Epstein Family
The highlights of Jewish pioneer Harry Epstein’s biography are detailed in a 1933 publication, Prominent Jews of Canada:
“Harry Louis Epstein, Calgary, Alta., son of Moses Jacob and Feige Epstein, born 1866 in Kovna, where he received Hebrew training. Came to Canada in 1907, and is in business in Calgary since 1910.
“Secretary of Chevra Kadisha, past president of the Congregation, Zionist, Talmud Torah, past vice-president of Hebrew Free Loan, Jewish Relief; member of B’nai B’rith, Community Centre, etc.
“Is married to Marcia Bella (nee Geffen) and has four children: Rebecca, William, Solomon, Bessie.”
Harry Epstein ran the Grand cigar Store on 1st Street W. and 6th Avenue W.
The JHSSA Archives have information on only one of his children, William Epstein, born in Calgary in 1912, who studied law at the University of Alberta and won numerous academic honours, including a scholarship for post-graduate studies in England.
William Epstein practiced law briefly in Calgary, and in 1937 became the youngest barrister to ever appear in an appeal case before the Privy Council in London. During World War II he was a Captain in the Canadian Army, and ended the war as Secretary of the Canadian Claims Commission in London.
In 1946 Epstein was invited to join the first United Nations Secretariat, the UN Preparatory Commission. He served as a political officer with the UN mediator staff in Palestine and was for many years the Director of the Disarmament Affairs Division of the United Nations.
In 1971 he received the first honorary Doctor of Laws degree ever awarded by the University of Calgary. He was similarly honoured by the University of Alberta in 1984.
In 1990 William Epstein was made an Officer of the Order of Canada: the citation states. “A world-renowned expert on disarmament, he has worked with a passion to encourage international accord. A former international civil servant, a Senior Fellow of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, an influential speaker and writer, as well as an aggressive advocate for arms control, he continues to devote himself to the cause of universal peace.”