George Radwanski

February 28, 1947

Baden-Baden, Germany

Sunset

September 18, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

RADWANSKI, George Roman

George Radwanski died suddenly at home on Thursday, September 18 at the age of 67. A greatly loving and loved father to Adam and father-in-law to Claire, he lived a remarkable and inspiring life. George grew up in Montreal after immigrating from Europe with his parents, made his mark at McGill as a champion debater (a talent that never left him) and was among the most accomplished journalists of his generation. He covered stories ranging from the FLQ Crisis and the Munich Olympics to John Lennon's bed-in, reported extensively from the Soviet Union, was a political columnist while still in his twenties, wrote a best-selling biography of Pierre Trudeau, and was the youngest editor-in-chief in the history of the Toronto Star. While at the Star, George won back-to-back National Newspaper Awards for editorial writing. After leaving journalism he remained at the forefront of Canada's public policy debate - authoring landmark reports for the Ontario government, advising former prime minister Jean Chretien, and serving as Privacy Commissioner of Canada - and was unfailingly committed to the betterment of his country. In later years, despite professional disappointments, he maintained an infectious love of life - from good food to live music to cheering on his beloved Toronto Argonauts. But his greatest passion was for his family and close friends, who cherished his warmth, his generosity, his compassion and his mentorship. He is gone far too soon, but his memory will be kept alive by those whose lives he helped to shape.

Visitation at Giffen-Mack Funeral Home, 2570 Danforth Ave. on Monday, Sept. 22 from 6-8 p.m. Funeral service at Holy Name Parish, 71 Gough Ave. (at Danforth) on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in George's memory may be made to Woodgreen Community Services.