BRIAN MARTIN BENDER

Of Toronto, passed away peacefully, on February 22, 2025. Brian was born August 31, 1937, to parents, Ida and Harvey Bender. Brian attended Central Tech High School where his love of athletics bloomed. He pursued his natural talent in art at the Ontario College of Art. With a focus on his career, he then studied packaging and design and spent the next 60 years in the corrugated packaging business, starting a company with partners in 1981. Many will remember Brian as a fixture of the YMHA/JCC community centres, where he spent his time as a member, volunteer, and employee, pursuing his prodigious skills as an athlete and fitness instructor. In his early days, the "Y" was the hub of social activity for Brian and where he would eventually meet his wife to be, Marcia Goodman. In 1961, he married Marcia and together they shared 54 beautiful years of marriage. Brian and Marcia had three children, Jordan, Eden, and Jamie. In 1991, Brian overcame a serious illness which limited his choice of physical activity. Golf became his chosen hobby and outlet, and he spent many happy years with friends on the greens. Brian loved borscht belt humour, playing and watching sports of any kind, and taking care of his family. Brian was predeceased by his wife, Marcia; and is survived by his children, Jordan and Simone Bender, Eden Bender and Hans Wontorra, and Jamie Bender; grandchildren, Jake, Sophie, Jonah, Layla, Josh, Harlowe, and Jesse; his brother and sister-in-law, Shelly and Renee Bender; sister-in-law, Elise Goodman; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sharron and Ruben Zweig. Dear brother-in-law of the late Marilyn Price. Services will be held at Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel on Tuesday, February 25th, at 10:00 a.m. Shiva will be held in the reception room at 310 Tweedsmuir Avenue, following the burial until 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Memorial Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca).