Gary Lloyd Gottlieb, Q.C.

Gershon Ben Aharon Pinchas Ve Frumah Sarah

Passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10, 2025. Beloved brother of Dr. Heidi Gottlieb. Loving and devoted son of the late Arthur Peter and Frances Sarah Gottlieb. Dedicated lawyer, much admired and respected community member, faithful friend to many and contributor to making world a better place. He will be sadly missed and remembered by all who knew him.

Memorial donations may be made to Jewish National Fund 416-638-7200, Mount Sinai Hospital 416-586-8203, Princess Margaret Hospital (416) 946-6560, Beth Lida Synagogue 416-489-2550 https://www.bethlida.ca/or Charity of your choice

Date of Death: Friday, January 10, 2025

Yahrzeit Day: Tevet 10

Date of Funeral: Sunday, January 12, 2025

Time of Funeral: 11:00 AM

Memorial Service Location: Chapel service at Steeles Memorial Chapel, 350 Steeles Ave. West, Thornhill

Burial Service Location: Mount Sinai Memorial Park, 986 Wilson Ave., Toronto, Beth Lida section

Shiva Details: Immediately after the service and on Monday (4:30 p.m.) friends and family are invited to Beth Lida Synagogue, 22 Gilgorm Road, Toronto, Ontario. The rest of the Shiva will be observed privately.

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Posted on 11.01.2025 - 11:14 PM

Cheryl Kupfer

Gary was the epitome of a gentleman and a scholar. He was a man of integrity, never hesitating to express and defend his beliefs and opinions. No doubt he will be a staunch advocate for the Jewish nation he loved in the Heavenly Court. It was an honour to be his friend. Cheryl Kupfer

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Posted on 11.01.2025 - 11:52 PM

Alf Kwinter

Dear Heidi We are away and I just heard about Gary’s passing. I want to extend my heartfelt condolences. Gary was a great guy and as a long time Bencher he represented the small firms and sole practitioners whose voices so often needed to be heard. May your memories offer you some comfort at this difficult time. Alf Kwinter

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 12:09 AM

Annie Lauer

Dear Heidi .. I want to extend my heartfelt condolences … Gary will be missed. He lifted many spirits with his humour and good attitude; was always friendly and polite. He was an avid reader. His search for meaning through Torah was endless. May you be comforted amongst the mourners of Zion.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 1:30 AM

Janice Lebow

Heidi: I am so saddened to hear that Gary is gone from this world. Hashem took him to his Garden in Gan Eden. He was a sweet kind man and was a great asset to the legal system. I was just advised that as a Bencher in the Court System, that he arranged that meals be kosher for all their meetings. He is together now with your dear parents of Blessed Memory. They will have their beloved son with them for eternity. He will be missed by so many people and no one moreso than you, his loyal and loving sister. My heart is with you and Louis has lost a surrogate brother. You three were so close and caring of each other. Gary of Blessed Memory will always be with you, watching and supportive of you just without his outer shell. I hope to get to see you tomorrow. Hamakom Yenachem Etchem Betoch Shaar Avalei Tzion ve Yerushalyim and know no more sorrow.sy his Neshama be a blessing. All my love, Janice Lebow

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 1:46 AM

Judy Rittersporn

Dear Heidi, Please accept my profound condolences on the passing of Gary, your beloved brother. While no words can fully ease your pain, my love, thoughts and prayers are with you during this terribly difficult time. The wonderful memories that we all share of Gary will live in our hearts forever. May Gary's memory always be for a blessing.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 4:42 AM

Mardi and Haim Hirshberg

Dear Heidi: We are very sorry to hear about the passing of Gary. The bond that you had makes it even more difficult. May the memories that you shared continue to provide you comfort. We are not in Toronto but although we will not be with you today, our thoughts are with you. May Gary’s memory be for a blessing. Mardi and Haim

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 7:09 AM

Sharon Eisenberg

Dear Heidi, Sharing my heartfelt condolences of the passing of dear Gary. We sometimes walked along the neighbourhood school track together, or sat on one of the benches just chatting about many topics. He always had a smile and was a bright spark to any group of people he met, with his guidance, intellect and wit, not to mention chatting about law. I shall miss running into him in the area. He touched many people's lives and his goodness shone through. May his memory and strength be cherished by you and your family guide you forward at this challenging time. Sincerely, Sharon

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 8:43 AM

David Kruger

I’m so sorry to read about Gary’s death. I lived across the hall from him for 8 years on Shallmar. He was a mensch. I see his “shingle”/name out on the building at Bay & Dundas, think of him and smile. His neshama lives on in all who knew him.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 8:46 AM

Mindi Langer-Vajda

Dear Heidi Condolences on the passing of Gary. I remember you and him at the Village shul.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 8:55 AM

Donald Desaulniers

So sorry to learn about Gary's passing. We shared many great telephone conversations over the years. Gary was the best voice ever for lawyers who ran their own small legal practices and his work for the maximum 16 years as a Bencher of the Ontario Law Society enabled the "little guy" attorneys to be well represented. The articles Gary wrote for the Law Times were incredibly insightful. The legal profession has lost one of its most knowledgeable voices.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 9:08 AM

