VANCOUVER – Manual J. Saperstein, founder of Whistler Cable, died on Saturday at Vancouver General Hospital due to complications following heart surgery.
Despite the relative size (about 8,000 subscribers or so) and isolation of his cable company, Saperstein was known across Canada for his technical know-how and willingness to take risks. It’s not well known that Whistler Cable was one of the very first to experiment with voice over Internet protocol telephony in 2005.
According to former Delta Cable president John Thomas, Saperstein was "the ‘engineering consultant to Western Cable interests’, and largely responsible for the establishment, from an engineering perspective, of the microwave network that was established to bring 3+1 (distant TV) services to the Interior of B.C.," Thomas wrote in an e-mail.
"Similar systems in Alberta and in the Maritimes were also established with Manny’s involvement," added Thomas.
"He also played an important role in the establishment of a microwave network that ultimately tied eight Lower Mainland cable systems to a central receiving site."
The Saperstein family (son Ron ran Whistler Cable, which also served Pemberton) sold to Shaw in September 2006.
"Manny will be remembered as a very colourful and interesting chap whom was always prepared to accept whatever challenges he was presented with," said Thomas.
Saperstein’s funeral will be held at Schara Tzedek cemetery (2345 Marine Drive, New Westminster, BC V3M 6R8) on Tuesday July 17, 2007 at 12 p.m. with a reception at 4328 Locarno Crescent in Vancouver, Shiva will be held nightly Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm at the same address.
