Date of death: March 7, 2021
Graveside funeral will be held on March 9, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Beth Jacob Cemetery, 1250 Snake Road, Burlington. There is also a streaming link to participate in the funeral services by clicking here.
KESSLER, Sydney – Passed away on Sunday night, March 7, 2021, cause of death unrelated to COVID. Dear son of the late Hyman and Celia Kessler. Beloved husband of Ellen. Loving father and father-in-law of Jacob and Janice, and Isaac. Zaide of Ariella Sarah, Ana Miriam, and Asher Michael. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Michael, David, Carol, and Lisa. Graveside funeral will be held on March 9, 2021 at 11:00 am EST at the Beth Jacob Cemetery, 1250 Snake Road, Burlington.
Shiva Direction & Info:
Leslie and York Mills, south of York Mills, east side of Leslie, off of Ballyronan Road.
Memorial donations may be made to National Advertising Benevolents Society, which Syd co-founded, and the Ontario Medical Foundation.
Please note: In an effort to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus, graveside services will be limited to a maximum of 50 persons (including Clergy) for the safety of mourners, funeral home and cemetery staff. Social distancing 2m (6′) is required unless you are of the same household. For those that wish to participate in the mitzvah of Kevura, gloves must be worn. Names and phone numbers will be requested. Thank you for your cooperation.
Dear Ellen, of course I think of you and Syd often and was shocked today to discover he had died last Spring, and somehow I had not known. Jacob has my email address if you ever want to connect. ‘Uncle’ Syd was a big presence in our lives when my boys were young and made a real difference. Love to you and the family.
Ellen, I was very sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. Although I did not know Syd, from these comments, and knowing who he was married to, it is clear that he was a wonderful wonderful man. I remember the years you and I overlapped at Heschel very fondly — learning from you as a caring and supportive colleague and from the loving and skillful way you inspired growth in the students. Your contributions continue to have an important and positive impact on the Heschel community. Ellen, please accept my heartfelt condolences — to you and to your family.
Dear Ellen and family, sending deepest condolences on your loss. May your memories sustain you.
My deepest condolences to Ellen, Isaac and Jacob. I was so saddened to hear of Syd’s passing. I have so many great memories of the time I worked for Syd as his Executive/Production Assistant in the late 80’s/early 90’s. But what I remember most was his generous heart. His creativity was an inspiration to so many people and his family and friends always came first. He touched the lives of so many people and will be greatly missed.
I am so very sorry for your loss Ellen, Jacob and Issac. I worked with Syd and he was larger than life, always had a story to share, and always expressed so much love for his family.
I was blessed and lucky enough to call Syd a friend, and will miss his kindness and great heart, immensely.
When we think about Syd, we think of 50 years of friendship – of warmth and spirit, of humour and wisdom. Syd introduced us over 40 years ago, and we’ve never forgave him. We want to say now that all is forgiven and that his incomparable laugh will echo in our hearts forever.
With love and condolences to Ellen, Isaac, Jacob and family.
Arlene and Jerry
To Syd Kessler’s family. Syd was always one of a kind. A big red headed giant pulling pranks in Talmud Torah, in the old Delaware JCC in Hamilton. He was always teasing me as a young child. He’d call me ‘cry baby’ into my early teens and I’d be mortified. In my later teens, I had bumped into him on a CNR train. He was the train conductor! We had a lovely conversation all the way to Toronto. A couple of years later, I was pleasantly surprised to encounter a brave and inspiring Syd. He had tried to return to Westdale Secondary School to complete his high school education and being somewhat older than his classmates, I was very impressed, as the community had not been kind to him prior to his dropping out.
Later, I had learned of his continued success in the entertainment sector and his wonderful milk jingles. I hadn’t seen him in many years but I was always so pleased and happy that he had the last laugh.
To his family, I’m sure he loved you all with a giant heart. May your memories sustain you for all time. May you be comforted with all the Mourners of Zion and Yerushalyim and know no more sorrow.
He will always be with you and may Hashem grant you the strength to endure this very sad loss.
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All,
I want to share a bit about Syd because the history of our company Mass Minority was sparked by Sydney and a company he had founded called Scientific Intelligence. Scientific Intelligence was something of a breakthrough on human behaviour and insights, and Christine and I loved working with the system. In fact we won a Cassie on Joe Boxer using SI.
