Karl Dennis Jaffary1936-2024
Karl Jaffary died at Christie Gardens in Toronto during the night of July 2. He will be greatly missed by his son and daughter, Eric and Nora Jaffary, their spouses, Aeyliya Husain and Edward Osowski, as well as by his three grandchildren, Luc, Adam, and Simon. Karl was pre-deceased by three spouses: Ann Jaffary, Sherrill Cheda, and Doris Dyke. Karl also leaves a legacy to Toronto’s political culture and public life though his contributions as an independent thinker, justice advocate, and all-round badass as a Toronto City councilman and alderman (1968-1974), as Vice-President of the federal New Democratic Party (1969-1973), and as a lawyer practicing as both a sole practitioner and with several firms. In addition to his legal and political legacy, Karl was a long-standing supporter of Toronto’s theatre and film community, which included his work on the board of Theatre Passe Muraille, the Festival of Festivals (now called TIFF), and Toronto Workshop Productions, all of which were inspired by his formative experience producing summer stock theatre with the Straw Hat Players. Karl also had a lifelong love of the Muskoka lakes and its boats and served as President of the Lake of Bays Association from 2001-2003. Funeral services Monday July 8, at the main chapel of Mt Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto; visitation at 3, service at 4. All are welcome. Live streaming will be available through the Mount Pleasant Cemetery website. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Karl’s name to First Book Canada or the National Ballet of Canada.