Jacob Howard "Jay" SWITZER

SWITZER, Jacob (Jay) Howard, C.M.
July 11, 1956 - January 29, 2018
Jay died peacefully in Toronto on Monday, January 29, 2018 with his family at his side. He had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, a fatal brain cancer, in August 2017. Jay leaves his beloved family: wife Ellen Dubin; sisters Chiara Switzer, Sharon Switzer and Lori Newdick; brother-in-law Joel Dubin and Stacey Huang; mother-in-law Rose Dubin; and step-mother Bryna Park Switzer. He was predeceased by his parents Israel "Sruki" Switzer and Phyllis Switzer, and his father- in-law Dr. Carl Dubin. Jay was raised-with his dear sisters-by two loving parents, who were both legends in the Canadian TV industry. Jay was also exceptionally close to his in-laws and was always there for them. Jay's first introduction to the business came when his mother Phyllis asked her 13-year-old son to attend a CRTC hearing in Trois Rivieres and bring back a report for her regulatory newsletter. When Phyllis co-founded Citytv in September 1972, 16-year-old Jay's first full-time job was on the station's switchboard. This was followed by regular Saturday nights as floor director assembling the boxing ring with his high school classmates on Citytv's live "Fight Night" broadcasts. The pay was $1.50 an hour but he got to clean George Chuvalo's spit cup. After getting his MBA from the University of Western Ontario, Jay returned to Citytv on a full-time basis as Program Manager, the job that was truest to his calling, and one he never really let go of. His passion for great TV and movies was contagious, and led to Citytv, and its offspring MuchMusic, Bravo!, Fashion Television and many other channels, expanding across Canada and around the world. Jay rose through the ranks at CHUM over the years, ultimately being appointed CEO in 2002. Under Jay's leadership CHUM Limited-a publicly traded company with more than 3,200 employees-was one of Canada's leading media companies and content providers. In 2010 Jay co-founded Hollywood Suite, where he served as Chair of the Canadian independent, privately owned broadcasting company. Jay is recognized by his peers as a media business and cultural leader, leading major broadcasting entities, mentoring emerging talent-both individuals and organizations-and advancing the quality and success of the Canadian broadcasting sector. As a mentor to countless independent producers and creators of Canadian works for the screen, Jay is celebrated as a champion of independent Canadian feature film and television production having supported more than 200 projects throughout his career. Jay was an active board member serving organizations including the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, the Banff Television Festival, the National Association of Television Program Executives, and the Toronto Film Board. He served as Chair of the board of GlassBOX Television from 2009-2011, and most recently served on the boards of: OUTtv; Shaftesbury Films Inc.; and Comweb Corporation. He was also a long-time supporter of Ryerson University, serving on the Advisory Board for the Faculty of Radio and Television Arts since 2012. As active as he was in the television business, Jay always found time to pursue his personal passions. Poker nights in Toronto with his lifelong group of friends was a treasured highlight, and he loved organizing regular trips to Las Vegas for friends and family, personally arranging every detail. His favourite way to unwind was taking long drives across the Nevada desert. Jay was a mensch-beloved and respected in both his business and personal life-and a dedicated, loyal, and loving husband, son, brother, and friend to many. Throughout his life, and even in his final days, Jay supported and encouraged others, professionally and personally. He died as he lived, thinking always about others and making a difference in their lives. Jay was devoted to wife Ellen-the love of his life. He was proud of her acting career, offering unwavering support and seeing every show in which she appeared. Their marriage was based on love and devotion. Jay's quiet contributions and commitment to community and country have been recognized with awards including the Friend of Women in Film and Television (Toronto) Award (1994), the Queen's Jubilee Medal (2002), and the Human Relations Award (2005) from the Canadian Centre for Diversity. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in December 2017. Jay's family would like to express gratitude and appreciation for his team of caregivers during his illness, Shirley, Marilyn, Tashana, Fatima and Andrea, as well as the medical teams at the Princess Margaret and Toronto Western Hospitals. A funeral service will take place at Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel, 2401 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Interment Temple Sinai Section of Pardes Shalom Cemetery. Shiva 77 Avenue Road, Toronto. A public Celebration of Life will take place in the spring. Details will be announced at a later date. Donations in Jay's memory may be made to The Canadian Film Centre http://bit.ly/CFCSwitzer or call 416-445-1446, x227 or to The Phyllis Switzer Memorial Fund at Ryerson University http://bit.ly/RyeUniSwizer or call 416-979-5000, x6516.