Simon Ophir
October 7, 2024
October 7, 2024
October 7, 2024
Zion (Simon) Ophir was born to Zechariah and Dvora Shmaya in December 1930, shortly after their arduous journey from Sana’a, Yemen to Jerusalem. He was named after the city of his birth, and remained a journeyer all his life. Raised in a large family in old Jerusalem, Zion joined the independence movement and the struggle for a Jewish homeland in 1948.
He survived fierce fighting and a POW camp, returning a veteran and a changed man at just 18 years old. Declining to finish high school, he educated himself while working at the library of the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus, reading voraciously across all subjects, and studying palmistry, theosophy, spiritual traditions, and English, which he saw as the language of the future.
In 1966 he emigrated to Canada, where his confirmed bachelorhood proved no match for the charming British nurse he met in Toronto. He married Pamela Eaton in 1967, and by 1972 was a father of four. They settled in Vancouver in 1978. Feeling keenly the suffering and injustice of this world, Zion was a seeker and a lifelong student of history, politics, philosophy, and spirituality. Through translation work, counselling, and conversation, he shared his insights with many. It must also be said that he loved a good joke, savoured incisive political cartoons, and cherished beautiful lines of poetry.
Though suffering ill-health in his last years, he maintained that there was “eternal spring” inside, and that he was still learning even on the last day of his life. On October 7, 2024, Zion embraced death as a return home, assuring us that we will meet again.
He was predeceased by his brother Avram. He is survived by Pamela, his wife of 57 years; his children Judith (Huitt), Martha (Marc), Ella (Zach), Asa (Raysa); four grandchildren (Anneka, Leah, Adam, Martha); four siblings (Azriel, Reuven, Noga, Herzl); his childhood friend and de facto brother Yehiel Ozery; and many nieces and nephews. The family is deeply grateful to the staff at Cavell Gardens, and to Dr. Ellen Wiebe.
You are invited to leave a personal message for the family.