Wilfred Caplan
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, January 19th, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Mayer Wilfred Caplan, FCGA, BComm, M.A. August 2nd, 1935 – January 17, 2024 at the age of 88.
Son of the late Lillian (Duckman) and Jack Caplan, and beloved surrogate mother Ruth (Lunenfeld) and son-in-law to Thelma Goodman, Sam Hershorn, Doris (Cohen). Devoted for 60 years to the love of his life The Honourable Elinor (Hershorn) Caplan. Always the romantic, they eloped, married and renewed vows four times over the years. Proud and loving father of David z’l & Leigh Caplan, Mark Caplan & Claire Angus, Meredith Caplan & Rob Jamieson, and Zane Caplansky & Willa Bradshaw.
Grandfather and Klubbiush teacher to Findlay (Nick), Talia, Max and Angus Caplan, Benjamin and Jacob Caplan, Rory and Sadie Jamieson. And Archie Caplansky.
Predeceased by brothers Melvyn (Sally z’l) and John (Rhoda). Brother-in-law to Carol Lou Spiegel. Wilf was a deeply loved uncle to Lisa, Jordan, Stacy, Hart, Jason and Lara Caplan, and Alan and Marla Spiegel. The close-knit extended Caplan, Duckman, Hershorn and Goodman families include dearly loved aunts, uncles and cousins, great nieces and nephews. Wilf held a special place to so many for his loving nature, social conscious and generous hospitality.
Wilf grew up on Nassau Street in Kensington Village. After his mother’s passing during his teenage years, the family moved north to Aurora where he made lifelong friends and graduated from Aurora District High School first in his class. Wilf went on to be the first in his family to graduate from university, earning a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Toronto. Returning to Toronto with an M.A. in Economics from University of California Berkley, Wilf pursued a career in accounting and finance and became an active member of CGA Canada, ultimately serving as National President of CGA Canada and named a Fellow (FCGA). In his professional life Wilf was a true entrepreneur and worked in a variety of business and industries – electronics, logistics, real estate development, scrap metal, medical devices and consulting. Always community minded, he served as Treasurer of Beth Tikvah Synagogue and several political campaigns and Liberal riding associations. He was always Elinor’s most committed volunteer and campaigner-in-chief.
At the families second home on Fairy Lake for over 40 years Wilf could be found sporting his captain’s hat and overseeing sail and motor boating activity. Wilf was committed to a variety of well-rounded interests in sports and the arts – as a baseball player and fan (B’nai Brith men’s league & Blue Jays), a basketball fan (Raptors of course), a squash player, and a lifelong lover of the Canadian Opera Company and Broadway. Wilf and Elinor were avid travelers whose adventures took them to see much of the world together. Wilf enjoyed hosting his close-knit group of friends for weekends, sharing regular weekend breakfasts, dinners and poker games.
Wilfred touched and enriched so many lives from family, friends and working life. A pillar of strength during heartaches and challenges, he loved life, a simcha, and lived his days to their fullest.
Memorial donations may be made to the Baycrest Foundation 416-785-2875 or Temmy Latner Palliative Care 416-586-8203 Ext.3936 https://tlcpc.org/.
