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David SHENTOW Obituary
On Monday, June 12, 2017, at Bradgate Arms Retirement Residence in Toronto, David Shentow passed away at age 92 with his wife and daughters by his side. Beloved husband of Rose for 67 years, devoted and loving father to Renée and Lorie, grandfather to Michael and Rachel, great-grandfather to Rachel and Chaim's children: Esti, Miri and Momo. David, recipient of the Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, and Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers earlier this year, touched many lives, particularly when telling of his experiences during the Holocaust. Born in Warsaw, Poland and growing up in Antwerp, Belgium with his parents and two younger sisters, David was the sole survivor of his family. He was dedicated to Holocaust education. Always accompanied by Rose, David accepted invitations from schools, universities and organizations to share his testimony, participated in March of the Living four times, and appeared in documentary films about the Holocaust. Passionate about the arts and travel, his zest for life was unmatched. David's generosity, warmth and sense of humour charmed everyone in his presence. At Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel, 2401 Steeles Avenue West (three lights west of Dufferin) for service on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. Interment in the Community Section at Pardes Chaim Cemetery. Shiva at Bradgate Arms, 54 Foxbar Road. Memorial donations may be made to the March of the Living, 416-398-6931 or to the charity of your choice.
30 Entries
Mark Belanger
November 19, 2017
Rose and Family.
I was very saddened to hear of David's passing. I speak often of the stories David shared with us on our school trip with you to Greece in 1986. I have shared his story with my own son's and will remember him always.
Sincere condolences.
Mark Belanger
Alison Sandeman
July 25, 2017
Dear Rose and Family,
I was so saddened to hear of David's death.He gave of his time so freely, and delivered his testimony with such quiet passion, despite the inner turmoil it caused for him every time. He spoke to many groups at Laurentian & Brookfield High Schools and always had a huge impact on our students. I am so glad my own children also had the opportunity to meet him. We have his last delivery on file & it will be shown for many years to come. I promise to continue to share everything I learned from him.
Karen Taylor
July 18, 2017
I was so saddened to discover that Mr. Shentow had passed away. I had the honour of travelling with you to Belgium, France and Italy. Mr. Shentow was sweet and so funny and the things you shared with your students as a couple have stayed with me all my life. My condolences and deep gratitude.
June 22, 2017
Dear Rose and entire Shentow family,
I am deeply saddened at David's passing. I know I echo so many people's description of David as a mensch.
He was and will always be one of my favourite people.
I remember the marital advice that Rose and David would give my husband and me over the years. All of the hugs and love that were shared at Temple Israel.
An educator, an inspiration to everyone he spoke with...but most importantly, David was a husband, father and grandfather and I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you for sharing your David with the world, and showing the rest of us how to make the world a better place.
With much love,
Tonya Pomerantz
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Steven Rubinstein
June 21, 2017
To my "Auntie" Rose and to my cousins Lorie and Renee,
I just found out about the passing of my cousin, David, who was the nephew of my grandfather. I always enjoyed when you traveled to the United States to visit with your extended family. It it is truly a shame that we hadn't seen each other in a long time. You did a lot of good in your lifetime and this work will not be forgotten. You were truly a man of honor. I will miss you.
Gerald Leahy
June 19, 2017
Rose (& family),
Today I heard of the passing of David and I am very saddened for his departure though in parallel I have very warm memories and am very proud to have known the both you, even though it was only for a short time a few years back in Ottawa. Back then, through a request from someone you never heard of before, you and David freely opened up and offered your time to speak to a boys Manotick hockey team, a group who were planning their travels to Europe for sport but also the opportunity to learn and observe history by visiting one of the concentration camps. The impact that David's sharing of part of his life, both horror stories of the past but also about who he was and what he did, had a lasting impact certainly on me, my wife Jacqueline, our son Jeffrey, as well as a number of the other boys and parents. I want to thank you and David again for being such a strong example to others and stepping forward when I'm sure it was often painful to do.
I can't speak to any of the well deserved awards or medals that David may have received over his life, but only about those few times we spent together (and lunches at Kristy's restaurant).... I have both a heavy heart of his passing coupled with a deep sense of gratitude that we crossed paths and got to know each other, if only for a glimpse of time. David was an inspiration as only a few people are and his memory lives on. My thoughts and prayers are with David and you Rose and your family.