Allen Manly

Dear Heidi I just read the sad news of Gary’s z”l death and my heart skipped a beat. I met Gary more than 50years ago. He was always upbeat and fun. I hope that you will be consoled with meaningful memories, and that Gary’s life will continue to inspire you to deeds of courage and kindness. המקום ינחם אתכם

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 9:32 AM

Judy Shub

Dear Heidi, my sincere condolences on the passing of your brother Gary.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 9:48 AM

Ron Kaufman

Heidi: My condolences on Gary’s passing. As Alf Kwinter noted, Gary provided a much needed voice for small firms and sole practitioners as a Bencher of the LSUC. I also recall our Wembley baseball games with Benny, Norman and Gerald. May his memory be a blessing.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 10:29 AM

Sandy Feld

Heidi: I am truly sorry to hear of the passing of your brother and my friend, Gary. He was a very special person and I enjoyed meeting with him. He always had a smile on his face and it was infectious. You could not help but be happy around him. He will be sorely missing May Hashem console you in this time of grief.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 10:52 AM

Paul Brown

When I first started davening at Beth Lida in late 2003, Gary welcomed me warmly and even invited me to lead the Kabbalat Shabbat service upon my first arrival, a gesture I’ve never forgotten. His friendly demeanour always made me feel a close connection with Beth Lida. Whenever there was a mazeltov, he’d take the time to email me his good wishes. I will miss him dearly.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 11:26 AM

Jo Meingarten

Decades ago, the Toronto Sun published a beautifully written, tender love story written by someone named Gary Lloyd Gottlieb. I kept it and, every once in a while, savour it all over again. I always wondered whether things had worked out for the writer and the woman (and child) in the story. I hope they did. Rest in peace, Gary Lloyd Gottlieb.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 11:56 AM

LORI SAND & LYNN SAND

Dear Heidi, We send our heartfelt condolences on the passing of your dear brother, Gary... May all the wonderful memories you shared together, give you comfort & strength in the days ahead & may his precious memory be forever a blessing. Wishing you long life & no more sorrows. May Hashem comfort you among the mourners of Zion. ✡

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 12:17 PM

Alan Ferman

Dear Heidi .. I want to extend my heartfelt condolences May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 12:37 PM

Danny Kayfetz

Gary was well respected, well liked and a valuable contributor as a lawyer. He will be missed.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 12:48 PM

Antony Lipsey

Heidi You should only know of Smachot in the future

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 12:51 PM

Revel Steinman

Sincere condolences. May his memory be for a blessing.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 1:01 PM

Sheldon Parker

I had the privilege of knowing Gary way back from my days at Beth Synagogue, and later as a colleague.. He was a dedicated and resourceful lawyer and advocate for the small guy. His passing is a loss to the community. May his memory be for a blessing.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 1:02 PM

Igor Ellyn

Dear family of Gary Gottlieb z”l, I knew Gary as a colleague for decades and had numerous chats about law and Yiddishkeit over the years. He was a mensch and a bar leader in his own initimitable way for many years and had an impressive law career. His leadership on behalf of lawyers in small firms was especially significant. I sometimes wondered if his window sign at Bay and Dundas, which appeared in both English and Chinese, was correctly translated. :-) My sincere condolences to Gary’s family. May his memory be a blessing.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 1:19 PM

Ronda G. Stoller Wunsch

Baruch dayan ha'emet. I'm sure your brother will be missed by many.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 1:33 PM

John Rosen

Gary was a classmate and colleague. A real mensch. My condolences to his family. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 2:02 PM

Judith Weinroth and Moshe Meirovich

Dear Heidi. Baruch Dayan Haemet. Moshe and I send our condolences on the loss of your brother. You were both so supportive of each other. We recall the times we saw Gary z’l, you and Louis together at various events and programs. On a personal note, I will miss my encounters with Gary z’l while out grocery shopping. May you be comforted by good memories.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 2:08 PM

Rick Bornstein

To the family. I had not seen Gary in many years and was saddened to read that he had died. Our connection dates back to the 50’s and 60’s at the Forest Hill school days. I remember him as a humble guy and very friendly. May his memory be for a blessing to his family and friends.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 5:30 PM

Alan Wolfish

Dear Heidi, our condolences on the passing of your beloved brother. We first met in Grade 8 at Forest Hill Jr High. At the time, neither of us knew we would become life long friends. Together we enjoyed so many good times. Law was Gary's North Star. As an observant Jew, he incorporated Jewish values into the practice of law. Trudie and I wish you strength. May Gary's name forever be a blessing.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 6:12 PM

