Jack Rabinovitch, Founder of The Giller Prize
August 6, 2017
It is with enormous sadness that the family of Jack Rabinovitch announces his death on August 6, 2017, at Sunnybrook Hospital as a result of injuries suffered in a catastrophic fall at his home a few days ago. He died surrounded by the love and support of his three daughters Noni, Daphna, and Elana, his partner Judy Clarke, his sister Shirley (Edith) and extended family and friends.
Born in Montreal 87 years ago, Jack grew up as one of “St Urbain’s Horsemen”, and often joked that he learned his math skills selling newspapers with his father at the corner of Ontario and St Lawrence streets in Montreal. He graduated from Baron Byng High School and McGill University and became a truly remarkable and successful businessman and developer, working across North America.
After the death of his wife Doris Giller, Jack took on a second career as a philanthropist, founded the Giller Prize, and built an extraordinary network of friends across generations and the many cultures of Canada. He was a key volunteer advisor to the building of the new Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, a project he helped bring in ahead of schedule and under budget. He was an athlete and sports fan, a renowned storyteller, a lover of the arts, a dedicated traveller and dear friend and confidant to countless people who are now bereft but able to celebrate the life and memory of this wonderful man. He was a proud recipient of both the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario.
We are immensely grateful for the many kind words and moving tributes to Jack.
Bob Rae's eulogy for Jack Rabinovitch
Jack Rabinovitch lived life fully, and although we all feel a sense that at 87 his life was still cut short, let us celebrate through the tears.