Abraham Torontour, the real Toronto Star, is a Jewish immigrant from Russia, survivor of persecution, modest businessman and quiet success, his life is a testament to dogged determination and humble grace during times of extreme adversity. Coming to Canada as a crippled immigrant child along with his family with virtually nothing but a few bags and some clothes on their backs, his story is that of an immigrant made good and raising a family in what was then an anti-Semitic Canadian culture. Through this website, I pay him tribute and tell the public at large why he is my hero, star and my inspiration for doing well for myself and by others. It is also a great testament as to the importance of immigration within the Canadian mosaic and Toronto.
Abraham Torontour, or ‘Abe’ as most people affectionately called him, was born in Russia during the early period of the Soviet Union. Abe and his family experienced firsthand the anti-Semitism and pogroms that carried on from the Tsarist regime and into the Communist era. The Torontour family much like others, were declared a political risk due to their Jewish heritage, and was forcibly detained in a Soviet concentration camp. Deprived of proper food and medical treatment, Abe suffered from ailments which lead to a debilitating condition in his knee. The medicine at the time could have easily diagnosed the issue as water in the knee and treated the illness, instead they simply removed his knee cap. The barbaric surgery left him physically and emotionally crippled, but the tragedy also developed a sense of toughness and perseverance that would serve him later in life.
Life was hard for the Jewish Torontour family and for Abe Torontour in particular. With no prospects, being chased and harassed away from their lands and persecuted by the Russian government, the family was able to escape and flee, to find opportunity abroad. After escaping the gulag system, the family immigrated to Canada in search of a better life. It was not easy for the young Jewish immigrant to integrate himself into Canadian society. The policy at the time was for the Canadian government to anglicize surnames to hide an immigrant’s ethnic origins, so even though the family provided their Jewish surname they were nonetheless registered as ‘Torontour’ in reference to their new home. To this day I am unsure of what their exact original last name was; however, I was lead to assume it began with “TOR”…. then had an additional 8 to 9 letters and ended with “OVSKI”. None the less the original name would never fit on a Canadian hockey jersey. The story also has been told that the when the Russian speaking family completed the English immigration forms, they were asked where they wanted to live once in Canada. Wishing to relocate to Toronto, the word “Toronto” was accidently placed where the last name info was required. None the less Abe now had a new last name Torontour.
Abe Torontour a young child at the time had a tough life ahead. A Jewish, crippled child being a newcomer in an environment resented immigrants could simply not be easy. Attempts to suppress, hide or misdirect his Jewish heritage did not sit well with young Abe Torontour either. He insisted on wearing his heritage with pride. Jews in those days were typically more orthodox and religious, and often all these immigrants and refugees had to cling onto was their faith and Jewish community. I often remember that he kept the Star of David around his neck. Because of this and his early knee issues, he was able to learn to walk again; however, he had a limp, unable to bend his leg and the one leg was clearly shorter that the other. Constantly bullied as a child and teen for his noticeable physical disability and as well as his Jewish heritage, Abe was forced to be tough or be victim. I always love and remember the stories that he would tell, as if he was Bruce Lee and there were 10 thugs all lined up ready to beat him up. He clearly could not fend for himself. However, he would tell the semi-convincing story how he single handily take them all down, and left them beaten, battered and begging for his mercy. True or not, he sure could tell a great story. It is for those reason, that Abe Torontour will always be a Star in my mind! The fact is that he symbolizes all of the stars that make our free country so great.
Moreover, his leg disability meant that he was unable to run very fast, and therefor a football career was not on the table for Abe Torontour. The loss of his knee instead nurtures a talent with working with his hands. He first gained employment in Montreal’s garment industry as a tailor. He eventually moved on, becoming his own businessman by owning a tailor shops and starting a family with his wife Gladys. Ever faithful to his duties as a father, he provided for the burgeoning family by always keeping a roof over their heads, a car in the driveway, food on the table, with their well being protected.
