David Barzilay

With immense sadness, the family announces David’s passing on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Loving husband of Sandra Zelikovic with whom he spent 46 wonderful years. Cherished father of Uriel and Jessica Barzilay, and Joshua Barzilay. Proud and adoring Saba of Maya, Dylan and Jacob. Son of the late Jacques Massarano and the late Mathilde Barzilay who perished in the Holocaust; and son-in-law of the late Herman and the late Esther Zelikovic. Dear brother-in-law of Helen and Harry Liberman, and Allan Zelikovic and Wendy Sheinberg. David will be sorely missed by his nephews Nathan, Harry and Richard Barzilay. David will also be missed by his many dear nephews, extended family and the friends he made all over the world from Toronto to Mexico to Tel Aviv.

David was born in Salonika, Greece at the height of the holocaust. At only 8 days old, after his Brit Mila and at the behest of the family patriarch Nathan Barzilay, he was separated from his young parents and was miraculously smuggled out of the Jewish ghetto by his uncle Moise who undertook the responsibility to save the young David at great risk to them both. Many persons had a hand in assisting to save the young David from the terrible fate that awaited his parents and family. After the war, David was raised by his uncles Moise and Richard, the latter having adopted him. David lived in British mandate Palestine, France, Canada, Venezuela, Spain and Israel before finally settling in Canada where he met his dearest Sandra and started a family. David’s story is one of great perseverance, resilience and ambition. Despite the hardships endured by him and his family he was as determined an individual as any and nothing prevented him from accomplishing the many goals he set for himself, be they learning new languages, competing in marathons and triathlons, completing a Ph.D., outperforming the S&P 500, compiling photo books for friends and family, but most of all, loving Sandra and raising his two sons and doting on his grandkids.

Funeral service from Paperman and Sons, 3888 Jean-Talon St. W., on Thursday, July 30, at 2:00 p.m. Burial at the Tifereth Jerusalem #3 (C21) Section, Baron de Hirsch Cemetery, de la Savane. Shiva at his home.  Contributions in his memory may be made to the Montreal Holocaust Museum (514) 345-2605 or click here.

David was and will continue to be an inspiration to the many friends and people who knew him and he will be forever missed.