PHOENIX – Israel “Sruki” Switzer will be laid to rest on Monday, November 21 in Calgary after passing away at his home in Phoenix earlier this week at the age of 87.
As Cartt.ca reported Wednesday, Switzer was a pioneer in the Canadian cable television industry and widely regarded as one of Canada's most knowledgeable cable technology engineers.
Below is Switzer’s obituary from his family as well as details of his funeral.
Israel “Sruki” Switzer, 87, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday November 16, 2016 at his winter home in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Born June 29, 1929 in Calgary, Alberta, Switzer was a pioneer in the Canadian cable television industry. As a visionary in the telecommunications field, he traveled the world consulting on projects from Hong Kong to Los Angeles to New Zealand. At home in Canada, he played a pivotal role in the building of CITY-TV in Toronto with his first wife, Phyllis Switzer, who predeceased him in 1989. As a young man he was an amateur photographer and a private pilot, passions which continued throughout his long life. He also maintained his interest in technology even after his retirement, building custom computers for friends and family.
He was a kind and generous man who will be sadly missed by his wife, Bryna Switzer, his children Jay Switzer and wife Ellen Dubin, Chiara Switzer, and Sharon Switzer and partner Lori Newdick, as well as his nieces and nephews to whom he was a loving uncle, stepchildren including Brian Park and wife Nancy, and the many friends and colleagues he had gathered over the years.
Sruki will be buried in Calgary on Monday, November 21, 2016; see chevraofcalgary.org for exact time and place. Donations in memoriam can be made to Temple Bnai Tikvah of Calgary or the Phyllis R Switzer Memorial Scholarship at Ryerson University.
