Peter Rosenthal

I am so grateful for all the love care respect and deep justice Peter infused in the world... lives were changed because of him. His heart and soul will be missed by this world. Rest in power.

Oh, Peter, we worked so well together on social justice issues. Your contribution was exemplary, and you will be missed. In your honour I certainly continue to speak out against injustice.

I had the honour of working for Peter briefly. Not only was he an inspiration in the fight for justice, but he was also one of those rare people who were always smarter than everyone else in the room but never ever made you feel it. May he rest in power.

Peter was a warm, caring, bright and committed human. His anger with inequities in the world fueled his passion for life and made him a role model to many. His love of family is his true legacy. We are so sorry for your loss - and know that his memory will live in our hearts and souls.

Peter had an exceptional intellect. He continued to teach math while working on a law degree. Both before and after his formal legal studies, found time to combine the teaching of math and the pursuit on justice in the courtroom. He loved justice and he loved math. An exceptional human being. I am glad I knew him.

To Peter's Family, Friends and Colleagues, I am immeasurably saddened by Peter's passing. He was my friend for 37 years from the first day of law school at the U of T. I was fortunate to work with him on many Coroner's Inquests examining police killings of persons in crisis, most often Black people in emotional crises. He was always polite, civil and good-humoured while relentless in his advocacy, staying true to his principles, fighting against injustice and standing with and up for vulnerable, marginalized individuals and communities. He had a heart of gold. I will really miss him. Thinking of his family during this difficult time. I've posted a tribute to Peter on my blog here: https://anitaszigeti.wordpress.com/2024/05/27/remembering-peter-rosenthal-may-25-2024/ May his Memory Be a Blessing.

It was a great pleasure to call him a friend and a colleague at the Bar. Though, almost always, we were on opposite sides of the issue, it never affected our friendship. Indeed, it improved it. My condolences go out to his family of whom he was immensely proud.

I was so sad to hear of Peter's passing at too young an age. He was a brilliant, funny, extremely caring person with immense passion for life. He loved his family, friends, and a lively discussion around the dinner table about a controversial subject! His face with a huge smile will be etched in my memory forever. He is very loved.

Peter humbly gifted so much of his time and experience to coalitions and advocacy organizations that fought for housing such as the Toronto Coalition Against Homelessness and the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee. At inquests, public inquiries, court challenges, rallies and marches he stood fast with unhoused people and advocates and gave so generously of his time and experience. With thanks to his family for sharing him with us and my deepest condolences at your loss.

Dear Carol and Family, My sincerest condolences on this profound loss. Peter sounds like an incredible individual, not at all surprising as I reflect on the contributions and impacts of the others in this very special family. Wishing you all strength and comfort in this difficult time. May his memory be for a blessing.

Dear Carol and Family, My deepest condolences on the passing of Peter. I was awed as I read his obituary; he was the truest of advocates. My thoughts are with you all.

Peter was a friend and advocate for victims of racial and class discrimination, a people's lawyer who could work miracles in a courtroom. My family and I are grateful for the friendship and kindness we received from Peter and his family, both in New York and Toronto. Bless his heart.

It was with great sadness that I learned of Peter's passing. I was fortunate enough to have been his student. He was a great inspiration both as a mathematician and as an activist.

On behalf of the Communist Party of Canada, we send deepest sympathy and condolences to Peter's family. He will be greatly missed by all those he assisted in their struggles against racism and discrimination, against war and reaction, and for social and economic justice. in 1993, the Mulroney government introduced legislation aimed to eliminate all political parties not already represented in Parliament. This included seizure of bank accounts and forced sale of assets including computers etc, and blocking these parties from participation in federal elections and in the political life of the country. The Communist Party fought this undemocratic and dangerous legislation for 10 years, in various courts, and finally in the Supreme Court where we won our case and over-turned the worst parts of this draconian legislation. While the Party campaigned politically across the country, it was Peter Rosenthal who fought the case in several courts, and finally won in the Supreme Court. He did this pro bono until the very end when costs were finally awarded, because he understood the danger to working people and to democracy that this legislation posed. The Figueroa case is widely recognized as an important win for electoral democracy in Canada. We will always remember Peter for his unwavering commitment to win this 10 year battle, which we won in every court and which the federal government appealed at every juncture. Peter will be missed by the many people and causes he fought for over the years, and remembered by many more as a man who who walked the walk for equality, democracy, peace, social justice and socialism. Deepest sympathy, Elizabeth Rowley, Leader, Communist Party of Canada

