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Gilbert Levine Obituary
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31 Entries
July 4, 2010
Dear Helen,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Geoff and I just learned of Gil's passing.
We remember his kindness and advice to both of us when we were unemployed in Ottawa many years ago. He was a caring and considerate man.
Rosemary and Geoff Costanzo (Langley BC)
Robert Czerny
December 28, 2009
Dear Tamara,
I knew your dad only through you, and saw him just once, on stage, at the Pete Seeger celebration this year. That was enough to anchor what the words in all these messages are describing. You -- and so many others -- have lost a wonderful guide, support and friend. Best wishes.
Bob and Kathy Czerny
Nancy Rosenberg
December 10, 2009
Dear Helen, Tamara, Karen and families,
I was so sorry to hear of Gil's passing. He has always been, and will continue to be, an inspiration to me.
I just missed the privilege of working with Gil, coming into CUPE just after he left. But, of course, he never really left, so I feel like I've known him forever. For so many years I chatted with Gil in so many different places - labour events, demonstrations, events in the Jewish community, folk festival...sometimes I would anticipate seeing him and prepare my excuses for letting my Outlook subscription lapse or for not having bought my Canadian Dimension dinner ticket. My excuses were never accepted and hearing all of the reasons why was a privilege in itself.
Gil was always kind to me -interested in what I was doing, supportive of my work, asking about my children. His political passion was never theoretical - he liked and cared about people, was engaged with so many of us in so many different ways. What a mensch. What a loss for our community.
May his memory be a blessing to you and to all of us who will miss him.
Joan Gilroy
December 2, 2009
Dear Helen,
I was so sorry to hear about Gil's death and send my heartfelt condolences to you, Ruthie, Karen and your whole family and circle of friends.
Gil was a lovely man who seemed to enjoy every moment of his full and very rich life. He had a wonderful combination of loving people and social justice at the same time, and having fun while working toward a better world.
I wish I could be there for his memorial. I am keeping you in my heart, and send a big hug.
Love, Joan Gilroy
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Anne Lagace Dowson
November 30, 2009
I am so sorry that Gil is gone-my heart goes out to his family and closest friends.
I was always so pleased to see Gil at events in Ottawa, and the occasional convention-in fact, it was often a relief to see him! He combined wonderful human qualities, with incisive political analysis, a rare combination.
In Karen I see the same kindness and intelligence.
I once had a critical conversation with Gil during a tough period. He listened understandingly, said "Hang in there-don't give up" and gave me a hug.
And that is what I did, and what I send back to those he loved most.
Bob Hatfield
November 28, 2009
Gil was a mentor, a leader and an inspiration to me and many other union activists. I value the time I spent with him and the lessons I learned from him on the Ottawa Mayworks Committee and the Just Labour editorial board, but chiefly, I will miss him as a friend.
November 24, 2009
Levine Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of loss. May your memories bring you comfort.
CUPE
Local 2111
Edmonton, Alberta
Penny Bertrand
November 24, 2009
Dear Helen,Tamara and Karen,
I hope there is some comfort in knowing how many people share your sorrow at losing Gil so suddenly. He was a remarkable guy, a brilliant and tireless strategist, a really funny story teller, an enthusiastic music lover, and a generous mentor and friend to countless of us. Surrounded in his family by such wonderfully talented women of whom he was so proud, both his working life and his retirement years were a wonderful example of a life well lived. It was a privilege to have known him.
Elizabeth Shein
November 24, 2009
Dear Helen, Tamara and Karen,
I have been thinking about you all since I first received Gil's letter to say he was gravely ill. Please accept my deepest sympathy. I can only imagine the grief you are experiencing and the hole that Gil's passing leaves in your lives. He was truly an exceptional person. I recall our last visit with you when Gil asked Mariah to sing something. She sang, "We Rise Again" and we sat there with tears in our eyes. I think it speaks to the legacy that Gil leaves us all:
That as sure as the sunrise
As sure as the sea
As sure as the wind in the trees
We rise again in the faces
of our children
We rise again in the
voices of our song
We rise again in the waves
out on the ocean
And then we rise again
With much love, Elizabeth and Mariah
November 23, 2009
Our condolences to Helen, Ruthie & Karen and family. Although we didn't get to see Gilbert very often, he was always in our hearts.
