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Honourees
Community Service Honourary Fellowship / Récipiendaires honoraires d'une bourse pour services à la communauté
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Anthony & Alexia Calvillo Both Anthony and his wife, Alexia, have been personally affected by cancer. Alexia was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2007 and Anthony had surgery to remove a malignancy on his thyroid in the winter of 2010. They are very active in the community and helping cancer patients is a cause close to their heart. Anthony, Alexia, and their two daughters, Athena and Olivia, make their home in Montreal year round. Anthony Calvillo, célèbre Alouette de Montréal, trois fois champion de la Coupe Grey, meneur de tous les temps des passes dans la Ligue canadienne de football (LCF) et trois fois récipiendaire du trophée du « Joueur le plus Remarquable » de la LCF, jouera sa 19è saison dans la ligue en 2012. Anthony et sa femme Alexia ont tous les deux été personnellement touchés par le cancer. En 2007, Alexia a été diagnostiquée avec le lymphome non hodgkinien et en 2010, Anthony a subi une chirurgie pour déposer une malignité du thyroïde. Ils sont très impliqués dans la communauté et venir en aide aux patients du cancer leur tient à cœur. Anthony, Alexia et leurs deux filles, Athena et Olivia vivent à Montréal à longueur de l’année. |
In Memoriam Honourees / À la mémoire de
The late Judith Amar
(1953-2010)
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Judith Perez Amar née le 26 janvier 1953 a Casablanca (Maroc) deuxième d’une fratrie de huit. Elle a passée une enfance et une adolescence heureuse au sein d’une famille ou les liens étaient tisses très serrés cet environnement familiale a crée chez elle une passion pour la vie, les voyages et surtout un immense amour pour sa famille. À l’âge de dix-huit ans elle se fiança et une année plus tard elle parti en France afin de faire des études de biologie et par la même rejoindre celui qui deviendra son mari pendant trente-quatre ans. Elle épouse a Marseille le 7 juillet 1976 Maurice Amar, la même année ils immigrèrent a Montréal, de cette union naquirent 2 filles qui a leur tour ont établis des liens affectifs exemplaires avec leur mère. Judith a œuvré pendant plusieurs années dans le milieu financier elle était la secrétaire administrative une carrière qu’elle adorait et dont elle était fière. Judith a marqué tous ceux qu’elle a rencontré par son intelligence, sa gentillesse et par son sourire légendaire. Elle a été un pilier, une confidente pour toute sa famille, une mère aimante et une amie pour ses filles, une femme, une sœur, une fille hors de l’ordinaire.
Judith Perez Amar was born on January 26th, 1953 in Casablanca, Morocco. Judith was the eldest daughter of 8 siblings. She was brought up in a very loving and tight-knit family; an incredible upbringing that created her passionate love for life, love of travel and love for her family. Engaged at 18 years old, she went off to University in France to pursue her studies in biology, and it was in France that she joined the person that would become her devoted husband for next 34 years. She was married in Marseille, France on July 7th 1976 to Maurice Amar. It was that same year they immigrated to Canada together. Shortly thereafter they had two beautiful daughters, Stephanie and Sarah, both of whom shared an extraordinary bond with their Mother. As a professional, Judith worked in the financial sector for many years; a career which she loved and took great pride in. All that had an opportunity to know Judith would agree that she was an amazing woman with many remarkable attributes – she was the pillar of her family, a loving daughter, sister, mother, wife and person. She touched so many with her wisdom, kindness and legendary smile.
The late Steven Backler
(1944 - 2001)
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Steven Backler was, in many ways, larger than life. He is remembered by so many for being a man who loved life and who lived it well. What mattered to him most were family, friends, community, sports, and his practice as a chartered accountant. Everything about him was big - his 200 watt smile, booming laugh, hearty appetite, athletic prowess, boundless energy, integrity, magnetic personality, commitment to excellence in everything he did, and his enormous heart. It wasn't necessary to see him to know where he was in a crowd.
To his friends he was Stevie. Unlike most guys, he had loads of friends. He loved chatting on the phone with his buddies and was someone people knew would be listening with a sympathetic ear when they had a problem. His home was a gathering place for friends and family and all were welcomed with open arms. He loved having Esther’s girlfriends in their home and didn’t care if he was the only male in the room. In the words of one friend, Stevie was "the glue that held the whole gang together, the magnet that pulled us all in the same direction. Whether he was, golfing, biking, skiing, or on a mission to Israel, it was Stevie B in the center. His infectious smile and distinctive laugh kept everyone going. Professionally or personally, he made you feel like he was your very best friend."
Steve was an athlete par excellence. He loved his sports and he played them all equally hard - tennis, hockey, mountain biking, golf and most of all skiing. Every winter in the last decade since he has been gone, his ski buddies dedicate a special run to him during their annual ski trip out west. Each year on his birthday, January 19th, another of his special friends from Vancouver skis down Steve’s favorite run and sings “Happy Birthday”.
Steve had a deep commitment to the Jewish Community and he was devoted to Federation, Camp B’nai Brith and everything concerning Israel. Nothing was ever undertaken or done in half measures. He never missed a Camp Friday night dinner and made sure that under his watch, deserving kids would get a quality summer at camp. The missions to Israel were a highlight in his life.