Gerald & Jacqueline Leahy (and Jeffrey),
Alyssa Novick
June 16, 2017
Dear Rose and family,
I want to express my sincerest sympathy on the passing of David. He spoke at Ashbury College many times and each time he managed to touch and inspire the students and the faculty. I continue to mention him every year in my history classes. He was such a good man, so warm, gentle and caring. I consider myself lucky to have known him. I am so sorry for your loss.
Carol Ann MacDonell
June 15, 2017
Dear Rose, Please accept my deepest sympathies. Although, I had only seen you and David once in the last many years, I thought of you both often. It's 30 years ago this week that David gave me the best advice. He told me to go ahead and buy my cottage and not worry about the future... that he would be there for me if I needed him. What a remarkably kind man he was. Love, Carol Ann MacDonell
Nima H.
June 15, 2017
To David's dearest - I am profoundly sorry for your loss and I send my sympathies and thoughts to you and yours. I met David when I was eleven years old and still reeling from the death of my own father. Listening to David speak about the horrors of his own experience through this tumultuous journey of life, I was stunned at his bravery, his candidness, and most of all, his dedication to truth and love. Here was a man who had every reason to be jaded, but instead found strength within himself and harnessed the power of it to teach and guide others. After his session with our unruly bunch, I handed him a bouquet of flowers and he pulled me into a hug. I've kept tabs over the years, googling his name every once in a while and I regret that we never had the opportunity to meet again. I doubt he ever knew the effect his words had on a grieving little Muslim girl. May he rest in peace, and may the afterlife treat him well.
June 15, 2017
Rose and family, I too have fond memories of David, his humour and his loving compassion for all. He was a wonderful testimony to survival...not only did he survive but he thrived and left a legacy for us all. It is a terrible personal loss for his family and a loss to every person who he touched with his honest witness and testimony. May we never forget!
Debra Duncan
June 15, 2017
Rose and Family
You should feel blessed to have such an outpouring of admiration and love for your husband and father. David's impact on the lives of others through the message he carried and delivered with such compassion and eloquence can be measured only by the ripples of time as it will be passed on from generation to generation.
He spoke at my school several times and I have past students who still bring David up in conversation. He was kind and good in the purest sense.
Larry Henry
Thousand Islands SS
Brockville, ON
Mark Sutton
June 14, 2017
Dear Rose and family. My deepest, deepest sympathies over the loss of David. He spoke to our school, St. Matthew a couple of times. The students and staff immediately felt connected to David. I never forgot David and his story.
Mary Redmond
June 14, 2017
A lovely man! He will be missed by very many.
Paul Gowans
June 14, 2017
David's speaking engagements at South Carleton H.S touched so many young lives. David inspired my passion for teaching history and I will continue to share his stories in his honour. I will cherish the talks and meals we shared and I will be forever grateful for the friendship we shared
Danielle (Flood) Ritz
June 14, 2017
I had the great pleasure of travelling with Mr. Shentow to Belgium and France in 1984 on a school trip (Mrs. Shentow was our French teacher, and he came as a chaperone and guide). He was a delight to talk to on a one on one basis. During our trip, he took us on a tour of a decommissioned holocaust camp in Belgium, which was a truly enlightening, educational and, at the same time, upsetting experience that I will never forget. Thank you, Mr. Shentow.
Don Duncan
June 14, 2017
Rose, Renée, Laurie and family - I'm saddened to hear of David's passing. I have fond memories of David as a friend, travel companion, a gracious and generous host, and a wonderful person whose life should be an inspiration to all.
Karen DiRienzo
June 14, 2017
My deepest sympathies. I remember him fondly from the years of being a client. RIP Mr. Shentow.
Marianna McVey
June 14, 2017
My sympathy is expressed to Rose and family at this very, very difficult time.
Jeffry Morgan
June 14, 2017
Rose and Family. I have never forgotten the precious moments and conversations we shared. That he shared his life story touched all who heard it profoundly. He was a difference maker in life and a genuine hero. He has, at last, has found the gift of Peace. And Bless you Rose. You were always, and remain, a pillar of strength for him to find respite and true love to build on. Love you both.
