It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Simon Kerbel on November 5, 2026, at North York General Hospital, on the birthday of his beloved late wife, Basha Kerbel, with whom he shared 73 years of marriage.

Loving father of the late David Kerbel, Susan and Jack Lipscomb, Barry and Suzanne Kerbel, Heather Lisner-Kerbel, and Steven and Dorit Kerbel. Cherished Zaidy of Shayna and Eric, Lindy, Taryn and Kyle, Haley, Ryan, Brent and Sivan, Michelle and Ed, Shael and Raquel, Chay and Adam, Jay and Elana, and Jaclyn and Mike. Beloved great-Zaidy of Addison, Devin, Jordyn, Kade, Maya, Ari, Logan, Kaelan, Carter, Cody, Savanna, Ethan, Myles, Ava, and Taylor.

Simon, also known as Shima, was born on April 3, 1929, in Ostrowiec, Poland. Although Simon and Basha came from the same hometown, they first met in the concentration camps when Basha was a teenager. After the war, they both immigrated to Toronto, where they married in 1950. In 1971, they opened the well-known Simon’s Deli and ran it together until 2007.

Basha and the family they built together were Simon’s greatest treasures. He always had a smile and a kind word or a joke for everyone. Nothing gave him more pleasure than sharing a meal with the people he loved. He was the best Dad, Zaidy, and great-Zaidy his family could ask for. We will miss him dearly, and his memory will live on in all of us forever.

We love you, Zaidy Simon!!

Donations may be made to the Ostrovtzer Independent Mutual Benefit Society Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation by phone at 416-631-5685.