Saul Koblin

Koblin, Saul Z”l

Peacefully in his 98th year, at Hennick Humber Hospital in his adopted home of Toronto.

Saul was predeceased by his parents, Rose and David Kobilnitsky; his sister, Eva Israel; and his brother, Elliot Koblin. He is remembered with great love and affection by his wife of 69 years, Jackie, by his children Ruth Z”l, Hal (Sylvia), and Wendy (Charles). Meeting and marrying Jackie, and sustaining a loving relationship for nearly 70 years, was the best thing that ever happened to him. He was also blessed with eight grandchildren: Jane (Paul), Rebecca (Alex), Sarah, Deborah, David, Laura (Danny), Adam, and Jacob; and (to date) three great-grandchildren: Eleanor, Hannah, and Arthur.

He was born on a Jewish farm colony in Saskatchewan, where his father delivered him during a storm so severe that the doctor could not make a house call. He attended St. John’s Tech in Winnipeg, and then undergraduate and graduate studies in electrical engineering at the University of Manitoba. He went on to have a long and successful career at RCA (where he led the engineering team for the antenna on Canada’s first communications satellite), Spar Aerospace (where the Canadarm was later developed), and then Canadian Pacific, Unitel, and Alcatel.

He cherished his time with Jackie, his children, and his grandchildren at the family cottage in Lac Alverna. His lifelong friendship with Harold Altman Z”l also defined his life. Their relationship started in infancy in Saskatchewan, lasted through elementary school, high school, and university, and continued until Harold’s death last September.

Memorial donations may be made to the Hennick Humber Hospital Foundation, (416) 242-1000, foundation@hrh.ca.