In memory of
Joseph "Joe" Goldfinger
October 19, 1942 - November 28, 2025
Joe Goldfinger passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, steady calm, and a gentle, enduring resilience.
He will be lovingly remembered by his daughters Jodi and Corrie (David), and his cherished grandchildren Kay and Hallie. He will be deeply missed by his close friend and companion Joan, his ex-wife and dear friend Eva, and his lifelong best friend Leib and his wife Gloria. He is survived by his sister Fryda, and his brothers Nathan (Marsha) and Morris (Mavash), and their families. Joe was predeceased by the spouses with whom his siblings shared their lives Ron, Phylis, and Helen, his dear friends Brahm and Josh, and by his beloved parents, Max (Majer) and Rachela (née Appel) Goldfinger.
Born in Susza, Azerbaijan, in the midst of the Second World War to Polish parents, Joe grew up in Montreal, studied in Ottawa, and later worked on his family’s dairy farm in Brockville, Ontario before settling in Toronto. He built a meaningful career in real estate, known for his integrity, practicality, and genuine care for people.
Joe had a knack for making things work, whether it was fixing something around the house or finding a way to make others feel at ease. He approached life with patience, wit, and a gentle spirit. He loved music and theatre, a good game of Rummi-Q, and the kind of conversations that left people smiling long after they ended. People were instantly drawn to his positive attitude and effortless charm.
Joe believed that “you get out of life what you put into it,” and he lived by those words every day with curiosity, generosity, and heart. His easygoing nature, optimism, and warmth will continue to ripple through the lives of everyone who knew him.
With his characteristic clarity and calm, Joe made an intentional decision early on to choose a peaceful and dignified end through MAID, knowing that cancer and Alzheimer’s would eventually progress. In time, as his illnesses advanced, he carried out that choice with the same thoughtfulness, courage, and quiet grace that shaped his life, surrounded by family and love.
The family extends a heartfelt thanks to the compassionate staff at Baycrest, whose care and kindness made his final year comfortable and full of dignity.
𝑮𝑰𝑭𝑻𝑺 & 𝑫𝑶𝑵𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to one of the following:
Oraynu Congregation for Humanistic Judaism:
https://www.oraynu.org/donate
or
The Baycrest Foundation:
https://baycrestfoundation.org/send-an-e-card-or-printed-card
Funds can be directed toward the Culture & Arts Fund; e-cards in memory of Joe can be sent to corriegoldfinger@gmail.com).
He will be lovingly remembered by his daughters Jodi and Corrie (David), and his cherished grandchildren Kay and Hallie. He will be deeply missed by his close friend and companion Joan, his ex-wife and dear friend Eva, and his lifelong best friend Leib and his wife Gloria. He is survived by his sister Fryda, and his brothers Nathan (Marsha) and Morris (Mavash), and their families. Joe was predeceased by the spouses with whom his siblings shared their lives Ron, Phylis, and Helen, his dear friends Brahm and Josh, and by his beloved parents, Max (Majer) and Rachela (née Appel) Goldfinger.
Born in Susza, Azerbaijan, in the midst of the Second World War to Polish parents, Joe grew up in Montreal, studied in Ottawa, and later worked on his family’s dairy farm in Brockville, Ontario before settling in Toronto. He built a meaningful career in real estate, known for his integrity, practicality, and genuine care for people.
Joe had a knack for making things work, whether it was fixing something around the house or finding a way to make others feel at ease. He approached life with patience, wit, and a gentle spirit. He loved music and theatre, a good game of Rummi-Q, and the kind of conversations that left people smiling long after they ended. People were instantly drawn to his positive attitude and effortless charm.
Joe believed that “you get out of life what you put into it,” and he lived by those words every day with curiosity, generosity, and heart. His easygoing nature, optimism, and warmth will continue to ripple through the lives of everyone who knew him.
With his characteristic clarity and calm, Joe made an intentional decision early on to choose a peaceful and dignified end through MAID, knowing that cancer and Alzheimer’s would eventually progress. In time, as his illnesses advanced, he carried out that choice with the same thoughtfulness, courage, and quiet grace that shaped his life, surrounded by family and love.
The family extends a heartfelt thanks to the compassionate staff at Baycrest, whose care and kindness made his final year comfortable and full of dignity.
𝑮𝑰𝑭𝑻𝑺 & 𝑫𝑶𝑵𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to one of the following:
Oraynu Congregation for Humanistic Judaism:
https://www.oraynu.org/donate
or
The Baycrest Foundation:
https://baycrestfoundation.org/send-an-e-card-or-printed-card
Funds can be directed toward the Culture & Arts Fund; e-cards in memory of Joe can be sent to corriegoldfinger@gmail.com).
Funeral Details
Show location:
Interment
Elgin Mills Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Centres
1591 Elgin Mills Rd E., Section 2 lot 2294, Richmond Hill, ON, CANADA, L4S 1M9
Get Directions
Thursday, 4 Dec 2025 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Info: The Oraynu section is located in the westernmost part of Section 2, at the northern edge of the cemetery property along Elgin Mills Road East. When you turn into the cemetery from Elgin Mills, turn left and the Oraynu section is immediately next to the entrance. Map:https://www.mountpleasantgroup.com/sites/default/files/documents/key-map-elgin-mills.pdf