In his professional life he was fully committed to his practice, his partners and his clients. He went the extra mile to get the job done. He loved his work and his partners at Bessner Gallay Kreisman. In addition to being an associate, he was considered a true friend. A very close partner said “I have never met anyone with more energy, enthusiasm or compassion than Steve. If you were his friend, you could do no wrong. He supported you and believed in you no matter what the issue.” He was fair, and sought justice in any situation. He spoke up for what he believed to be right and always stood up for the underdog, regardless of what people thought of him. For this he earned the utmost respect from one and all.
Family was a pillar of Steve’s life. He was very involved with his niece, Susan and nephew, Joey. He loved his little sister Lois and enjoyed heated conversations with his brother-in-law Bernie. His niece Susan was the apple of his eye and his nephew Joey honored his Uncle Stevie by asking him to be his best man at his wedding. He was a son not only to his parents but also devoted to his parents-in-law.
Stevie welcomed every day with enthusiasm and energy. He was always accessible to the people with whom he interacted. In Stevie’s short life he touched many people and accomplished many things. Esther, his family and friends feel very privileged to have shared so much of his life with him. His legacy lives on.
S-Smart, stubborn
T-Tough, talented
E-Engaging
V-Vocal,
E-Entertaining
N-Never forgotten
The late Jeffrey Brull
(1944 – 1994)
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Jeff was born on March 4th 1944 in Montreal. He attended Sir George Williams University where he earned his undergraduate degree. He then went on to Law School at the Université de Montreal where he attained his L.C.B (Law Degree). He then practiced law from 1969 to 1944 at the firm Yanofsky, Brull & Associates, where Jeff was a partner of Arthur Yanofsky for 25 years. Jeff specialized in corporate and commercial law, as well as matrimonial law. Jeff was an excellent lawyer who was very well respected by his peers and his clients. He was very bright, always fair, yet “tough” when necessary.
Jeff was an exceptional athlete excelling in many sports including squash, racquetball, tennis and golf. He was an active member of the M.A.A. (Montreal Athletic Association) and Hillsdale Golf & Country Club. Anyone who had the opportunity of going to “Camp Hiawathes” in the summers will surely remember Jeff (from ages 3yrs onwards) as the athlete and mascot of the camp!
He was married to Phyllis (Wohl) on October 26th 1969. They were married for 25 wonderful years until October 29th 1994. Jeff passed away only a few days after celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in the hospital. Together, they had two children – Dr. Richard Brull, married to Lisa Zimmer, and Stefanie Brull, married to Michael Dorfman. Jeff was a perfect role model to all his family & friends, as a son, son-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, uncle & loyal friend. He was the most caring and loving husband to Phyllis and the most amazing and devoted father to his children, Ricky & Stefanie, the loves of his life!! He would have been so proud of his children’s accomplishments. Ricky became a doctor and his daughter Stefanie followed in his footsteps as a lawyer.
Sadly, he did not have the opportunity to attend his children’s weddings or fulfilling his dream of playing with his three adorable little grandchildren – Jordan, Jacob & Morgan. Unfortunately, at the young age of 48 Jeff was diagnosed with colon cancer. Although he was so brave and fought so hard to live, Jeff lost his battle a year and a half later, on October 29th 1994 at 50 years old. However, Jeff’s presence is always with us, guiding and watching over us as he always did.
Jeff would be very honoured to receive this recognition and very proud of the continued involvement of his family to cancer research, since he was an enthusiastic supporter of the efforts and accomplishments of ICRF.
The late Robert Shadowitz
(1963 –2010)
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Robert was born in Montreal, December 5, 1963 to Diana and Norman Shadowitz. He was the youngest brother to Mitchell and Steven. He studied at Solomon Schechter Academy for elementary school, and later, Centennial Academy followed by Marianopolis for CEGEP. He went on to graduate from Waterloo University with a degree in Bachelor of Sciences specializing in Kinesiology and Sports medicine. He later attended and graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.
Married to Andree Naimer, and father of three sons, Jonathan, Anthony and Lee, family always came first for Robert. Weekends were always an adventure. He would whisk us off in the car with some new terrain to explore or a new activity to try. Robert loved many activities, including snowboarding, waterskiing, biking and fishing. Music was another passion, either jamming with friends or attending concerts and shows.
He was adored by all his patients and the feeling was usually mutual. He befriended many of them. At all times, he could not stand to see anyone in pain, or trouble and never hesitated to help anyone in need. It was not unusual for him to pull the car over, and help an elderly or incapacitated person if he noticed they were having difficulty.
In the fall of 2005, at the age of 41, Robert was diagnosed with Non- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He received numerous protocols of chemotherapy and because of complications, many surgeries as well. At the end of 2006 he received an Autilogous Stem Cell Transplant at the Jewish General Hospital. In March of 2007 a PET scan revealed that he was finally disease free! Robert was just beginning to regain his strength and was enjoying the summer with friends and family, when he developed an abscess on his neck, and upon visiting his doctor was now diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A fighter, like no other, Robert managed to achieve remission again after treatment in September. Now the search was on to find a compatible donor so that he could receive another type of Stem Cell Transplant at the Maisonneuve Rosemount Hospital. A match was miraculously found and the transplant was successfully completed in February 2008. Thanks to that transplant, Robert was able to attend the Bar Mitzvahs of his two younger sons, in 2008 and again in 2009.
Robert enjoyed remission for 16 months. During that time he put a lot of his energy towards raising money for Light the Night, to benefit the Canadian Society for Leukemia and Lymphoma. He developed his culinary skills (after endless days in bed watching the Food Network) and enjoyed preparing feasts for his friends and family. He made the best of every good day, to spend as much time as possible and to share his love with his family.
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