TORONTO -- About 1,100 friends, family and fans packed Holy Blossom Temple yesterday afternoon, to bid farewell to a man many described as a real Canadian hero.

Most people entering the synagogue for the 2 p.m. service yesterday said they were stunned by Waxman's death.

Actor Brent Carver said Waxman had dropped by only a few days ago, to see him in the Canadian Stage production of Carol Shields' Larry's Party.

"We had just the most wonderful chat and he was in great spirits, as was Sara," he said.

Carver, who spoke to The Toronto Sun on his way out of the synagogue, said he considered Waxman "a terrific friend."

Waxman, who was described as a "proud Canadian, proud actor, proud Jew," at the service, talked with Carver about the singer/actor's successful stint in a revival of Fiddler On The Roof at Stratford last summer.

Carver said Waxman told him he was really looking forward to returning to Stratford himself this summer to play Shylock, in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.

A Stratford 2001 program and visitor's guide featuring a promotional picture of Waxman suited-up for the role, arrived at homes of previous Stratford visitors within the last week.

'The greatest loss'

"It's just really the greatest loss. But his spirit is just transcendent, as his son said," Carver added.

Producer/writer Morgan Earl summed up the feelings of many when he said: "I just can't believe he's gone. For me, he's not. He was a very inspirational guy."

Canadian actor Graham Greene said Waxman was the kind of professional who threw himself fully into a role.

"He loved his work, he loved what he did. He'll be sorely missed," Greene said as he entered the synagogue.

Former Sun Media CEO and onetime Metro Chairman Paul Godfrey said the death is a "major shock and a major loss for all of Canada.

"Here was a man that found goodness and something positive in every human being that he came in contact with," said Godfrey, now president of the Blue Jays baseball team.

"He didn't see the glass half full, he saw it totally full, because that's the way his view of the world was."

"He's one of our real Canadian heroes in the acting field, and he brought great prestige to Canada, prestige to himself and his family, but most of all his great love of the country came through loud and clear," Godfrey added.

Waxman's simple light oak casket was saluted by an honour guard of Toronto Police officers as it was brought out after the service.


More Artists