SI was created by Syd, his wonderful son Jacob and business partner Wahn Yoon, another very intelligent person, who collectively taught me much about people and behaviour. Yet no one lit the match to want to be involved in the study of human behaviour like Syd did. He was so insightful on what motivated people from jingles to award winning ads to a book on raising children. Syd was like an Abba, Hebrew for Father, always learning and always teaching. Sydney founded many companies and created some of the most revelled ads ever made. He founded SuperCorps, in the 80s. It became a giant of a company overseen by a giant inspiration of a man. His mastery in Kabbalah, was in many ways what shaped who Syd was and likely explains his gift in insights.
My fondest memory of Syd was a business meeting with him at his home off Post Rd in the Bridle Path area. It was a contemporary home and nature was aloud to grow profoundly around it. It was suggested I bring my bathing suit for a swim later, but in fact that was the meeting. After changing, Syd handed me two floaty tubes and into the pool we went. We floated in that pool on our tubes for two hours, exploring the possible and impossible. That one meeting was the spark that would eventually become Mass Minority and the reason I wanted to share the loss of a dear friend, mentor, business and spiritual advisor.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Jacob, Ellen and family, my sincere condolences. I so enjoyed working with Syd when I was at Parachute. And I love the memory of visiting your home, sharing stories, and enjoying your gorgeous honey.
In deepest sympathy. Louise
I worked for Syd Kessler in the 80’s after being in the music and broadcasting industry my whole career. From the first moment I met this iconic producer, director, music man it became my new 24/7. He gave everyone who worked with him an opportunity to excel at what they did and to explore new challenges. Thanks for the opportunity and my sincere condolences to Ellen, Jacob, Issac. If we can all gather at some point I will then be able to add some humor and fun stories about those glorious days we all spent together. RIP Syd.
Ellen and Family, I am so saddened to hear of the passing of Syd. Although I only met him a couple of times, I found him both fascinating and giving. May the memories your created together help you through the difficult days ahead.
A great one is gone…Syd was larger than life. With Syd being a very close friend of my parents (he worked with my dad on many projects) there were so many wonderful visits to our home. We knew if Syd was coming over we would be having a lot of laughs and silliness, as well as great discussions. He taught us what barking spiders were! I’ll never forget that day! Syd loved for my 2 brothers and I to be part of the conversation whether it be business or fun, such respect for us young teens.
One year when our parents were away, Syd swooped in and took the 3 of us to the track for the day (giving the woman looking after us a day to herself) to bet on the horses. Given that we were young teens, we couldn’t bet so Syd had us choose our horses and he’d place the bets on our behalf, letting us keep our winnings. We found this to be very exciting! After the time at the track Syd ordered us each large pizzas (large was really big back then) so we could each have exactly what we wanted on them. We thought this was hilarious and so extravagant! Syd was living large and having a great time, making sure we had the same experience. We had a hilarious time with Syd that day. This is one of the many great times I remember from spending time with Syd. When I married, Paul finally met Syd and his larger than life personality. He was blown away. Syd and Ellen were always very welcoming to us, making Paul feel part of this special Marcus/Kessler group.
May his memory be a blessing.
Our deepest condolences to Ellen, Jacob, Issac and families.
Debbie and Paul
Having known Syd Kessler as a friend for 50-years is a memory treasure. I feel privileged to have been fortunate to know such a giant of a man. My Sister Carol and I met Syd in 1971when we moved to Toronto from the States. Syd introduced us to his friends and life started to happen for the newcomers. Syd was bigger than life, had the wisdom of Solomon, ultra generous and kind. So intuitive and smart, but best of all humorous with a great laugh and twinkle in his eyes. While we weren’t in touch over these past years, Syd was often in my thoughts and fun stories. Relatives who met Syd 40 years ago continued to ask after him. Once you met Syd, you could never forget him. He touched souls. Syd was magical, totally unique in the most positive sense of the word. What a positive force he brought to the world. Condolences to dear Ellen, Jacob and Issac and family. May Syd rest in peace.
I was so saddened to hear of Syd’s passing. Some of my fondest memories are of working with he and Salim in setting up, establishing, and building The Animation House during our first six years. Already a legend when I first met him, I marveled at Syd’s creative genius, appreciated his approachability and generosity as a mentor, and have cherished his friendship and support over the years. So thankful we were able to lunch together just before the pandemic. I will miss that twinkle in his eyes and his musical laughter. Sending my deepest condolences to Ellen, Jacob and Isaac, and to all of his many close friends and family. RIP Syd, you will be missed by so many, we are thankful for your legacy and our many memories to share.
