Born in Kitchener, Ontario, Markus graduated in 1979 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo. Markus was Chief Engineer for Berg Chilling Systems Inc. in Toronto. He had 14 patents in a wide range of technologies including Jet Engine Testing, Plastic Comminution, Skyscraper Erection and Ice crystal nucleation.
Markus was founder and Chairman of International Black Ribbon Day and Chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Transition to Democracy. He was Chairman of the Central and Eastern European Council (CEEC), executive member of the Estonian World Congress and President of the Estonian Central Council in Canada. Markus was a recipient of the Gold Cross of Merit from the Estonian Community in Canada, the Gold Cross from the Republic of Poland, was named to the Order of the White Star by the Republic of Estonia.
Markus was a member of Vironia fraternity since 1972. Markus has belonged to the boards of the Toronto Estonian House and Meie Elu newspaper.
In March 2022, Markus was one of the 313 Canadians banned from entering Russia as a tit-for-tat measure against Canada banning many supporters of Russian president Vladimir Putin from entering the country.
Markus is survived by wife Eha Hess, two daughters and two sons.
