Martin Jaeger, RIP

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  • Martin Jaeger, RIP

    I just had a phone call from Wilf Ferner, former CFC Executive member, passing on the sad news that former CFC President, Martin Jaeger (Toronto) passed away this morning. His obituary will be in the Saturday Toronto Star. Anyone wishing more information or perhaps to be passed on to Martin's widow, can call Wilf at 416.439.8912.

    Fred

  • #2
    I am sorry to hear that. Martin's name brings back memories of tournaments played in Toronto in the 1970s and 1980s. Condolences to family and friends.

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    • #3
      I am sorry to hear of Martin's passing and express my condolences to his friends and family. Martin was a delightful and fun-loving soul who enjoyed life tremendously. He was very active in chess governance when I worked at the CFC in the 1990's. What I remember most is his contagious laughter and his energetic spirit. Martin had an absolute blast at the Canadian Open in Winnipeg, 1994, and his continuous antics and capers with such personages as Nathan Divinsky and Albert Boxer were a wonderful sight to behold. I also recall being packed into a car with Martin, Nathan, Hal Bond, Troy Vail and Les Bunning as we drove ridiculously throughout Toronto looking for a place to simply sit down and have a cup of coffee. There was never a dull moment when you were in Martin's joyous presence. He was a great guy! Caissa will have her hands full.

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      • #4
        Martin was one of the most dedicated and influential organizers in Canadian chess history. He offered me very important guidance in 1991, when I was putting together the 1992 Canadian Zonal in Kingston (held in May of that year as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Queen's University), and that event was successful, in spite of one of the main financial sponsors cancelling a few weeks before (out of everyone's control). The CFC and OCA stepped up to cover the financial shortfall, and the championship produced several new titled players, including IM Brian Hartman and FM (now IM) Ron Livshits. IA Alex Knox of Toronto was in charge of running the event, with me assisting, and did his usual highly professional job. Hal Bond came down from Ottawa for the CFC, assisting in numerous useful ways.

        I was a high school organizer while a student, and met Martin for the first time in Toronto, while there to play in the Ontario HS Championships held at New College, University of Toronto, circa 1974. Martin encouraged my organizational involvement, both then and in the future.

        I had several interesting conversations with Martin at other times, usually on rules situations and scenarios. He always broadened and deepened my knowledge. He was a lively personality, to be sure, and really knew chess organization. I believe he was a former president of both the CFC and OCA, and an International Arbiter.

        If Martin Jaeger is not already a member of the Canadian Chess Hall of Fame, he certainly should be.

        My sincere condolences to his family, close friends, and loved ones.

        Rest In Peace, Martin.

        Frank Dixon
        NTD, Kingston

        Comment


        • #5
          Martin Jaeger played chess in Winnipeg. In the 1971 CFC rating list he was 1805, Ontario.

          The Central Y Chess Club at College and Yonge was open seven days a week and had a library. In 1975 they had over 300 members, oldsters from the Toronto Chess Club and youngsters in the Fischer boom. Party built up by Dobrich, Chess Canada publisher and OCA President, who trained juniors like me to become TDs. But when he retired Martin Jaeger and Wolfgang Ferner, Treasurer, took on the responsibilities. Jaeger's son Lev played in my junior tournaments.

          The room was too small, packed for the Saturday afternoon speed. Jaeger found a new place on Adelaide, investing the club funds in renovating the space and building chess tables. The Toronto Central Chess Club opened in April 1975. But that was only a sublease and the city, the landlord, kicked us out (It's now a pizza restaurant). Some people were angry at Jaeger for losing the Y, spending the savings, and for dominating meetings. The Toronto Chess Club moved to Vaughan Road and St. Clair in January 1977. Decades later a small Saturday speed returned to the new Central Y.

          Jaeger became the OCA President in 1976 (then CFC President 1977-9) and organized provincial championships. He directed the 1977 Toronto Open in the Lithuanian Hall, 301 players. In 1979 he directed several weekend tournaments and one with 118 entrants raised money to buy chess sets and clocks for schools. In 1980 he organized and arbited the Ontario Closed Championship, collecting annotations for a tournament book. I volunteered editing/mailing that as the first issue of the Ontario Chess News, average players actually getting something in return for the OCA part of their CFC dues. But the increased cost of stamps made this a too expensive drain of OCA funds. Jaeger organized and arbited the 1981 Canadian Women's Closed.

          Jaeger and Ferner had Ontario government jobs and they secured the huge cafeteria at Bay and Wellesley which became the place for major tournaments in the early 1980s.

          Jaeger continued as a volunteer arbiter for women's and junior championships and as a CFC Governor.

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          • #6
            RIP Martin Jaegar. He was the main Toronto organizer when I was growing up. The last 20 years, I would see him more at the Regal St.Clair bridge club than at chess tournaments. He devoted a lot of his time and money to organizing chess. Sadly he made as many enemies as admirers, but his great contribution to chess organization should not be overlooked.

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            • #7
              I had many encounters with Martin over the years. He gave good advice when asked and was very friendly and always congratulated me on achievements. Martin was always very aware of the chess scene and its many characters. In 1980 he encouraged me to buy an OCA life membership and make sure I hung on to the card. Great advice. My condolences to Wilf, friends and family.
              RIP Martin.

              Comment


              • #8
                I first met Martin in 1981 when I was helping run junior events and he appointed me to my first chess admin post, to help OCA with junior matters.

                Watching Martin run a meeting was a real treat. I once went from Toronto to Kitchener for that reason alone.

                He said he'd retire from chess organizing at a certain age, and when he did, he did.

                He's not yet in the Canadian Chess Hall of Fame. Our Committee will consider him in due course.