Syd Kessler was my boss for several years at Sounds Interchange in Toronto, Canada. A World class recording complex that defined the evolution of recording arts and sciences. A HUGE mentor to all who worked with him and for him. He was always a Catalyst, AIR, Humour, enlightenment and entertaining with the most unique laugh that was loved by all. RIP Syd – Your birds are singing today and forever. My Sincere Condolences to Ellen, Jacob and Issac.
Syd was special, magic, bigger than the life we all lived. We were very close for a long time (we loved him) but have not seen each other for many years, never forgotten and so many stories I have told many times to many people. Lina and I send our love to Ellen and Jake and Isaac, we send our prayers and a piece f our hearts to Syd. He will never be duplicated.
Who was this guy? Red hair and unruly beard, crazy laugh, and great smile. He’d pull up in his Honda civic, unannounced (at least as far as us kids knew) and join us for a big family weekend breakfast. Then we’d hit the basement for some serious ping pong, leaving mom and dad to do the clean up.
Those first few years we saw quite a bit of Syd. He was always interested in what we were us kids were doing, always up for a good story and a laugh.
I remember meeting Ellen for the first time, seeing how much they clicked. Lucky guy.
Back in art college, looking for a subject for a photo assignment, Syd was happy to have me be a fly on the wall and shoot a session back in his first studio.
I remember sitting on the front porch with Syd as he told us about purchasing what what he made – with the help of some super talented people – into Canada’s hottest commercial recording studio. The guy had balls.
Later Syd offered me a summer job at Sounds Interchange and even hired a friend of mine who was trying to break into the music business.
Introducing my wife to Syd was an experience she will never forget. Syd walking around in his flowing robe, being loud, being fun, being Syd.
A couple of years back Syd and I went out for lunch, along with his brother who was up visiting. I hadn’t seen Syd for years. He still had the twinkle in his eye, still had his warm, inviting giggly laugh.
Thank you Syd, we love you.
My sincere condolences to Ellen, Jacob, Isaac and all Syd’s family. May the multitude of stories and memories support and sustain you as you grieve. Never stop sharing those stories.
I first met Syd when he was doing his agency gig at Cockfield Brown in the early 70’s – a striking force of energy from the first meeting. A few years later when he launched his audio production company I was among his first clients and he was pure magic. He could see and hear audio in a completely different way, his creativity was boundless and he had enthusiasm and passion to match. Don’t think he ever failed to persuade and enthuse in a presentation. He recognized, hired and nurtured remarkable talent like David Fleury, Robert Armes, Jody Colero, Rick Shurman and many more. And then he went on to create Supercorp a production entity unheard of in our industry. Always filled with ideas, passion and incredible business savvy.
His love of family, of people of creativity was boundless and his remarkable energy and passion would infect all he came across. May he now rest in peace and those closes to him know he lives on in all of them by what he gave and shared with them. Hugs to all. Lesley
Dear Ellen, Jacob and Isaac, my sincerest condolences. I just heard. Sid’s larger than life. One the most intelligent, kind, creative and sensitive people I have had the pleasure of knowing and interacting with. May his memory/energy be a blessing to us all.
Dear Jacob, sorry to learn of Syd’s passing. Syd was a mentor and a friend. I was so lucky to know him and to learn from him. I truly enjoyed from his creative spirit!
Sending my love to you and the family.
Syd will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate to know him. May the ache in your hearts ease into happy memories. I will remember Syd with great fondness. Deepest sympathy.
Risa xo
I want to extend my deepest condolences to Ellen, Jacob, Issac and the Kessler family.
I have never attended a service with such a special energy, and I know that everyone who knew Syd was blessed by a special man
Dear Ellen, Isaac and Jacob
I am sorry for your loss. May your memories be a blessing.
Love Barbara Kessler
24 hours later, I still cannot really put into words how much I admired Mr. Kessler. When I received the news, I went blank. So many emotions and thoughts running through my mind. I was numb and I hardly knew him. That should tell you all you need to know. The impact this larger than life teddy bear had on people speaks volumes.
He provided me with an incredible opportunity that transformed my career. I will be forever grateful for that opportunity. I always felt deep down he was my biggest fan from a far.
We did not speak as often as I would have liked, however, when we did catch up through an e-mail here or there or at the family house for tea, I cherished those moments the most. So much learning, laughter and love.
I lost one of my biggest idols in life.
My deepest condolences to Mrs. Kessler, Jacob, Janice & Issac.
xoxoxoxo
Ramin