Obituary: Eric Hamovitch '68

We are saddened to inform you of the passing of Eric Hamovitch, Class of '68, who died suddenly on December 24, 2021 at age 71.

Eric joined Selwyn House School in 1964. He was Acting Prefect in his graduating year as well as Vice-President of the History Club. He and fellow members of the History Club (P. Hadekel, S. Patch G. Sheppard) were awarded the Redpath Herald Award at Prizegiving ceremonies in 1968. This award was awarded (and continues to be) to the student, group of students, or member of the community who, in the opinion of the headmaster, "has shown initiative of a creative nature in the organization or planning of some project with the framework of the school and worthy of recognition". Eric also participated in Music Studies and was a member of the Debating Club. In 1964 he was awarded the Chronicle Cup for essay-writing. In 1967 he placed second in Public Speaking for his speech entitled "On Being Left-Handed". 

Eric was a talented writer and public speaker at a young age and later became a journalist.

His funeral service was held online on Tuesday, December 28, 2021.


Obituary:
HAMOVITCH, Eric
1950 - 2021

It is with great sadness that the family of Eric Hamovitch announces his sudden passing, on Friday, December 24, 2021, at age seventy-one. Beloved husband of Gouedala Marius. Adored son of the late Evelyn and the late Sam Hamovitch; and son-in-law of Marc-Jerome Marius and Edith Bellegarde. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Nonnie and Bruce Cedar, Jon and Bonnie, and Greg and Pam Hamovitch, and brother-in-law of Belinda, Mircile, and Carval Marius. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his many cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
 
Eric was a master of trivia and the written word. He began his career as a journalist with Canadian Press and, much to his mother’s chagrin, took a posting in Mexico City as a foreign correspondent for Central America at a time of extreme political turbulence. Eric was one of the initial investors in the board game Trivial Pursuit, for which he also wrote many of the questions. He authored and co-authored many political books and biographies and combined his love of travel with his journalistic skills, writing numerous travel books. More recently, Eric served as a Director for the Institute for Responsible Government and collaborated on the French/English translation of many books on historical topics, current events, and documents in the fields of finance and culture. 
 
A private graveside funeral will take place in Montreal. Donations in Eric’s memory may be made to Journalists for Human Rights, 416-413-0240, the Institute of Responsible Government, 1-877-342-5737, or the charity of your choice. 

You may read Eric's obituary here.
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