Andrew (Endre) Pressburger

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Andrew on Sunday January 7, 2024, at the age of 88. Andrew passed peacefully at St. Joseph’s Health Centre Toronto, surrounded by loving family.

He leaves behind daughter Natalie Pressburger and grandson Tobias Wellington, son Howard Pressburger (Shana Sandler), nephew Andrea Pressburger (Valentina Ghiradari), niece Basha Nemeskeri (Tony Bishop) and grand-nieces Sofie and Sara, and nephew Thomas Nemeskeri (Claire Orange) and grand-nieces Anna and Halle. Predeceased by his younger siblings Giorgio, Nicola, and Agnes.

Born in Budapest, Hungary on March 21, 1935, Andrew’s early life was shaped by his country’s occupiers. Andrew and his family were fortunate to be spared the horrors of the concentration camps under the Nazi regime, by the efforts of Giorgio Perlasca. Under the oppression of the Communist regime Andrew persevered to become one of his country’s top scholars in both high school and university. In 1956, as the Hungarian Revolution began, Andrew and his brothers fled their homeland. His brothers settled in Italy, and Andrew in Canada, where he finished his studies at Huron College (now Huron University), at the University of Western Ontario.

Andrew’s family life and career flourished in Toronto, where he spent 30 years teaching history, among other subjects, at Victoria Park Collegiate Institute. His enthusiasm for intellectual pursuits drove students to success, many of whom kept in touch with him throughout his lifetime. A tireless proponent and organizer of high school tournaments, he was also the coach of the chess team - a passion he pursued in his own right, earning multiple club champion titles and maintaining a 2000+ chess rating, until his death. He was also a determined athlete, a member of the UWO soccer team, lover of daily calisthenics, marathon runner, and after an injury in his mid 70s, a relentless rider of the stationary bicycle.

A favourite pastime of Andrew’s was enjoying symphony, opera, and art. When Andrew moved into a retirement residence, he contributed to his new community by presenting a weekly salon dedicated to classical music and opera. Beset with chronic health issues over the past four years, Andrew faced these challenges with humour and grace. Making new friends with his doctors and support teams, he touched people’s lives right up to the end. He will be missed by many people from all walks of life. A supporter of the underdog, a free thinker and a skeptic, his quiet strength is an example for us all.

It was Andrew’s wish that his funeral be a simple and private matter. At this time a memorial gathering has not been planned, but anyone interested can inquire at andrewpressburger@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Huron University at the University of Western Ontario, or The St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation.