In addition to the in-person service at the Chapel, the funeral will also be live-streamed. To view the service virtually, please go to https://smclive.ca/ on Friday, August 4th, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.

Aug 22, 1947 – August 3, 2023
A simple, uncomplicated man. Yet, a man with two names. Who was Jack Tanenbaum?
Born in a refugee camp in Salzburg, Austria to Leon and Eva, young Jakob Tennenbaum learned early that life is not always easy. With his parents and baby sister Brenda, they made their way to Canada to start a new life. With this new life came a new name, but in true fashion he somehow managed to maintain both official names on various official documents. A man of mystery and curiosity that will no doubt raise innumerable complications as we move through this process!
As a young child Jack struggled in school, but enjoyed athletics, his friends and found that fixing cars was much more enjoyable to learning French. And, so he made his way to the trades and was licensed in Mechanics where he began his lifelong career.
He and high-school sweetheart Lynda married young and soon came two daughters, Brandy and Jayme. While the marriage broke down, he and Lynda remained friends over the years that followed. He is loved and remembered fondly by the Rotenberg/Phillips family.
In 1996, Jack married the love of his life, Rosine and she was welcomed quickly into our weird family dynamic. Jack loved his in-laws Aron and Jeannette and Rose’s brothers Michel, Claude and their families.
The title that he loved most dearly was that of Zaidy and one he has held for the past 20 years. He deeply loved his grandchildren: Canyon, Britain, Ryder and Alicia.
But, the most enduring love of his life perhaps could be the one he had for his shop, his staff, and his customers. He felt happy, competent and fulfilled by a career serving his community. He worked along side his wonderful staff Terry and Bong for decades and without whom this last year would have been untenable. His shop on the corner of Roselawn and Marlee was home to Toronto’s honest mechanic with a fiercely loyal customer base. Many of his customers have been with him since the 1970’s and now their children as well. He was so proud of his work and embodied his license plate: DR AUTO.
If the shop was his love, then his Yamaha V-Star was his mistress. The urban legend is when he proposed getting a motorcycle to his first wife, she said they’d have to divorce. He had no objection and rode off a happy man.
Whether it was baseball tournaments or ringette games, dance recitals or long porch talks with Jayme, or motorcycle rides with Brandy, day-to-day living with Rosine, or taking one of their many road trips or cruises, Jack was, at his core, a simple man.
He craved his creature comforts. Most were at best unhealthy, but he lived on his terms and wasn’t keen to adjust. A man of conviction, perhaps bold stubbornness. What-you-see-is-what-you-get. He would, without hesitation, give you the shirt off his back. He enjoyed the peace of a quiet moment, a sip of good whiskey, the sun on his face and wind at his back.
He is loved and missed by his adoring wife Rosine, his daughters Brandy (Dave), Jayme (Alex), sister Brenda, grandchildren Canyon, Britain, Ryder and Alicia, nieces and nephews, aunt and cousins. Predeceased by his parents Leon and Eva, father-in-law Aron, and brother-in-law Avraham.
Special thanks to the care teams at both Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Odette Cancer Program and Humber River Hospital. In particular, thanks to Dr. Signy Chow and his long-time family doctor, Les Richmond.

 

Memorial Donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society 1.888.939.3333 https://cancer.ca/en/

Canadian Diabetes Assoc. 416-363-3373 https://www.diabetes.ca/