Eugene Jack Leon KASH

KASH, Eugene Jack Leon,
(May 1, 1912 – March 6, 2004) at Baycrest Hospital. Eugene Kash, a violinist, conductor, and teacher, spent his last peaceful hours with his adoring children Paula Berton, Gina Dineen, Daniel Kash, Linda Kash, Susie Whaley and his baby brother Murray Kash. Beloved father-in- law of Peter Berton, Paul Dineen, Hayley Tyson, Paul O'Sullivan, and Bruce Whaley. We shared stories, laughter, tears, and of course music. Much thanks to the many professionals and volunteer health care workers who saw the family through this bitter sweet time; to Dr. Trachtenberg at Princess Margaret Hospital; the staff of Toronto General Hospital: to the phenomenal support of West Park Rehab Hospital, specifically to Jane Turner; and to Dr. Buchman and the wonderful nurses at Baycrest Palliative Care. Eugene will be sadly missed by his grandchildren Laura, Thomas, David, Joanna, Ryan, Galen, Hayley, Henry, Tyson, Mackenzie, Megan, Dylan, Matilda, Hannah, and Adam, by his loving wife of 20 years Maureen Forrester, by his cousins, nieces, nephews, students of the Royal Conservatory of Music, and by the many, many friends with whom he shared the symphony of his life. It was the sweetest sound there ever was. Eugene Kash has enjoyed a long, colourful career as a violinist, conductor, teacher and broadcaster. He began his violin studies in Toronto with Luigi von Kunits at age five. He continued his studies with a scholarship at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, and in Europe with Otakr Sevcik in Czechoslovakia and Bronislaw Hubermann at the Vienna State Academy of Music. Returning to Canada, he performed as soloist, and in CBC orchestras and the Toronto Symphony. He served as Music Director of the National Film Board from 1942 to 1950, and concertmaster of the Promenade Symphony in 1942. He conducted the Ottawa Philharmonic from 1950 to 1957, the Hartford (Connecticut) State Symphony 1961-63, the Montreal Symphony Children's Concerts in 1964- 65, the Etobicoke Philharmonic from 1975 to 1985, and the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra in 1963, and appeared at the Casals Festivals in Puerto Rico from 1962 to 1975. He was heard in sonata recitals with pianist John Newmark on the CBC's Musicscope in the mid- 1960's, and his popular award-winning CBC Television series 'The Magic of Music'. He also appeared with the BBC in London and ORTF in Paris. From 1967 to 1971, he taught at the Music Academy in Philadelphia. Returning to Toronto, he taught at York University in 1973. Since 1974, he has continued to teach violin, chamber music and conducting at the Royal Conservatory of Music, sharing his enthusiastic love of music with students of all ages. He is the recipient of the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal for outstanding leadership in the field of music, and the City of Toronto Award of Merit. At Holy Blossom Temple, 1950 Bathurst Street (Bathurst south of Eglinton), for service on Monday, March 8, 2004 at 2:30 p.m. Interment Holy Blossom section of Pardes Shalom Cemetery. Shiva 184 Colin Avenue. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the West Park Rehab Hospital 416-243-3698 or to Baycrest Hospital, 416-785-2875.