Dr. Avrum Irving Gotlieb

Avrum Irving Gotlieb ( אברהם יצחק בן אשר אהרן וריבה ברטה) was born Jan. 17, 1946 and passed away Jan. 25, 2026 (Seventh of Shevat) just after his 80th birthday. He was the cherished son of Harry and Roberta Gotlieb, a devoted husband to Linda (née Garmaise) and devoted father to Neil (Meshulam Tzvi, living in Jerusalem) and his loving grandchildren, Netanel, Tehilla, Yael, and Ashira.

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Avrum graduated from McGill University medical school in 1971, having decided one fine day that Pathology—the study of disease—would satisfy his intellectual curiosity. He finished his training as a pathologist in the seventies and advanced his scientific training through post graduate work at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Following this stint, he returned to Canada to take up his career in medicine, research, teaching, and administration.

Throughout his journey, he always had his family by his side, from a summer program in Falmouth, Massachusetts, to the two years in California.

At the University of Toronto he wore many hats —as founding chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, member of Academic Board and member of Governing Council. During his career, he published several books and authored many peer-reviewed articles.

Over the years, he also participated in many learned societies, attaining high office and developing a network of people who he was proud to know and collaborate with. Avrum retired in July of 2025 at the age of 79 after a career spanning over 45 years at the University of Toronto.

After over four decades of sitting on our driveway and front lawn, enjoying the sun and pondering the professional and scientific issues he was grappling with, he looked forward to using his retirement to passionately do more of the same—continuing to enjoy nature and to strategize and fight for those matters he so strongly believed in.

Above all else, Avrum was a person who believed in people and was tireless in his efforts to see those around him succeed. He put much thought, time and effort into teaching and mentoring his grandchildren, his students, his mentorees, and his colleagues.

When we visited our son’s family in Jerusalem, he would hold court on the balcony,  enjoying the fresh mountain air and the view as he waited for his grandchildren to come home and consult with him on all sorts of topics, from personal life problems to academic issues. And they flocked to him and they talked and talked with him till late in the night.

On the familial and communal levels, he believed in the Jewish people and Jewish learning. He served on our synagogue board at the Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda (BEBY) and he chaired the adult education committee for many years so that he could share his love of learning with his son. He also served on the Israel committee and was instrumental in founding the Israel fund. He was active in the Soviet Jewry committee and when our first refuseniks landed in Boston he went there with a mezuzah to welcome them.

In the last few years he was passionate about representing his community at the University of Toronto on matters of antisemitism, making sure that his views were heard and recognized.

Avrum was very much loved and respected by all who knew him. He will be missed, and he will be remembered for his sense of humour, his wisdom, his humanity, his passion, and his generosity of spirit.

Avrum was a great proponent of in-person meetings, a man of many files and of many offices, but of one woman, his wife of over 57 years, Linda. May his memory be for a blessing.