David Azrieli, a Canadian billionaire and Carleton alumnus and donor, died July 9 in Montreal. He was 92 years old.
He made several financial contributions to Carleton. Both the Azrieli Pavillion and Theatre are named in his honour.
After working in the field for years, Azrieli decided to go back to school for a masters degree in architecture at Carleton. He graduated at the age of 75, according to his official biography on his foundation’s website.
Roseann Runte, Carleton’s president, said Azrieli welcomed Carleton as a part of his adopted family.
“He made it possible for hundreds of students to enjoy a wonderful education at Carleton,” Runte said. “He truly cared about our students.”
Dena Libman, director of the Azrieli Foundation, provided a statement from Azrieli on his decision to donate to Carleton.
“I see my legacy today as the support of education through the foundation I created,” Azrieli said. “This is my vision now: to use the tangible rewards of my career in building and construction to create a legacy for education and educational institutions, in both of my two homelands.”
Azrieli also made several contributions to the David Azrieli School of Architecture at Tel Aviv University, named in his honour.
Runte said she deeply appreciated Azrieli’s generous support to the school.
“I will miss him personally,” said Runte. “And when I listen to Mahler I will always think of David Azrieli, a man of great courage, a Renaissance scholar, a fine and generous Canadian.”
A Holocaust survivor, Azrieli immigrated to Canada in 1954 to build a fortune now valued at over $3 billion.
In 1984, he was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1984 as well as named a Knight of the National Order of Quebec in 1999, according to his biography.
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