Sylvia was born in Calgary in the 1920’s, middle child of Morris and Bessie Shapiro. Things were tight in her youth as her parents, recent immigrants from Russia, toiled to build a periodicals distribution business. Raised amid a large clan of Shapiro and Shumiatcher aunts, uncles and cousins, Sylvia, sister Judy and brother Larry were all musical and encouraged to perform.
Sylvia studied at the University of Toronto (BA 1950). There she met and married Jack Grant with whom she had three sons, Jordan, Peter, and Jeremy. After winning a CBC talent competition she launched her career as a mezzo soprano. She sang (as Sylvia Grant) with the Canadian, New York and Houston opera companies, performing leading parts in grand and light operas. In the 1960’s, she left singing, divorced, and became a schoolteacher, while supporting her boys in all their aspirations. She maintained serious interests in music and art throughout her life.
Serendipity brought Sylvia and Bob together through sons Peter and David, already best friends. Wedding bells soon rang. Bob and Sylvia spent nearly 50 happy, eventful years together. In the 1980’s they moved to Victoria where Bob started from scratch, selling specialty golf products from the trunk of his car.
A Scarborough boy of Italian and Irish descent, Bob was a top golfer, qualifying for the Canadian Open at age 17. Expected to turn pro, he instead began a family with his first wife, Diane. Twins Robert and Michael were followed by David and Mary. He worked in his in laws’ family business, ultimately managing and expanding it. Bob’s lifelong interest in business psychology and human development was sparked there. He pursued a BA at night and later a Masters. He derived immense satisfaction from mentoring employees and creating opportunities for growth in the workplace.
Bob kept one eye to the cosmos, the other on man-made suffering, yet maintained great faith in human potential and a mischievous sense of humour. He was a wise counsellor who pursued the big questions of existence. Sylvia was an intent listener, a succinct, savvy purveyor of wisdom and support, and a life-long learner. She was a devoted daughter, sister, and aunt. Both Sylvia and Bob were wise and loving champions of all their children and grandchildren.
In Victoria they built Tiger Golf, Canadian distributor for Callaway Golf and Bobby Jones Apparel, working long hours together. After retirement they travelled widely. They endured the trials of aging with dignity and courage. Theirs was a great love story and they were the best of friends. They will be missed fiercely and remembered always by surviving relatives, and many others whose lives they touched.
Sylvia left this world in 2024 on her own terms with the help of the Royal Jubilee M.A.I.D. team, with her three sons at her side. Bob left us in 2020, quietly organizing his own game plan, saying ‘to h— with this!’, while alone in a locked-down hospital. Peace be upon them both.
The Jewish Cemetery of Victoria, British Columbia 