Aside from a lot of shared personality traits, he and I also share a birthday that was only a day apart in June. Because I was born so closed to his birthday, there seemed to always be a special bond between he and I. Birthday events were typically held together, and well wishing birthday calls to each other were able to be done in one call.
Abe Torontour passed away in June 1992 after a long marriage with Gladys, whom perished in 1981 leaving a legacy to his children and grandchildren. A history that continues to live on today and a gentleman whom I wished could have met and known my children. With that being said, I believe that he is still out there in the Stars watching over us.
If I was to sum up how I feel about my grandfather, Abe Torontour, it would be that he was a hugely inspirational figure in the eyes of those who knew him. He was a modest man, his accomplishments small yet so large, his life quiet yet so remarkable. He lived through tragic events that would have destroyed other people, but not Abe Torontour. He faced anti-Semitism, prejudice over his physical disabilities and his Jewish faith, deprivation from his old government and obstacles in his new country, but he did not bow, did not stop from providing for his family using his pluck and his brains. He did all this with a modest, humble air, yet he was a man of boldness, dignity faith. He did not hide his heritage or his Judaic beliefs from anybody. Instead, he was a devout Jew and proud to wear the Star of David possible repercussions. Ironically enough despite moving from Montreal to Calgary, with my family in the late 1970’s, he did actually end up moving to Toronto prior to his time of passing. He will forever be my Toronto Star.
Several people have asked me as to why I feel it was important to have this website dedicated to my grandfather Abe Torontour, who has since passed on. It is my view that preserving my Jewish heritage and immortalizing one of the most treasured Stars of my family is of the utmost importance. None the less I thought that I would add this as a footnote to this story, as to how I was filled with great sadness while doing additional research on the Torontour family history. Yes, he was my grandfather and I knew him well, however when using Google and other modern search methods I found virtually nothing but an archive of a simple obituary from the Calgary Herald. There was no story and there were no words, no YouTube videos or Facebook photos. A family history simply fading away and only left in the memories of the small number of decedents that are living. There is more to the story and way more tales to tell and, as my research continues, I will add more to this website. Please enjoy and feel free to email me should you wish to contribute to his memories.
Abe Torontour’s story is that of any immigrant’s dreams, relevant then and relevant now, especially with Syrian refugees prominent in our headlines as they flee persecution from their home country in search of freedom, safety and better life. Abe Torontour’s life is a timeless story of an immigrant’s struggle and success. Without Abe Torontour’s journey and the path he took, my family and I, in theory may not be where we are today today.
I will always fondly remember him as ‘My Toronto’s Star’.
I get asked all the time about my own personal successes. And it is quite funny but I always think to myself that we are in a country where almost anyone, disabled or not, can have their shot at success and lead a prosperous life. I give my grandfather Abe Torontour a lot of credit for my toughness, endurance, tenacity and independence, oddly enough I often think to myself how proud he would be to see the family that I have built, businesses that I run and the charities that I support. He would often brag of other’s triumphs as if they were his own, and I wish that I could deservedly share mine with him as he is partially responsible for my triumphs.
As per my Jewish upbringing, each and every month I insure that I perform what is called a Mitzvah, which essentially is a Jewish term for a good deed or an act of kindness. I have even brought these values into my businesses as well. For example, we have started our Credit Slab Cares program which has been adopted by almost every employee. Each month, we select a cause, charity or even an individual in need of either financial assistance, donations or volunteering: www.creditslabcares.com. Our primary focus is to assist or help families dealing with child illness, simply facing fiscal hardship or stocking up empty fridges for families in need. A simple seed planted by my grandfather, and a legacy that I will continue and pass onto my own children and perhaps when the time comes……. my grandchildren.
Sheldon H. Wolf
Grandson of Abe Torontour
“The purpose of this website is bring awareness to the history of Jewish immigration into Canada. Moreover this website is proudly published in loving memory of Abe Torontour and all Jewish people worldwide, who have needlessly suffered or lost their lives to persecution and oppression in and out of concentration camps. We will never forget the atrocities and we will undertake to educate the next generation so that the world becomes a safer place for everyone, everywhere.” ~Sheldon H. Wolf
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