treasured shopping trips, said his death notice.
He also found joy in life’s simple pleasures like reading the newspapers dropped off and piled up each morning outside the store’s front door — where early customers would pick up a paper and pay for it by leaving coins on top of the bundles. He also enjoyed fixing and repairing things with skill and care.
Sang is survived by his wife and by daughter Dianne Park-Thach (wife of the late Dap Thach) and son Jonathan. He was predeceased by his teenage daughter Joanne in 2000.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church this Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 1 p.m., with a reception to follow in the church hall.
Interment will take place in the spring at Mickle Memorial Cemetery.
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