LIPSON, Samuel Joseph
On November 12, 2006 at Mount Sinai Hospital, in his 95th year. Beloved husband of Irene Honey Lipson, who predeceased him in 1996. Sam is survived by daughters, Gail Zigelstein and Judy Geller (Howard Rosenthal) and by his son Jeffrey Lipson (Beverley Hershoran-Lipson). Dear grandfather of David, Trevor (Maria Amati), and Lani Zigelstein (Michael Davidson), and Kevin Stone; Tyson and Joshua (Orly Tanentzap-Geller); Jordana, Alexandra (Richard Pell) and Ashley Lipson. Proud great-grandfather to Cole, Rachel and Julia Zigelstein and Jonah Pell.
Sam was born on August 15, 1911 to the late Joseph and Bessie Lipson in Montreal, where he grew up with his late brothers Hyman and Joseph and his late sisters Faye Miller and Sandy Emas. In 1938 he moved to Toronto, where he married and entered into the men’s clothing business, building a chain of stores called Coward Clothes Shops. Well respected in retail circles for his entrepreneurial skills, he branched out co-founding Sentry Department Stores in 1961 which later acquired G.E.M. Department Stores, one of the original public discount centres in Ontario.
As a member of the Holy Blossom Temple and supporter of Baycrest and Mount Sinai Hospital, Sam was actively involved in his community. A member of the Primrose Club and the Maple Downs Golf and Country Club, he enjoyed a busy social life, both in Toronto and in Florida, full of travel, theatre, golf, bridge and entertaining. He made new friends readily and was known for his generosity, caring and sense of humour. Sam’s passing leaves a huge void for those who knew and loved him. Sam wanted to give a special thanks to all of the staff at Hazelton Place who cared for him so well. If desired, donations can be made to the Irene and Samuel Lipson Fund at Baycrest, 3560 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario M6A 2E1, or to a charity of your choice.