*** Welcome to piglix ***

Izzy Asper

Israel Asper
OC OM QC
Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party
In office
1970–1975
Preceded by Robert Bend
Succeeded by Charles Huband
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Wolseley
In office
1972–1975
Preceded by Leonard Claydon
Succeeded by Robert Wilson
Personal details
Born Israel Harold Asper
(1932-08-11)August 11, 1932
Minnedosa, Manitoba
Died October 7, 2003(2003-10-07) (aged 71)
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Nationality Canadian
Political party Liberal
Spouse(s) Ruth "Babs" Asper
Children David, Gail, and Leonard
Alma mater University of Manitoba
Occupation Lawyer, politician, media owner
Religion Judaism

Israel Harold "Izzy" Asper, OC OM QC (August 11, 1932 – October 7, 2003) was a Canadian tax lawyer and media magnate. He was the founder of the now defunct CanWest Global Communications Corp and father to its former CEO and President Leonard Asper, former director and corporate secretary Gail Asper, as well as former Executive Vice President David Asper. He was also the leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party from 1970 to 1975 and is credited with the idea and vision to establish the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Israel Asper was born to a Jewish family in Minnedosa, Manitoba, the son of musicians Leon Asper and Cecilia Swet, who had emigrated from Ukraine. Asper attended the University of Manitoba. In 1957 he received his law degree from the University of Manitoba, and was called to the bar shortly thereafter. He founded the firm of Asper, Freedman & Co. in 1959, and was also a partner and co-founder of the firm Buchwald, Asper, Henteleff (now Pitblado LLP)along with Harold Buchwald and Yude Henteleff. In 1970 he wrote The Benson Iceberg: A critical analysis of the White Paper on Tax Reform in Canada.

He married Ruth Miriam "Babs" Asper on May 27, 1956 at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue (Winnipeg).


...
Wikipedia

...