Michael Robert MARRUS

MICHAEL ROBERT MARRUS It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Robert Marrus on December 23, 2022 at age 81. He leaves behind his wife, Carol 'Randi' Marrus (Greenstein); his children, Jeremy and Adam Marrus, Naomi and Alan Kriss; and his grandchildren, Noah, Aaron and Judah Kriss. He will be mourned by his siblings, Lesley Barsky (and the late Lorne Barsky), Judy and Gerald Slan, as well as his extended family, friends, colleagues, and students. Michael received his BA with honours from University of Toronto, and his MA and PhD from the University of California Berkeley. As Professor of Modern European History, he taught at the University of Toronto for 49 years. He was also a research fellow and taught at St. Antony's College, Oxford, the Israel Institute for Advanced Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, UCLA, and at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He was the inaugural holder of the Chancellor Rose and Ray Wolfe Chair of Holocaust Studies at U of T. For many, his courses were a seminal part of their university experience. Through his teachings, research, and numerous award-winning books and publications, Michael advanced scholarship on the Holocaust, refugees, assimilation, Zionism, and antisemitism. He also published books and essays on numerous topics that interested him, including art, dance, and the rise of leisure in industrial society. He was appointed a member of the International Catholic-Jewish Historical Commission to examine the role of the Vatican during the Holocaust. At the age of 64, Michael inspired many by receiving an MA in law from U of T. Michael was devoted to advancing the eminence of U of T. He served as Dean of Graduate Studies for 7 years, and for 19 years, as a Governor of the institution. Among his numerous honours and awards, he was a proud Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and member of the Order of Canada. Michael was deeply influenced by his parents, Elliott Llyod Marrus, a lawyer, and Lillian Marrus, a fashion designer, homemaker and romantic. He appreciated originality above labels, sartorial style, an interesting home, a buzzy restaurant, a comfortable chair, international travels, a good book, a strong martini, an amusing conversation, and above all he cherished his love and anchor, Randi. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UHN Foundation - Department of Family and Community Medicine. Funeral at Holy Blossom Temple, Tuesday, December 27, 11:30 a.m. Interment at Pardes Shalom Cemetary. Shiva at Massey College 4-6 p.m., followed by 131 Grenadier Road, Toronto. For more information and livestream, see Benjamins Memorial.