Rose & Cyndee Grossman
Gayle & David Alper
Bob Thomson and Heather Stevens
November 22, 2009
My memories of Gil are numerous - the CD benefit dinners, some of which Heather helped organize, including his insistence of keeping General Tao's Chicken on the menu; the hootnanies at their home (which Heather and I reminisced about only hours before getting his final letter); a tour of Grenada I helped organize for CUPE members in the early 1980's. Gil, while supportive of the Grenada revolution, had myriad penetrating questions about the subtle politics of the New Jewel Movement, the democratic elements of the revolution, how best to get a decent appreciation of the island in a short visit, who was who in the list of meetings we were arranging, etc., etc. In short, his quiet, thoughtful intellect was brought to bear on everything from food to music to international politics. Morna Ballentyne's advice that our loss "can only be filled by all of us doing what [Gil] did best -- creating opportunities to make a difference, getting people to think and act, connecting people and ideas, and living life to the fullest" is the best tribute I've heard to-date.
Bob
We often think we have more time to do what we want, who we want to talk to, who we want to send a message of support to, and time often slips us by before doing it. This happened when we did not respond in time to Gill's letter last week. My memories of Gill include our labour tennis tournaments; organizating CD benefit dinners when sometimes we thought it would never happen, but they always did; and demonstrations to keep the CBC ours.
To Helen, Tamara and Karen we send our condolences, and our hopes that Gil's many legacies will provide support for you in your sorrow.
Heather
Navin Parekh
November 22, 2009
I first met Gil almost forty five years ago. I was a new immigrant in 1965 and my very first job in Canada was with Local 1000 of CUPE, the Ontario Hydro Employees’ Union. Gil was CUPE’s Research Director. In the following twenty years, we met often at meetings, conventions and other gatherings at which I got to know and learn from him. He pioneered innovative and practical approaches in labour relations. His zeal and curiosity were boundless. And, he never shied away from fighting a just fight. This was brought home to me in 1976 when the Trudeau government imposed wage and price controls and I witnessed Gil’s unwavering passion for the rights of working people. His catalyst role in organizing the campaign against that program was a testament to his values of social justice and equity. I changed my career in the mid-1980s and our paths did not cross until we met at Botanica not too long ago. And, I was fortunate to reconnect with him over lunch a month ago. After all these years, his passion, curiosity and enthusiasm were as palpable as ever. He was a role model and an inspiration.
Candace Rennick
November 22, 2009
Thanks Gil!
Svend Robinson
November 22, 2009
To Gil's family and loved ones, my deepest condolences. Gil was a real inspiration to me for so many years...his wisdom, compassion, courage and socialism were remarkable.
Truly a life well lived...thank you.
Leanne MacMillan
November 21, 2009
I was lucky enough to meet Gil for the 1st time in June at a CUPE research branch "retirement" party. I was even luckier to meet Helen. Electronic "hugs" all the way from Halifax.
Paul Johnston
November 21, 2009
A great man ...
Derek Blackadder
November 21, 2009
My condolences. Gil was, and remains, a tremendous source of inspiration in so many ways.
November 20, 2009
When we read his last message, a week ago, we thought it so sad, so courageous and so thoughtful of his family and friends. He had told us he was planning to come to the Waffle reunion in Toronto on Nov 28. It is hard to believe that everything happened so quickly and he will not be there. We knew him for 40 years and his commitment to the rights of working people was a constant inspiration.
Mel Watkins and Kelly Crichton
November 20, 2009
We wish to express our deepest sympathy to the Family of Gil Levine, especially Tamara and Helen. It was a delight to know him and he will be sorely missed. In our brief social and musical encounters with Gil he made an immediate and strong impression on us – kind, cheerful with a twinkle, committed, gentlemanly, and very, very supportive. It's a great soul that can fit support for our local folk festival and rousing hootenannies in with his very public work for social justice and building trade unions.
Roberta and Alrick Huebener
duncan cameron
November 20, 2009
Gil will be missed. Luckily we have memories of good time and his influence on our lives. For instance, he brought me into contact with the labour movement by getting to me to write up a brief for CUPE on nationalizing the banks. Not everyone in the labour movement liked it, or Gil for that matter. So I became identified with him, which was fine by me, quite an honour actually. We continued to work together, doing a special issue of the Facts on Free Trade. In fact the first meeting of the research and analysis team of the Pro-Canada network was held at CUPE, thanks to Gil. He was part of a small group that wanted to start PINC the People's Issues National Council (guess who came up with the name). Those meeting led to the creation of the Pro-Canada later Action Canada Network. They also influenced my views about what the CCPA should be doing -- activist research -- when I became president.
