DAVID MADGER

June 3, 1940 - August 24, 2023

The family of David Michael Magder is sad to inform you of his passing. Funeral will be held at Benjamin’s Park Memorial Chapel on Friday, August 25, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. ET. It will be broadcast on the Benjamin’s website. Shiva will be held at 99 Avenue Rd., with details to be posted on the Benjamin’s site and with hours set for zoom visitations.

David was the son of Rose (Bucovetsky), who imbued in him a love of poetry, and Dr. Harry Magder, who imbued in him a love of sailing and medicine. Born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, he grew up in Montreal and became a devoted Zionist. After an undergraduate degree in English at McGill University, he continued on to graduate from medical school in 1965. While in medical school, he not only made lifelong friends but also met the love of his life, Israeli-born Edna. They wed in 1964. After he completed his training in psychiatry at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital, they spent several years in Israel, where he practiced at the Geha Hospital before returning to Canada. However, his connection to Israel remained lifelong.

His commitment to seeing those he treated as whole human beings brought him to McMaster University, where there was a then-pioneering team-based treatment program. After moving to Toronto, he was a part-time Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, CAMH, a position he held from 1983-2023. He was dedicated to his patients and often challenged established wisdom about disease. When his wife, Edna, received her doctorate in psychology, she joined him in private practice. Additionally, they travelled the world with David, often found behind a camera documenting it all. No matter how far from home, his excellent sense of direction meant he could always find his way.

He loved his children, Ruth (David) and Dan (Maia), and their respective spouses. He took pride in his grandchildren, Oren (Emma), Aliza, Reuven and Ayelet. He was blessed to have a lifelong relationship with his brother, Philip and his wife, Nicole; and their children and grandchildren. He was part of the extensive Magder, Bucovetsky and Weissman clans, with close friends and professional colleagues. His sense of humor, his patience, and his endless curiosity will be missed by all who knew him. He passed at a date of his choosing. We are thankful to the Tammy Latner Centre for Palliative Care and the Home Instead Team for the care and support they provided us during this final journey.

No flowers please. Donations in David’s memory can be made to: The Movement for Quality Government in Israel (https://en.mqg.org.il/), The New Israel Fund of Canada (https://nifcan.org/), The New Israel Fund USA (https://www.nif.org/), The Shalom Hartman of Canada: Support the Shalom Hartman Institute (tfaforms.net), The Shalom Hartman Institute of North America (https://www.hartman.org.il/), or Leket Canada (Israel’s National Food Bank) Email: ray@cfleket.com.