MEL SHIPMAN 1923-2016

With profound sadness and much gratitude for the wonderful memories he created with his family, friends, and community, we announce the passing on June 9th, 2016 of our beloved father, grandfather, and partner, Mel Shipman. He will be remembered fondly by his four children Joanne, Eric (Nini), Esther (Sean), Lorne, his eight grand children Abby, Talia, Joshua, Noah, Zack, Cassidy, Declan, Alexa and partner Elaine. He was predeceased by his parents Yetta and Sam, and by Shirley, his wife of sixty years.

Mel had a diverse and impactful career as a political activist, businessman, and educator. He graduated in 1946 at the top of his engineering class, and was the first Jewish person elected president of the McGill Engineering Society. He was involved lifelong in humanitarian, social justice causes and was a visionary on educational policy. He was a pioneer in the cable TV industry and was awarded one of the original five cable licences for the Metro Toronto area. In his fifties, Mel returned to university, obtaining a Doctorate in Education, the area to which he devoted the balance of his working career. Amongst many community endeavours he was Chair of the North York Board of Education and Trustee for 12 years, the co-founder of Canadian Friends of Peace Now, United Generations Ontario, and the Life Institute at Ryerson University.

Please join us for a celebration of Mel’s life at 1:30 for 2:00pm (Sharp!), Sunday June 12th, Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto. In lieu of flowers please contribute to a charity of your choice in Mel’s memory.

The Shipman family welcomes friends, family and colleagues to visit with them and to share stories and memories of Mel on the evening of Monday, June 13th, from 5:00-9:00pm in the St. George Lounge, Hazelton Place, 111 Avenue Road. Light refreshments will be served. Parking is available in the underground parking garage at the rear of the building. Further inquiries contact Hazelton Place Reception 416.928.0111.