Debra Blanchette (St. Jean)
June 14, 2017
To Rose and the entire Shentow family. I was extremely saddened to hear of David's passing. David was my parents' (Mona and Bob St. Jean), landlord, but the relationship quickly blossomed into a lifelong friendship. David and Rose shared many special times with my parents at the house and at our cottage, where David loved to take walks, enjoy Mom's baking and tell us stories of not only the Holocaust, but especially of his family his life in
Canada. David was a gentle, honest and loving soul who took a genuine interest in everyone that he met. He will be missed by the St. Jean family. May he rest in peace and may the wonderful memories of the years that you shared with him comfort you and help to lessen your grief.
Graham Mayes
June 14, 2017
Rose, Lorie, Renee, and grandchildren. Valerie and I are deeply saddened to hear of our dead friend David's passing. Our condolences to all of you. I so miss our times together, David's enthusiasm for life and the outspoken pride he showed for his adopted country of Canada. He taught me so much about life and inspired me to serve as a proud VP and Governor for the Canada Israel Chamber of Commerce. Our duty to his legacy will be to ensure his experiences and messages are preserved. Rest in Peace dear David.
Daniel Lacroix
June 14, 2017
To Madame Shentow and Family,
Please accept our sincerest condolences on the passing of your David. My mother was your neighbor on Bayswater and you later on taught me the foundations of French in high school, which paved the way to the future as you would have hoped. You spoke often of your soul mate, David. I only wish I could have met him.
Daniel and Dawna Lacroix, and Family (Patricia and Rene)
Mark and Nancy Scharfe
June 14, 2017
To the Shentow family, We are thinking of you at this very difficult time. Although I did not know David personally, please accept our gratitude for his efforts! RIP Mr Shentow
Mildred and Raymond Barrett
June 13, 2017
Rose and Family,
Sorry to hear David has left us. He will always be in our hearts.
We had the pleasure and blessing to have worked with David while we lived in Ottawa. David made us feel like family and our children ,Brenda and Keith remember him for his kindness .
Our love to you Rose and Family
Mildred and Raymond Barrett
Elly and Paddy
Elly Bollegraaf
June 13, 2017
I am deeply grieved by David's passing. My husband and I considered him a close and dear friend. Though I did not experience concentration camp horrors, we shared our common "low land" Holocaust background (I from The Netherlands, David from Belgium). We will always remember him as a very gentle man, a self-made man, devoted to his family, his remarkable tenacity to let the world know what the Nazis had done to him and his family, and his close relationship to wife Rose who adored him, and his two daughters who were so close to his heart, while he could never get out of his mind the loss of his two sisters, mother and father, who he lost as a result of The Holocaust. He was a very remarkable man.
June 13, 2017
I'm so sorry to hear of David's passing. I feel so privileged to have gone on 2 March of the Livings with him.
Love to Rose and the family
Diana Kalef
Calgary Jewish Federation
March of the Living 2008/2010
Ilona and Vic Buxton
June 13, 2017
Rose and family, Vic and I are saddened at this news of Dave's passing. Dave was an inspiration to so many with his courage, dedication and time to educate people...especially the young, bringing to their attention the horrors of the Holocaust. Rose, we thank you and Dave for being friends with my parents, Robert and Agi de Hartog for so many years before they both passed on in 1994 and 2011. Vic and I were delighted and honoured to be invited to one of your lunches where we had a chance to talk to you and to, Dave. We miss the emails back and forth between each other, Rose. Vic and I are glad that we got to know Dave through my parents and upon our brief encounters but we followed his incredible story of his survival. Rose, take care and we both hope that sometime we will see you once again.
Ilona and Vic Buxton
Susan Stone (Price)
June 13, 2017
Dear Renee: My condolences to you and all your (expanded) family. Your Dad was the first holocaust survivor I met and his zest for life always impressed me, as did the obvious devotion your parents had for each other and you girls. Please accept my deepest sympathy on your loss.
June 13, 2017
To all the Shentow's -we are so sorry to hear of David's passing - he was such a wonderful person- a gutene neshama and a real mensch - he will be sorely missed- Mark Klyman and Lauri Gray
June 13, 2017
It is indeed sad to hear about Dave. For decades, Dave and indeed Rose have been dear friends of the de Hartog ( Robert and Agi) family. Many meetings over coffee which Dave loved to partake in will forever be remembered. As descendants of Holocaust victims and survivors, our friendship had much meaning.
Robert de Hartog (Jr)
Ottawa
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2401 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto, ON M3J 2P1
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