By Myer Bick

Throughout history, great achievements have been chronicled through stories – stories handed down from one generation to the next.

The saga of David Azrieli’s life is very much a part of – and intertwined with  – the stories and traditions of the Jewish people, of Canada, of Israel and of Zionism.

David’s story is well-known, especially since he, and his daughters Danna and Naomi, published two books on his life and had many news articles on his achievements appear in the media – a situation which did not displease him.

I had the great fortune of sharing part of his life experience for some three  decades – as a communal colleague, as a business associate and most importantly as a friend.

When David asked me to join him in business, I told him that I knew very little about real estate.  “Don’t worry,” he replied. “You’ll be in the best university.”  And how right he was – not only about real estate but also about how to think, how to analyze issues, how to look at things out of the box – and how not to negotiate with yourself.

David’s success can in large part be attributed to the great confidence he had in himself and his positive upbeat outlook. He was very much a risk taker, but the risks he took were tempered by his business acumen and his sharp intuitive instinct.

When asked, during difficult times in Israel, he would always exclaim with great enthusiasm that the economy and the political situation are “terrific!”  During periods of real estate meltdowns he would proclaim “it’s a great time to make good deals!” 

For a good part of his career, he very much saw himself as an underdog –  which for him was an opportunity, not a negative or a distraction. His first shopping centre in Mississauga, Ont. for example, came about from a challenge from Sam Steinberg who wanted to open his first food store at that location in Ontario. Two developers had already failed to put the deal together. David took on the challenge, succeeded and the rest is history.

His cousin Fred Rezepka tells the story that one day while he and David were walking on the beach in Florida, David said he was thinking of building a mall in Israel and maybe that he, Fred, would like to join him. “Are you nuts?” Fred exclaimed.  “You’re in your 60s and you want to build 6,000 miles away where you don’t know the players or industry?”  Of course David went it alone, and the canions become part of Israel’s history.

David was a man of boundless energy.   When one of his recent mega projects was announced in Israel about a year ago, a journalist inquired whether the market would require so much space when it was completed in five to 10 years.  David, 91 at the time, immediately replied “I’ll tell you the truth.  At my age I don’t know whether I’ll be around then, but I can tell you that I am having so much fun designing and planning them that the future can take care of itself” 

In a very real sense, David was a Renaissance Man. His passion for his chosen vocation, building and architecture, did not diminish his love for music, for history, for current events and for art. I remember many car trips when David would catnap quietly and easily when a classical piece would pop out of the radio and he would snap up to advise Tchaikovsky, Symphony #6 and immediately and effortlessly nod off again. He likewise had a fine appreciation for art –and over the years he assembled a most impressive collection of the works of Israeli and other notable artists. 

Over the years one of the most impressive things I witnessed about his character was his relationship with his son Rafi.  Of course he was terribly proud of his talented daughters – the diva, Sharon, the doctor, Naomi and the lawyer, Danna, all of whom have all accomplished so much – all on their own – and who gave their father and mother the respect and due that our commandment demands.

His wife, Stephanie, is an exceptional woman. For some 57 years, at David’s side, she raised a wonderful family, efficiently managed multiple households – and entertained in all of them and even produced in the midst of the Caribbean waters, Passover seders on their yacht, The Galia.  

Finally “DJA”, as we affectionately called him, was a true mentor to me and to many with whom he worked and came into contact. I know that my friends and colleagues in Israel echo these sentiments as well. During my time with David, he was absolutely right.  I was indeed in a great university, not only learning about real estate but also about life, about the world around us and yes even about what not to do!

David Azrieli, while not a physically large person, certainly cast a large footprint – in his industry, on the skylines of his two homelands, on his family, and on those whose lives he touched. 

While his passing leaves a void, his legacy remains – not only his physical structures and his philanthropic endowments – but also his vision for the future and the lessons he imparted to those who come after him.

Todah rabah chaver.

Myer Bick is president and CEO of Jewish General Hospital Foundation. This article is adapted from the eulogy he delivered at Azrieli’s funeral on July 11 at Paperman and Sons funeral chapel in Montreal.