A Database of the Dead

My grandmother, source of kindness and patience, who sang us songs before bed, saved newspaper clippings from the Canadian Jewish news for me, taught me to thank my teachers, Holocaust survivor who wished me, "God bless you" every Friday night.

My late beloved father, who adjusted his life to provide love, support, lifts, computer assistance, classic rock schooling, camping tips, barbeques and stir-fries to me and my brothers.

If you look up comedy in the dictionary, there one ought to find a photo of the great Groucho Marx. He taught many a person, young and old, to be quick witted, irreverent, and fearless--to stand up to authority, fake it til you make it, and never stop making the world laugh.

Much more has been written on her than she herself wrote, and yet her published work, never meant for public consumption, has become one of the most important texts of the 20th century. She was brave, spunky, clever, and offered perspectives on survival, perseverance and adolescence that continue to inspire new generations of readers worldwide. May her memory be a blessing, and her legacy be one of everlasting peace and unity amongst the nations.

Noor was a wonderful wife, mother of 2 kids, and amazing friend. She was full of hope and love giver to everyone around her. She fought cancer for 5 years and unfortunately we lost her. She will always be in our memory. God bless her and bless all of us. I’m Ammar AL-Jawad (Noor’s husband)

Loving grandfather, father and husband. He was a musician, accountant political activist, fighter against racial inequality and lover of life.

Loving father, husband, and son. He was a star athlete and political junky. His life was cut short from the effects of suspected government nuclear weapons testing.

He was my dad, and I miss him terribly. We had a really shitty relationship at times, but it was getting better, and we would have had a lot more good years.

Dave was an amazing activist and human being. He fought for indigenous rights and sovereignty, environmental and social justice, anti-capitalism, anti-racism and anti-fascism.
A great friend who was always there to support his loved ones.
Dave was a young man from Walkerton, he worked at Earthroots and Ecoman, and had a Master degree from York University.
He loved to cook and support the artist movement, always ready to cook and stand in various ways, specially on the Frontline. Some causes he strongly supported are G-20, Occupy Toronto, No Tar Sands.

my Grandmother. She lived more than 3000 miles away from me for most of my life. I was 5 when She left. i remember standing at the train station not realizing She was going to live away from me. we wrote letters back and forth from that time until She came back. it was christmas time, She died christmas eve just a few days after Her return. we had so many plans, or maybe just i did - Her will was in her purse. all these years and I can't stop missing Her. I love you Gammy.

Nathan was my roommate in the late 90s. He was flamboyant, kind, loving, and hilarious, known for his dashing good lucks, outstanding singing voice, his passion for Bette Midler, and generally over-the-top in all kinds of amazing ways.

My father, Abraham Stephen Richter was born in Fehrenwald, a D.P. camp in Munich, Germany in 1948; his family migrated to Montreal, Canada in 1949. He loved smoked meat sandwiches from Schwartz's, the Beatles (especially the White Album), Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto, ABBA, "The Sign" by Ace of Bass, nature walks, watching CNN and railing against Trump, Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, busting out ridiculous disco moves, arguing, telling stories in which he saved the day, and reading historical fiction. In 1985 he achieved his lifelong dream of taking his family to Hawaii, twice in one year, one of the highlights of his life that he never forgot, and became a touchstone of sorts. He wasn't perfect, but he always did his best, and he loved his family more fiercely than anyone I have ever known.

my father. a friend to many. kind when it wasn't cool to be a man and kind. never did alot of what he dreamed of doing because of what society said a man should do. my hero for the love he gave to the world - I wished he'd ask for more in return. I miss him forever and always.

A women , mother, sister, aunt, grandmother. She is the strength of her 4 daughters and will never be forgotten. She was not only a mother but father at the same time , and around the corner she was a best friend.