Legendary boxing promoter Irv Ungerman dies at 92; was generous Gravenhurst donor
GRAVENHURST — Legendary Toronto boxing promoter and Pine Lake cottager Irv Ungerman has died.
He was 92.
Gravenhurst real estate agent Mary Gauthier, a friend and development partner, sent along this notice this morning.
“My good friend Irving Ungerman passed away last night,” she said in an email.
“He had a stroke last Sunday and was in Toronto General Hospital.”
She said he published an autobiography this summer and it is an absolutely wonderful read on his life called “Think and Respect, Irving Ungerman, Memoirs.”
Ungerman’s philosophy — or secret to success was “think and respect.”
Mary Gauthier and her “mentor” Irv Ungerman this summer at his book launch.
“You have to think carefully what your about to do and you have to give a great deal of respect to the people you do the things with,” he often said.
Ungerman is the last one of his siblings to pass with 4 brothers, Harry, Jack, David, Karl, and 2 sisters, Betty Wasser, Ida Wolfe.
The family owned the Gateway Hotel an the north end of Gravenhurst after the PoW camp closed following the Second World War.
He is survived by his lovely wife Sylvia. They had been married for 69 years.
Irv Ungerman, second left, and his family toast his new book at the Bethune Bistro this summer.
And by children: Howard ( Cindy) Ungerman, Shelley ( Sydney) Sukerman,
Temmi ( David) Sears, 7 Grandchildren: Darren, Lauren, Jordan, Jaclyn, Jeremy, Dylan, and Ilana.4 Great Grandchildren: Avner, Eytan, Ronen, and Micah Felix
Ungerman’s lifetime accomplishments were many in business, Real Estate, his love of sports, especially hockey and boxing.
He managed many boxers, such as Clyde Gray and George Chuvalo, who went 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali at Maple Leaf Gardens in March 1966.
He has had a cottage at Pine Lake here in Gravenhurst for over 50 years.
It’s where he could enjoy relaxing with family and the many visitors who would just drop by.
Rocky Marciano evened stayed over night at his cottage when Archie Moore, Rocky’s friend was training at the Joe Gawa Motel on Bethune by Gull Lake Park.
Gauthier, who knew him well as a friend and mentor, says “Mr. Ungerman was a special person who having been successful in his life, wanted to help others to do the same.
“He gave to so many charities and people over his lifetime, because he could and he enjoyed being able to do it.
“I will miss his weekly calls to ask what’s happening in Gravenhurst and at Gateway on the Bay.”
Ungerman said in his book that “I’m in my element when it comes to wheeling and dealing. I don’t let things happen; I make things happen.”
He donated 8 acres of land to the Town of Gravenhurst that overlooks Lake Muskoka. The Town named the park Ungerman Gateway Park.
And he was a big supporter of the Toronto Santa Claus parade and various other charities and sports in Toronto.
For funeral arrangements: http://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/Home.aspx
Memorial donations ” Youth at Heart, Town of Gravenhurst or your own favourite charity.
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