Dear Carol, Daniel and family Sending my sincerest condolences for your loss. May you find comfort in all your wonderful memories of Peter. Please take care. Anne DeLa Franier

Peter Rosenthal had a huge impact on my life. He taught mathematics not by showing us proofs, but by leading us through the process of discovering them for ourselves - and by doing that he led me to a rediscovered confidence in my own ability. His principled political stands were always focused on defending the abused, and often involved painful issues; but despite the seriousness of his work, the twinkle in his eye and wicked smile remind us always that life, even in struggle, can be fun.

My family Samuel Willoughby, Deborah Willoughby and Linda Willoughby are sending our sincere condolences to the family. So sorry we didn't know until this afternoon.

I was aware of Peter's battles for justice and the underdog for years before I actually met him. I finally got to know him in person through my partner Miriam Garfinkle, who, when I worried that some protest or occupation she was planning to take part in might get her arrested, would reassure me by telling me "if I get arrested, I'll call Peter Rosenthal." I know there were many people who drew strength from knowing that Peter Rosenthal was in their corner, fighting on their behalf. He will be missed.

To Peter’s family: I was deeply saddened to hear of Peter’s passing and I wish you great comfort at this very sad time. Peter was a wonderful person. Although I had been aware of his work with Charles Roach for several years, I first met him in-person roughly twenty years ago when I gave him some advice on how to argue a university tenure appeal and of the relevance of human rights issues to the appeal that he was arguing. Although it was not his area of expertise, I was immediately struck during that meeting by how quickly he grasped the issues and how best to advance the case. As I learned in the years subsequent to that meeting, when I ran into Peter at court or when we spoke from time to time, it was characteristic of the sharp legal mind he brought to his work. It was also always a pleasure to experience his easy smile, laugh and sense of humour. You can be rightly proud of all that Peter did for others and for the community during his very full life. My heart goes out to you.

Dear Esther, My deepest condolences to you and your family during this very difficult time. Love, Liz Carreiro

Very sorry to hear of Dr. Rosenthal’s passing. We disagreed on almost everything but it was always the most respectful and wonderful intellectual conversations. The one thing we agreed upon was the importance of family. My sincerest condolences to his family. May his memory and legacy be a blessing to his family and friends.

I met Peter in 2015 when he was working tirelessly to combat racial profiling and street checks for the Black community. He was at every meeting and every deputation. I did not know at that time that I also knew his incredible and amazing wife, who happened to be my doctor. He will be missed by so many, but he made the world a better place while here. I am so very sorry for your loss and am sending my deepest condolences Carol, to you and to your family.

I knew Peter only from travelling in the same activist circles, particularly during the antinuclear campaigns of the 80s. He was a great man and I always had profound respect for him. My thoughts are with the family in this time.

I am so saddened to hear of Peter's passing. I knew Peter through his legal work and his steadfast commitment to his clients, their causes and a better world were an inspiration. What I loved about him the most, is that he had great joy speaking about three things - his family, math and his cases. My condolences to his family and friends.

Dear Carol and family We were saddened to hear of your husband’s passing. We hope his memories bring comfort in the years to come. Warm hugs coming your way, Phyllis And Stephen ( glanc, Kahn)

It is with great sadness that I found out today about Peter's passing. Peter was my PhD supervisor, and I will always remember him for his great kindness, for his willingness to teach me and explain to me the smallest details that I, stupidly, could not see. I came to see him as the ultimate professional mathematician. Later on, I became his colleague, and he always treated with respect, and caring, as equals, even though I was (and always will be) not even close to his stature as a mathematician. He was such a great influence for me, professionally and personally. He will be greatly missed. Rest in peace.