Sam (Sniderman) the Record Man Passes away in Toronto

Submitted by Joanne Smale on behalf of the Sniderman Family.

Iconic Canadian record retailer, Sam Sniderman, passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by loved ones, in Toronto on Sunday September 23. He was 92.

Known widely as Sam the Record Man, Mr. Sniderman joined his brother, Sid, in a small retail store on College Street in Toronto in 1937 - Sniderman Radio Sales and Service. Together they built a chain of Sam the Record Man stores that literally spanned the country.

"Sam was the last of the great Canadian showmen that were able to establish themselves as household names purely through the force of their personality", said Brian Robertson, a close family friend and Chairman Emeritus of the Canadian Recording Industry Association.  "He was a mentor to literally hundreds of Canadian artists and musicians and the Yonge Street record store and Sam's presence there was the centre of the Canadian music industry's universe for over three decades".

Sam Sniderman was a Member of the Order of Canada, was an inductee of the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, received the Governor General award and Honourary doctorates from Ryerson University and University of Prince Edward Island.

He is survived by his sons Bobby and Jason, as well as their wives Marlaina and Karen, grandchildren Zachary, Jhase, Cosmo and Echo.

The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to devoted care giver Marilyn Roan.  They would also like to thank Dr.Robert Wald, the cardiac team at 16 North Mount Sinai, as well as the palliative care team guided by Dr. Leah Steinberg.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Prince Edward Island Cancer Treatment Centre
60 Riverside Drive, PO Box 6600
Charlottetown PE, C1A 8T5
902-894-2027.

A service will be held Tuesday, September 25, 2012

An October Memorial Service will be announced.

Brian Robertson can be contacted at  [email protected]