STEVEN SABLE & JORDANA FRANKEL-SABLE

Dear Heidi & Louis….Wow, such sad news about Gary passing away. After attending Beth Lida for many many years to help make the minyan…one of our first people to welcome us all was Dear Gary. A true mensch, he was so good with all our Seniors and little Max as he became Bar Mitzvah age….well fast forward, our Seniors are with Gary now & Max is still making the minyan at Beth Lida. I hope you both remember all the amazing times and adventures you all shared together. Did he ever get his knee replacement or did he chicken out? Sending you both our deepest condolences…unfortunately Steven & I are out of town for the funeral/Shiva. Baruch Dayan Ha’emet. Steven, Jordana & Max Sable

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 6:38 PM

BERNARD GLUCKSTEIN

Dear family; My sincere condolences on the death of a dear friend and colleague.Gary was a bencher who spent many hours advocating for the small law firms that historically had very little voice with the law society that was dominated by the large firms. He will be missed by all those he touched.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 7:01 PM

Larry Rachlin

Dear Heidi, Sara and I are deeply saddened to learn of Gary’s passing. We were for many years next door neighbours. To you and his family we mourn the passing of a mensch.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 8:02 PM

Mark Usher

Dear Heidi, I was quite saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved brother Gary. He was such a sweet and kind fellow, with a wonderful sense of humour, and he was a delight to spend time with. And I knew him for many years, and now I can say even more so that he was very modest as well. In hearing you speak of him at the funeral, and reading the comments here, I did not know of all of the many things that he had done for others and for the community as well. And as per Rabbi Diamond's beautiful words at the funeral, as we now enter the Book and Parshah of Shemot (meaning "Names") in the Torah readings, Gary does indeed sadly leave "our world", but enters the next one with having left a most righteous Name. And he will be so fondly remembered, and greatly missed, by all that knew him. I wish you much comfort during this time. May Gary’s memory be for a blessing.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 8:10 PM

Janice Sarah Hannah Clarfield

I am so sorry about Gary's passing My heartfelt compassion goes out to you Heidi and to all those who were close to.your brother. He was a person who always had a good heart and was considerate, kind and compassionate. He was very intelligent and fought for what he believed in. He was so happy to finally have Kosher meals available at the meetings and events of those appointed to the Bench at the Law Society. He was a deeply spiritual man. He will be deeply missed by many but his good works in LIFE will carry on. His warmth and smile were contagious. May his soul be at peace forever remembered by those who who were very BLESSED to know him.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 8:56 PM

Paul and Amy Appleby

Heidi, we send our deepest condolences. Gary was always a kind, and sweet person to both my wife Amy and me. I still see his gentle smile. May Gary's neshama have an easy transition to the next world. And may the Almighty give you strength and comfort.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 8:59 PM

Leslie Train

Shayne and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. We've known Gary for well over 40 years and we remember him as gentle, helpful, articulate, spiritual and highly intelligent. We will miss him greatly.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 9:05 PM

Sherri Wise

Baruch Dayan Emes! So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. Hamakom yenachem, Kenny and Sherri Wise

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 9:51 PM

Alan Silverstein

Gary Lloyd Gottlieb. A dear friend who will be sorely missed. A well-respected lawyer practicing for over half a century. A proud Bencher (Director) of the Law Society of Ontario, both as an Elected and Life Bencher, for nearly 30 years. With so many different skills, Gary deeply touched the people with whom he came in contact. May the memory of Gary Lloyd Gottlieb be a blessing in the future for all who had the privilege of knowing him.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 10:03 PM

Howard Black

Gary was a dedicated lawyer and a mentsch to everyone with whom he came into contact. May his memory be for a blessing.

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Posted on 12.01.2025 - 10:45 PM

Ken Tepper

Dear Heidi, Please accept Lynn’s and my deepest condolences at Gary’s passing. Gary and I quickly became friends when we were classmates in Grade 4 at West Prep — 72 years ago. Gary and I used to visit one another and have supper at one another’s houses (he recently told me that he was a fan of my mother’s lamb chops), and your mother would always insist on giving me fruit and vegetables to take home whenever I left his house. ( I believe that Gary’s father worked at the food terminal downtown.) Gary was an outstanding writer, beginning early on when he used to write articles part-time for one of the Toronto newspapers while he was a student, and later on when he wrote articles for the Law Times. As mentioned by others, Gary always stood up for sole practitioner lawyers (those ‘in the trenches’) during his time as a bencher. May his memory be a blessing!

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Posted on 13.01.2025 - 10:02 AM

Frima Berk

Having known Gary all through West Prep,, Junior High , Forest Hill C.I. - it is sad to learn of his passing. Always a gentleman. RIP

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Posted on 13.01.2025 - 1:20 PM

Adele and Phillip Francis

Gary you will be surely missed as a friend and lawyer. Our thoughts are with you and your family Rest in Peace

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Posted on 13.01.2025 - 5:24 PM

Hy Bergel

Baruch Dayan Emet! Many of our generation have been leaving us lately but the loss of Gary weighs so heavily on my heart. Gary Lloyd Gottlieb was one of the nicest people I ever had the privilege to know, both as a colleague and as friend. His advocacy for the small law firm is legend. I will really miss him. May you know of no more sorrow and may he be a melitz yoisher, a strong advocate for all of us in Heaven,

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