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Israel Asper, O.C., O.M., Q.C., L.L.D., passed away at the age of 71 on October
7, 2003. He was one of Canada’s most colourful personalities and celebrated
entrepreneurs. He also wore many different hats: media mogul, successful
business person, politician, lawyer, musician, a devoted supporter of Israel and one
of the greatest philanthropists in Winnipeg, Canada’s history. Beyond that, he was
brilliant and charming, a loving husband, father and grandfather, and was a rare
visionary.
“Everything is doable,” he said in an interview just before he passed away. “If you are
tenacious enough, you can do whatever you set out to do. Because all you need is
more determination than the guys who are trying to stop you.”
Israel Asper formed CanWest Global Communications Corporation in 1977, which
then became a leading international, diversified media empire spanning three
continents with interests in television, film production, radio, the internet
and newspapers. It was the wealth created by CanWest that allowed him to create
The Asper Foundation.
As a philanthropist, he is an inspiration to all. His underlying philosophy, which he
imparted to his three children from the first day The Asper Foundation was
established in 1983, was for them “to do something useful with [their] lives and
make a difference.” He was imbued with what in Hebrew is referred to as Tikkun
Olam – taking action to repair the world. He was never content to sit back and
watch while a wrong was perpetrated. As daughter Gail relates, “He created the
Canadian Museum for Human Rights so that future generations could be taught that
we all need to stand up for one another and be vigilant in the protection of
each other’s rights.”
In Winnipeg and elsewhere, the arts, universities, hospitals, parks and
disadvantaged have benefitted from his generosity. He did this, said son Leonard in his eulogy to his father, “because he
wanted to set an example for his descendants and for others that you give back
to your community. It was particularly important to him that the future trustees
of The Asper Foundation understand his philosophy of giving and appreciate the
legacy they must uphold.”
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Israel Asper, O.C., O.M., Q.C., L.L.D. (1932-2003) |
