Phil Givens' tribute to Sam Shopsowitz

Part Of: Philip Givens fonds; City of Toronto Mayor series; Official engagements sub-series; Variety Club luncheon for Sam Shopsowitz file

Part Of: Philip Givens fonds; City of Toronto Mayor series; Official engagements sub-series; Variety Club luncheon for Sam Shopsowitz file

Admin History/Bio: Sam was born on 11 April 1921 to Harry and Jennie. He married Lillian Pearlstein, and they had three children named Shari, Noah, and Alane. Harry and Jennie Shopsowitz started the family business, Shopsy's Delicatessen, in 1921. The first location was on Spadina Avenue at Dundas Street and was initially an ice-cream parlour, although they quickly converted it into a delicatessan in 1922. Shopsy's became an institution in the city where the likes of Bob Hope, Al Waxman, Dennis Hull, and Scotty Bowman were regular customers. Harry's three sons took over the business in 1947. The brothers, Sam and Israel, expanded the business by packaging and distributing their hotdogs and corned beef to grocery stores. Sam Shopsowitz, the more gregarious of the two brothers, was known as the "Corned Beef King." Sam Shopsowitz's affiliations included: founding member of YW-YMHA; executive crew of the Varsity Club of Ontario; Honorary Director, St. Alban's Boys Sports Club; Honorary Member, Ontario Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association; and member of, Associated Hebrew School of Toronto, B'nai Brith, Herzl Zion Club, and Palestine Lodge.

Scope and Content: Item is a photograph of Phil Givens delivering a speech in honour of Sam Shopsowitz (seated with pipe in mouth).

Repro Restriction: Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.