Henry Arthur Gluch 1959-2023

HENRY ARTHUR GLUCH 1959-2023

Henry passed away peacefully at home on March 12, 2023 at the age of 63, surrounded by his immediate family, after a stoic 11-month battle with cancer. He is survived and deeply missed by the loves of his life, wife Madeleine and sons Conrad and Alexander; sister Elizabeth (Kenneth) and brother Zenek (Marie-Josée); brother-in-law John; nieces, nephews, their partners, and great nieces; family members in Canada and Poland, and a circle of dear and loving friends.

The second child of Jan Gluch and Genowefa Gryn, Polish World War II survivors, Henry was born and raised in Montreal. Those who loved him feel Henry lived many lives. He was a man of action – leading family and friends in pickle and sauerkraut making (his legendary pickles fetched high prices at silent auctions), adored by his sons for playing hookie Friday afternoons to take them mountain bike racing and for creating odd snacks (snack man). He was driven to solving the predicaments of those closest to him rationally, and was deeply attached to his siblings, extended family, and lifelong friends. His unique brand of friendship – faithful, unwavering, never judgmental – and his invariably wise counsel enriched the lives of all who knew him.

Music was Henry’s lifelong passion – early on he formed the White Eagles Band to play for Montreal’s Polish community, studied saxophone at McGill receiving a Bachelors of Music in performance (legit and jazz) in 1984, and toured with the Munich Quintet. In Toronto, he made ties and supported causes through music, co-founded the Advocats Big Band, gigged with the Tokyo Giants, and played soprano with DMSQ (coffee and Baileys included). He instilled this passion in his sons, who carry on his legacy in their own chosen professions.

Henry was an ardent student and practitioner of the law, and Madeleine would often remind him at dinner to pause and take a first bite, as he regaled her with his thoughts on solicitor-client privilege. He received a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1987, and had a sterling career with the Justice Canada Tax Law Services Section (once voted as the guy others would most like to be stranded with on a desert island). He ultimately served as Deputy Assistant Deputy Minister before retiring as Senior General Counsel in 2019, and continued as a consultant where he embraced his role as mentor.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to health workers and caregivers for their dedicated and tireless assistance, and for everyone’s steadfast support during Henry’s illness.

Henry will be remembered for his inimitable style  – picture burnt-orange corduroy three piece suit  – which we will honour at a memorial celebration of his wonderful life, to be announced in the coming weeks on this memorial site.

For those who would like to make a donation in his memory, the family has selected a local organisation in support of music education –

Sistema-Toronto.ca/Donate

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