ISRAEL ASPER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ISRAEL ASPER On the morning of October 7, 2003, Israel Asper passed away at the age of 71. He leaves his wife of 47 years, Babs, their three children, David, Gail, Leonard, their spouses Ruth, Mike and Susan, and eight wonderful grandchildren, Daniel, Rebecca, Max, Stephen, Jonathan, Sarah, Olivia and Matthew. He is also survived by his brother Aubrey (Linda) and his sister Hettie Lofchy (Dr. Norman). He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Leanne. "At the end of the day, you have to have mattered. You have to ask yourself did you make the world a better place than it was when you entered it, or did you just take up space?" These were the words by which Israel lived. His family, along with so many people he touched, mourn the passing of a man who was a unique, dynamic, brilliant and above all, generous human being. From the day he was born in Minnedosa, Manitoba, on August 11, 1932, Israel reached for the stars, excelling at whatever he did. He was a leader, someone to whom people always turned for advice or when things needed to get done. The breadth of his creative intellect first manifested itself during his years at the University of Manitoba, where he was involved in and excelled at a wide variety of activities ranging from championship debating, writing for and editing the student newspaper, participating in student parliament, and directing the annual student variety show, Varsity Varieties. In 1956 he married Babs, who became his partner in his life adventures. After graduating from the University of Manitoba Law School (from which he later obtained his Master of Laws in 1964), he went on to become Canadas foremost tax lawyer, writing a nationally syndicated column for over five years. He then decided to enter public service, becoming Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party from 1970 to 1975. His next career was as a businessman and entrepreneur, turning a small investment in CKND TV Winnipeg into a multi-billion dollar media empire. Most important to Israel was his much anticipated "fourth career" which he launched in 1997, when he resigned as CEO of CanWest to become Executive Chairman so he could focus on doing what gave him the most satisfaction: giving back to his community, or as he put it, "paying his debts". He always said that in return for society giving him an opportunity to succeed, he felt he owed something back. His beloved Asper Foundation, which he created in 1983, is the vehicle through which his philanthropy has been and will be carried out. That is what he did. But who was he? Everything he did, or attempted to do, was world class. And of course, there was nothing that could not be done in the mind of Israel Asper. He dreamed, he led, he fought the necessary battles, and as a result, he accomplished whatever he set out to do. He was the true Renaissance Man. His love of jazz is legendary. He was keenly interested in the affairs of his city, province and nation, and he contributed to life in his community by involving himself in public policy-making and by his philanthropy. His friends and colleagues watched with admiration and awe as he worked tirelessly to achieve his dream of a Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, to commemorate the victims of abuse and to teach people the importance of standing up for the protection of human rights. This $270 million project is his last and greatest. His family is dedicated and committed to making his dream a reality. No reminiscence would be complete without underlining his commitment to the State of Israel and the Jewish people. Those who knew him will always remember his clarity of thought, his lightning quick wit and his brilliant debating skills. He saw around corners, knew how to prepare in advance for every eventuality, and always introduced a new angle with every discussion. Israel was a great raconteur, he was charismatic, charming, a bon vivant, an entertainer and a man of great humour. He lived long enough to instill his values into his family, who now carry forward his love of Winnipeg, the State of Israel, the arts and his fellow human beings. To his wife, children, grandchildren, brother, sister, nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues, he lived a hundred lives, touched thousands of people, will never be forgotten because there has never been anyone like him. "So many men seem destined to settle for something small, But I wont rest until I know Ill have it all. So dont ask where Im going, Just listen when Im gone, And far away youll hear me singing softly to the dawn" (from the Broadway musical "Pippin") Those wishing to honour Israels memory may do so by helping to fulfill his dream of building the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Donations may be sent to The Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, 15th floor, 201 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3K6, telephone 204-989-5522, Heather Mowatt or Carolin Rice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 11, 2003