                David

                Comment


                • #9
                  In 1977 at the Toronto Open, a shy skinny teenager from Northern Ontario approached the TD at his station to ask a couple of questions about running tournaments. After a question or two, the teenager sensed that the TD was very busy and so turned to leave after thanking him. The TD then did something that blew the kid's mind: he said "here, have this" and gave him his personal copy of "Official Rules of Chess" (ORC).

                  That TD was Martin Jaeger and that teenager was me. 43 years later, I still have that ORC book. That small act of kindness made a large impact. I studied the ORC until I was confident enough to run several High School tournaments. When North Bay's local adult organizer faded away, I took over and organized several Adult tournaments after having almost memorized the entire ORC so I was prepared to resolve any dispute between adults up to 4 times my age. For all my organizing activity, I was made a CFC Governor from 1979-81. At university, although I'll never know for certain, being a Governor of a national body probably made me stand out from the masses and helped me get one of the more coveted co-op jobs. I ended up working 24 years for that company and had many amazing experiences including meeting my wife. All that can be traced back to Martin's unselfish act of kindness.

                  Over the years, I tried to track down Martin to tell him the rest of the story. This May, less than 4 months ago, I finally got his email and was able to tell him. Almost too late. Thank you, Martin Jaeger, and RIP.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Don Parakin View Post
                    In 1977 at the Toronto Open...
                    That's where I first met Martin, too. I was from London where a big tournament had maybe 15 people. I don't recall how many were at the '77 T.O. but I remember it was a bit overwhelming - my first Toronto tournament. Had a great time. After the last round I thanked Martin. He was not in a good mood - fielding some complaints I think - but he broke into a big smile when he realized why I wanted to talk to him. Are you, or were you, from Thunder Bay, Don? Your name sounds familiar for some reason. Did you play in the '78 Canadian Open in Hamilton?
                    "We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office." - Aesop
                    "Only the dead have seen the end of war." - Plato
                    "If once a man indulges himself in murder, very soon he comes to think little of robbing; and from robbing he comes next to drinking and Sabbath-breaking, and from that to incivility and procrastination." - Thomas De Quincey

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Don Parakin View Post
                      In 1977 at the Toronto Open, a shy skinny teenager from Northern Ontario approached the TD at his station to ask a couple of questions about running tournaments. After a question or two, the teenager sensed that the TD was very busy and so turned to leave after thanking him. The TD then did something that blew the kid's mind: he said "here, have this" and gave him his personal copy of "Official Rules of Chess" (ORC).

                      That TD was Martin Jaeger and that teenager was me. 43 years later, I still have that ORC book. That small act of kindness made a large impact. I studied the ORC until I was confident enough to run several High School tournaments. When North Bay's local adult organizer faded away, I took over and organized several Adult tournaments after having almost memorized the entire ORC so I was prepared to resolve any dispute between adults up to 4 times my age. For all my organizing activity, I was made a CFC Governor from 1979-81. At university, although I'll never know for certain, being a Governor of a national body probably made me stand out from the masses and helped me get one of the more coveted co-op jobs. I ended up working 24 years for that company and had many amazing experiences including meeting my wife. All that can be traced back to Martin's unselfish act of kindness.

                      Over the years, I tried to track down Martin to tell him the rest of the story. This May, less than 4 months ago, I finally got his email and was able to tell him. Almost too late. Thank you, Martin Jaeger, and RIP.
                      Thanks for a wonderful post Don.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Peter McKillop View Post
                        That's where I first met Martin, too. I was from London where a big tournament had maybe 15 people. ... Are you, or were you, from Thunder Bay, Don? ...Did you play in the '78 Canadian Open in Hamilton?
                        I was from North Bay, not Thunder Bay. My largest North Bay tournament had 24 players, later overshadowed by the NBIO's. Didn't make it to the '78 Canadian Open as I had a lucrative summer job as a Product Distribution Specialist (driver) at Greco's Pizza (making fistfuls of dollars).

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                        • #13
                          From Winnipeg Free Press:
                          MARTIN JEROME JAEGER
                          Martin passed at North York General Hospital in Toronto on August 31, 2020, after a brief illness.
                          Born in Winnipeg, MB, April 9, 1938, Martin lived in Winnipeg; Palo Alto, CA; St John's, NL and Toronto, ON. Martin graduated from East Kildonan Collegiate (1954) and United College (1960). He studied at Stanford before teaching at Memorial University and then working almost 30 years at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs as a Senior Policy Analyst. Leveraging his powerful memory, Martin enjoyed chess and cards - bridge in later years, attaining Life Member status. A sports enthusiast, he often backed the underdogs. He enjoyed playing recreational softball and tennis and reading tomes on history, politics and social issues. On a lighter side, he enjoyed watching MASH and Seinfeld. Martin contributed to the community, donating time and money to worthy causes. He served as President of the Chess Federation of Canada and volunteered on the boards of his housing co-op/condominium and tennis associations. He weighed in on political matters of local, provincial and national natures. Should chess clocks be subject to taxation? Should private schools receive government funding? Martin had an off-the-wall sense of humour. His booming laugh, which often erupted following one of his own witticisms, was enjoyed by family and nearby diners.
                          In July 2014, Martin wed Bernice (Be) Klasky in a ceremony attended by family and friends. Together, they enjoyed tennis, opera, ballet, theatre and travelling. Martin valued the friendships he formed over his lifetime; he had a strong sense of commitment and duty to things he deemed important and necessary.
                          Martin will be missed by Be and her family, his sons, Lev (Shlomit) and Hal (Laura), granddaughter Zohar, sister-in-law Miriam, and cousin Arnold Shapiro (Carol), among many others.



                          As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 05, 2020

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