It is with great sadness that OCUFA announces the passing of Henry Mandelbaum, former Executive Director and cherished member of the OCUFA community. Henry died in Toronto on December 8, 2012 after a long illness.
Henry was the Executive Director of OCUFA from 1996 until his retirement in 2011. During this time, he navigated the organization through many different governments, uncertain circumstances, and challenging policy issues. He was a tireless advocate for university faculty and fought hard to preserve affordable and high quality university education for everyone.
To those he worked with, Henry was an unparalleled mentor and an exceptional friend. His warmth, compassion, and skill as a storyteller was apparent to everyone. He will be greatly missed by his friends at OCUFA and across Ontario’s higher education sector, Ontario’s university faculty, and colleagues across Canada.
The funeral ceremony will be held this Friday December 14, 2012Â at the Mount Pleasant Visitation Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Rd, Toronto, at 11 AM. A celebration of Henry’s life is being planned for early 2013.
I was saddened to learn in January 2013 about Henry. He replaced me as the Executive Director of the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations in 1984. I only knew him for a short time in Edmonton because I moved to Calgary in 1985. I remember his competence, humour, and commitment to the welfare of academe.