Irving Martin Abella CM OOnt FRSC was a professor of history at York University from 1968 to 2013. He specialized in Jewish Canadian history and the Canadian labor movement.
He was 82.
Irving Abella wife: Who is Rosalie Abella
Rosalie Silberman Abella was Abella’s wife.
She is a former Supreme Court of Canada justice who was not only the first Jewish woman but also the first refugee to sit on the Court.
They had two children. Jacob Abella and Zachary Abella
Outside of academics, Abella served as president of the Canadian Jewish Congress from 1992 to 1995 and as head of VisionTV, a religious television specialty channel.
“Irving Abella was a typical Canadian Jewish leader,” stated Bernie Farber, head of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network and former CEO of the Canadian Jewish Congress. “He was intelligent, eloquent, engaging, daring, and foresighted.” His inspiring leadership has become a part of his legacy. He was both a mentor and a teacher to me. May his memory be a gift forever.”