I was always pleased knowing that I had a better Jewish mother story than he did, and my mother was not Jewish, (though you would not want to have reminded her of that).
Gil organized the labour tennis tournament and I played. It was unlike any other tournament, it was a gas.
At some point Gil apparently retired, but you would have never known it. he still called wanting things done, and to exchange rumours. He was the best of comrades.
Now my one regret, now that he is gone, the next time I get myself in trouble with everybody, who can I call for advise on what to do?
june aston
November 19, 2009
so sorry to read about gils passing .lovely man to play tennis with...we will miss him at DARA ..
Judy Rebick
November 19, 2009
Dear Helen Karen and Tamara
Please accept my deep condolences. I hope you will take comfort in the fact that Gil will live forever not only in your memory but in the memory of hundreds and perhaps thousands of us whom he touched with his work, his warmth and his steadfast commitment to social justice.
Gil was always so kind to me. I will never forget him.
Love Judy
November 18, 2009
Dear Helen _ What a loss. I am so sorry to hear about Gil. I guess no one can live forever, but, with some people, you like to hope. His contribution to social justice, his passion and concern for ordinary people and his curiosity and warmth are his legacy, I guess.
Still, I am so sorry he is no longer with us _ My sincere condolences, Susan Riley
Steven Hick
November 18, 2009
Dear Helen,
My condolences to you and your family. Gil will be missed in the community. May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Dave Abbey
November 18, 2009
I only met Gil a few times.. most recently just a few weeks ago at a synagogue where we heard Israeli and Palestinian people talk about working together to build bridges in that part of the world. I have heard about Gil's social justice passion. He seemed to have always been working for those who are less fortunate. A true activist in so many areas.
May his memory be a blessing for all who knew him
Judy Girard
November 18, 2009
I am very saddened to hear of Gil's passing, the husband of a dear old friend and the father of another one. I hope you can take some comfort in knowing that he spent his life trying to make the world a better place, and for that, I am terribly grateful. I wish the family peace and comfort
Susan Gottheil
November 18, 2009
Helen, Tamara, Karen, Larry, Rachel and Daniel--and the friends, colleagues and extended family/community that are reeling at Gil's loss:
So soon...What can we say? Our hearts ache for you all. Our memories of Gil are clear and numerous--the twinkle in his eyes, his Yiddish-inspired (bad)jokes and puns around holiday times, the poignant stories of his own parents and grandparents around our Pesach tables, his emails urging Len to get in touch with the few progressive Calgary Jews on the Outlook list, the unexpected delivery of wood for our fireplace on Holmwood Ave, his pride in you all and his delight in your many achievements, the extra scoop of Larry's chopped liver he sneaked on his plate, the role model he was to us all for his commitment to social justice and equality, his love of music and fun.
He was the penultimate mensch.
Hugs to you all. We are so sorry we are so far away and can't be with you during this difficult time.
Love,
Susan Gottheil and Len, Paul and Robin Prepas
Adrianna Steele-Card
November 18, 2009
Dear Helen,
Reva just informed me of Gil's passing. I was away and have just returned. I am very sorry for the loss you , your family and the rest of the world is now going through.I am thankful that I was able to reconnect with you both in my adult life. In particular after my grandfather's passing(Bill Walsh) it has been a pleasure to get to know more and more of his friends and co-workers. Bill and Gil represent a group of extraordinary people and their passion is and will be missed. I am honored to have known and been affected by such important and influential people.
Love,
Adrianna Steel-Card
Corina Crawley
November 18, 2009
For a person whom I never had the pleasure to work directly with, Gil sure had an impact on my political vision andsense of the role and purpose of research. His legacy will clearly live on in CUPE Research as well as through Canadian Dimension, Outlook and all the other areas of his life where he had such a powerful, subtle, critical and pleasant influence. Your sadness is shared. Celebration of his extraordinary life is certainly called for.
November 18, 2009
My thoughts are with you during this most difficult of times. Gil was an exceptional person. I wll always treasure our conversations about oral history and the need to record the stories of working people. He was inspiring.
Catherine Louli - Ottawa
November 18, 2009
Helen:
My sympathy to you and your family on the loss of Gil.
I lived next door to you at Botanica and very much enjoyed my little chats with Gil.
Shirley Hamilton
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