Julius Joseph Deutsch
19 December 1953 – 4 February 2010
(13th of Tevet, 5714 to 21st of Sh'vat, 5770)
1. Parkdale–High Park NDP Riding Association Statement
2. ONDP Leader, Andrea Horwath's Statement
3. Memorial Serivce, 7 February 2010
Parkdale–High Park NDP
Riding Association Statement
Passionate social justice activist, labour organizer and a leader in the Toronto-area New Democratic Party, Julius Deutsch died Thursday evening at Mount Sinai Hospital, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Over the past ten years, Julius was the Toronto and York Region Labour Council's Executive Assistant, and could be seen at many of their demonstrations, or busy organizing the annual Labour Day Parade.
In Parkdale–High Park, he was noted as a winning election campaign manager at both the provincial and federal level. He was Elaine Ziemba's campaign manager in the 1987, 1990 and 1995 campaigns. When Ziemba was the High Park–Swansea Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), during the Bob Rae NDP government from 1990-1995, Julius became her Executive Assistant at Queens Park. In 2004, he co-managed Peggy Nash's first campaign to become the federal representative for Parkdale–High Park. In the 2006 federal election, Julius co-managed her winning campaign, and served as an unofficial advisor when she was the Member of Parliament. Following up Nash's victory, Julius co-managed Cheri DiNovo's successful provincial by-election campaign in the summer and early fall of 2006. He also co-managed DiNovo's re-election campaign the following year. The final campaign that he co-managed in the riding was the 2008 Peggy Nash federal campaign. Although we didn't win, Julius made sure that the path to future victories was secured with his insightful critiques.
In recent years, Julius' health was not the best, but that did not stop him from being active in local politics at all levels. He finally succumbed to his long-term illnesses, in the company of his family, on the 4th of February 2010. Julius requested that any donations be made either to the Stephen Lewis Foundation or to the New Democratic Party
.
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath
statement on the passing of Toronto
community activist Julius Deutsch
Friday, 5 February 2010 @ 2:16 pm
“Last night, the City of Toronto lost one of its truly great progressive activists. Julius Deutsch was a trusted advisor to countless politicians, mentor to scores of young activists and friend to everyone he worked alongside. Julius devoted his life to fighting for what he considered right and just. Keeping local utilities in public hands, protecting the environment and ensuring the preservation of Toronto’s manufacturing base were just some of the issues near and dear to his heart. For the better part of 40 years, you couldn’t help but run into Julius at work on progressive and NDP political campaigns across his adopted city. His impact on social justice and labour causes will be felt for many years to come. To all those whose lives he touched, Julius will be greatly missed. To his life-partner Bob, his sister Grace and his extended family, I extend my sincerest condolences on behalf of all Ontario New Democrats.”
Memorial Service
A memorial service was held on Sunday, the 7th of February 2010, at the United Steel Workers Hall, 25 Cecil Street, Toronto. Visitation was held from 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. The service started at 5:30 p.m., with MPP Cheri DiNovo leading the service. Julius's sister Grace, and his life partner Bob Hambley were present but did not speak. MPP Peter Tabuns read ONDP leader Andrea Horwath's remarks. He was followed by Winnie Ng, who worked with Julius during the Rae government and later at Labour Council. Carol Egan, from USW, gave the next eulogy. Former Parkdale–High Park MP, Peggy Nash gave a stirring summation of how Julius advised and managed her through three federal campaigns. Toronto's Mayor, David Miller, spoke about his 25 year working relationship with Julius, starting with the Ziemba 1985 campaign, all the way through his own federal, and municipal campaigns in High Park. The mayor noted that a significant number of City Councillors were present including in no specific order: Adam Giambrone, Joe Pantalone, Howard Moscoe, Sandra Bussin, Paul Fletcher, Janet Davis, Joe Mihevc, Pam McConnell, Adam Vaughn, and Gord Perks. His three nieces told the story of how the Deutsch family came to Canada, and about his family-life outside of politics. Finally, a non-traditional version of the Jewish ritual of Mourner's Kaddish was performed and that concluded the memorial service.
