Concordia mourns passing of Leonard Ellen
Leonard Ellen, one of Concordia University’s most cherished friends and supporters, died on March 13 in Florida. Ellen is survived by his wife of nearly seven decades, Bina, as well as their three daughters and large extended family.
“The loss of Leonard Ellen will be felt deeply throughout Concordia and Montreal,” says Concordia President Alan Shepard. “When I arrived here last year, Leonard and Bina were among the first to graciously welcome me into their home. He showed me what others already knew: Leonard Ellen was a true gentleman who was passionate about our university and his city.”
Ellen’s commitment to his adopted institution began in 1986 when he joined Concordia’s Board of Governors. He soon became a member of its capital campaign committee and, in 1992, one of the Concordia University Foundation’s first directors.
“Leonard championed Concordia in its formative years,” says Norman Hébert Jr., Chair of the Board. “He was a pillar of our community and a great bridge builder. Leonard engaged and encouraged his considerable network of friends and contacts to become the university’s future leaders. He was instrumental in establishing the foundation. It’s one of his great legacies.”
Born in Montreal on September 23, 1925, Ellen married Bina Margolese in 1945. He started his career in pharmaceutical and clothing sales and became chairman of Leonard Ellen Canada Inc. in 1954. He moved into the wholesale lumber industry and investments and led his company to significant business success.
Ellen also became an extraordinary philanthropist and volunteer. In 1985, he established the Leonard Ellen Family Foundation, which has since backed many charitable and public causes, including Jewish organizations, health and community services and education.
He is also a past president of Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital, was very involved with the Montreal Neurological Institute and generously donated his time to many other volunteer boards.
Avid art collectors, the Ellens were inspired to make an instrumental donation to support Concordia’s art gallery when it relocated to the J.W. McConnell Building in 1992. In honour of their role, it was renamed the Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery.
“We are extremely fortunate that Leonard Ellen chose to expand his love of culture and education to the development of Concordia,” says Marie Claire Morin, the university’s vice-president of Advancement and Alumni Relations. “There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do to help move Concordia forward.”
Through the years, Ellen contributed to a long list of university campaigns, scholarships and bursaries, among other areas of support.
Concordia honoured him with a number of accolades. Ellen was appointed Governor Emeritus in 2000 and received an honorary degree from Concordia in 2003.
He also received a Faculty of Commerce (now John Molson School of Business) Award of Distinction in 1991, an Honorary Life Membership from the Concordia University Alumni Association in 1994 and a Faculty of Fine Arts Award of Distinction in 2002. He was named an honorary director of the Concordia University Foundation in 2012.
Clearly, Concordia held a special place in Ellen’s heart — significant for a man who did not himself receive university education. “Leonard always liked to say that he was a graduate of the school of hard knocks,” says Clarence Epstein, director of Special Projects and Cultural Affairs and a close friend of the Ellens. “He selflessly championed Concordia because he deeply believed in our mission.”
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