Max FUGMAN

FUGMAN, Max
Max Fugman's extraordinary life journey ended on May 14, 2013 at the age of 77. Max died peacefully in the company of Margaret - his adored wife and companion of 40 years - and his family and many friends.
Max will be remembered as the consummate people person who loved others and was loved by all in return. One of Max's enduring legacies will be the innumerable people who are now friends as a result of their relationship with Max. He derived pleasure from helping people from all walks of life and will be remembered as a caring and kind person who had an unassuming and gentle nature.
Max was born to Harry and Sarah Chaya Fugman in 1935, in Nova Miasto, a small town in Poland. His mother died when Max was only two years old and his father married Helen in 1938. Harry and Helen, both passionate Zionists, immigrated to Israel in 1938 with Max and his older brother Mordechai. The family settled in Tel Aviv where Harry carried on his profession as a tailor. Harry and Helen maintained a very active life in Israel committing themselves to the synagogue and community. In 1947, Max's younger brother Jack was born in Israel. Tragically, a year later, Mordechai died heroically defending Israel.
In 1951, Max's Uncle Jack and Aunt Minnie Belzberg sponsored his immigration to Canada where he joined his cousins Helene, Syd, Ed, and Hershey in Lethbridge, Alberta. In 1953 Max moved to Calgary, where he was reunited with his parents and brother Jack upon their arrival from Israel that same year.
At 19, Max moved to Vancouver; his parents and brother followed him arriving a year later. In 1955, Max helped his parents open a tailor shop in Dunbar. Subsequently Max honoured his father by building the Harry Fugman Lubavitch Synagogue.
1956 was a pivotal year for Max; he began his career as a salesman in the clothing business, where his true talents and incredible interpersonal skills were realized. He eventually branched out and opened his own agency that grew into a large diversified company, in many facets of the "schmata" business including as a manufacturer's representative, manufacturing and importing. Max became an icon in this industry. He is also considered a pioneer in the clothing importing business from Asia, particularly with Thailand, which recognized him as Honourary Vice-Consul. Max also received one of the highest awards from the Thai Government for his contribution in promoting trade between Thailand and Canada. Max was inquisitive and willing to take risks and he and Margaret travelled the world many times over in pursuit of the next adventure or business opportunity.
Max lived the quintessential immigrant success story. Not only did Max succeed in business, but he also gave back significantly to the Vancouver Community. He also took on a leadership role in the Jewish Community, contributing his time and energy to a number of organizations. In 2009, Max was recognized by the Jewish National Fund Negev dinner for his many contributions. More recently, he was proud of having received a lifetime achievement award at the 37th Lubavitch Gold Plate dinner, which honoured Max for setting an example on how to live one's life and to make the world a better place. Max certainly did and we, his family and friends, have all learned from his extraordinary example.
Max is survived by his children Michael Fugman (Kathi), Sharon Fugman (David Demers), Susan Fugman (Neil Zokol), Mark Fugman, Laurie Fugman, and their mother Carol Fry and her family. Together with his wife Margaret, he is also survived by their children David (Danya Fox) and Charles. He is also survived by his brother Jack and his mother-in-law Joan Barker. He is the much-loved and proud grandfather of Hailey and Harrison Fugman, Taylor and Sam Sekhon, and Cole Demers, for whom Max was a role model and inspiration.
The twinkle in Max's eye and the love, laughter, and generosity Max had blessed his family and many friends across the world with will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.
The Funeral Service was held on May 17, 2013.
The family has requested donations in Max's memory to either the Max and Margaret Fugman Family Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Vancouver (Suite 200-950 West 41ST Ave., Vancouver B.C. V5Z 2N7. jcfjewishvancouver.com or 604-257-5100) or Chabad Lubavitch of British Columbia (5750 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6M 2V9. 604-266-1313 or www.lubavitchbc.com).