NATHAN HECHT GILBERT

(January 1952 – September 1, 2025). Nathan was born in Montreal to Arnold Gilbert and Esther Hecht Gilbert. As a teen, he was an unlikely combination as Canada's representative at the International Bible Competition in NYC and a linebacker on his high school football team. As an adult, his life was equally singular. For over 30 years, Nathan was the Executive Director of the Laidlaw Foundation, overseeing its transformation from a small family foundation to a major champion of environmental justice, community arts, and youth advocacy. He was a prolific board member, patron of the arts, and volunteer, supporting Inter Pares, Out of the Cold, the Toronto Board of Health, Jewish Family and Child Services, and the Toronto Community Foundation, among others. Nathan died on Monday, September 1, 2025, at the age of 73. He will be mourned by his family: his wife of 33 years, Myrna Brown; his sisters, Marcia (Shalom) and Roz (Pat); his children, Amy, Annie, Joshua (Erica), and Jonathan (Saima); and his grandchildren, Devin, Grace, and Mirah. Nathan was a dedicated parent to seven children, and a foster parent to Oren, Tracey, and many others. He was predeceased by baby boy (1976), Rachel (1984), and Alyssa (2023). He will be remembered as a chocolate cake-eating legend, a chicken dance innovator, and a man for whom Jewishness was synonymous with a fierce commitment to social justice and the liberation of all peoples. Funeral will be held at Benjamin's Memorial Park Chapel, 2401 Steeles Ave. W., at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3. It will be livestreamed for those attending virtually. Shiva will be held at 31 Northcliffe Blvd. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and will continue at 70 Montclair Ave. #504 on Sunday and Monday. Visits from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Services at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Nathan's memory to Inter Pares, at interpares.ca or 1-866-563-4801.