From the family:
It is with heavy hearts our family announces that on Friday, February 3, at Kensington Hospice, Joseph Green passed away after a year of fighting renal and bladder cancer.
Joe is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rhoda Green, and his sons, Michael Neil and Marc Steven. Joe also leaves behind his daughter-in-law Arlene Hazzan Green, and three grandchildren, Stephanie Rachel Green, Renee Jordan Green, and Doran Sergei Hazzan Green; his sister- and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Paul Friedman; brother Harry Green; nieces Debbie, Leslie and nephew Don Green, and nephews Steven and David Friedman.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Joe received his Ph.D in Dramatic Theory and Rhetoric from Indiana University in 1964 and his BA in Theatre from Temple University, Philadelphia, in 1956. Joe taught at The University of Louisville, Indiana University South Bend, and Hunter College, before coming to Toronto’s York University in 1968. Subsequently, he became a proud Canadian citizen. He served as Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts, from 1973 until 1980, working to establish the departments of Visual Art, Dance, Film, Music and Theatre, as well as The York Winds Ensemble and the York Theatre Review.
Joe brought onto the Faculty numerous Canadian icons, including Mavor Moore (“Mr. Theatre”), while also establishing the York Performance Artists Series at Burton Auditorium, showcasing artists Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Alan Ginsberg, Tom Wolfe and Henry Moore, to name but a few. Many of Joe’s former students and faculty appointments have gone on to fill important positions in Toronto, across Canada and beyond.
Green helped found, and served as Director of, York's MBA Program in Arts Administration and later served as Chair of the Board of Directors of CulTech Collaborative Research Centre. He has served as a consultant for the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, Canada Council, the Ontario Arts Council, New York State Council on the Arts, the American Theatre Association and the National Association of Schools of Theatre. Joe also developed the initial proposals for the York Master of Fine Arts degrees.
When he took early retirement in 1994, Joe held the rank of full Professor in the Faculties of Fine Arts (Theatre), Arts (Humanities) and Administrative Studies (Policy and Strategy). In addition to his academic career, Joe was producer of many stage and TV productions. Notably, he developed, along with Gordon Hinch, the mini-series Glory Enough for All, which won a record-setting nine Gemini awards.
As Chair of Democrats Abroad (Canada), and international Voter Registration Chair, Joe worked to bring in the democratic vote to Americans across the globe. For his local community, he served on the boards of the Toronto Garden District Residents’ Association, and the Canadian Senior Artists’ Resource Network.
Joseph’s last legacy was the CBC interview: Joe Green Speaks of Life, Death andLove (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX4UuIvT4DI ).
Joe inspired many people with the grace, acceptance and openness he displayed while facing life’s final stages. He passed peacefully, with his family at his side.
We will be eternally grateful for the extraordinary care and compassion of doctors, nurses, staff, and volunteers at Kensington Hospice, which allowed Joe to live in comfort for many more months than expected.
Funeral service:
Sunday February 5th, 2017, 11:00 am, at
Benjamin’s Memorial Chapel, 2401 Steeles Ave. West, Toronto.
Graveside service will follow at
The Toronto Necropolis, 200 Winchester Street in Riverdale, Toronto.
Shiva will take place, at the residence of Rhoda Green
130 Carleton Sreet., suite 509 (please check in with security), on
Sunday (4pm to 8pm), Monday and Tuesday (2 – 4 and 7 – 9pm), and
Wednesday (7 – 9pm)
Details can be found, Saturday evening, on Benjamin’s Joseph Green memorial page: http://bit.ly/2jL7dXB
Joseph and Rhoda would appreciate donations be made, in lieu of flowers, in Joe’s memory to:
Kensington Hospice
38 Major Street,
Toronto, ON M5S 2L1
416-963-9640 ext. 1400