CBB Montreal Staff

In Memoriam

In this section are former CBB staff who have unfortunately passed on (may their souls find happiness in the world to come). These write-ups are based on the emails that were were sent to the email group at the time of their deaths. If there are any more, let me know so I could put it up here.

Jaclyn Linetsky / Howie Epstein / Frank Gagnon

Jaclyn Linetsky

(1986-2003)

A young rising star, Jaclyn Linetsky was killed in a tragic car accident in September 8, 2003 along with co-worker Vadim Schneider on their way to St. Cesaire to film a television show, 15/Love. At the time she beloved by her fans for providing the English voice for the cartoon Caillou. She had spent a number of summers as a camper at CBB, the last as an S.I.T. in 2002.

She was thought of very highly by her friends, especially those who were J.C.'s in 2003: "Jaclyn was such a good person .. She had EVERYTHING going for her... She never let it get to her head.. She was always down to earth, and such a warm person."

Aimee Waxman, fellow camper and friend

Special thanks to Sam Shuter for the pictures

Howie Epstein

(see picture below)

Those who were around CBB in the early 90's will remember Howie as one of the friendliest and kindest guys and definitely an outstanding staff member. I would like to express my sympathies to his brothers Rob and Nathanial, as well as his parents. For those of you who knew Howie, I am sure you are saddened by this news as much as I am. I have fond memories of Howie, whether we were getting wasted at the Peel Pub, or getting wasted on the beach in Tel Aviv, Howie was always pretty much the life of the party. His love of life and ability to have a good time under any circumstances was how Howie lived. If any of you have any Howie stories you think we might find amusing or interesting, please share them. Lets all take this opportunity to remember Howie for the great guy he was and the great memories he left us.

Written by Jared Lang (Jan. 2, 2001)

I am still in shock of the news that Howie is gone.....He was my counselor in s.i.t's and helped to make it the best summer of my life. I will always remember Howie walking around with goggles on his head belting out the muff divers song along with the rest of the boys until us girls made our own version. Howie lyp sinking to a very hip song at the time...."two princes" and all of us s.i.t.'s going crazy because he looked so much like the guy from the spin doctors. I hadn't see Howie in about two years, but his big smile beneath a an orange mane of hair will always be fresh in my mind. my sympathies go out to the Epstein family.

Written by Sharon "Shaz" Slapack (Jan. 2, 2001)

Howie Epstein was councellor for Bunk 6 SIT's in 1993. He was my councellor.
He slept on the left side of the bunk. Of all the staff members whom I have
had during my days as a camper at CBB, none displayed as much understanding,
patience, humour, intelligence and sheer humanity as Howie Epstein... From
my point of view, the world has lost a great man far too early and we are
all worse off because of it.
However, anyone who knew Howie - even as a brief acquaintance - could not
help but feel good after an encounter. Depending on the situation, he could
be funny, intelligent, philosophical, and just plain wacky... always
appropriate.
I remember once in 1994 - the year after Howie was my councellor - we were
at the gate doing what people do at the gate when some guy came up to Howie
and commented how much he resembled the lead singer of Spin Doctors... Well
Howie couldn't resist the opportunity. He told the naive lad that he WAS the
lead singer of the Spin Doctors and then proceeded to play the part
regalling him with tales of life on the road... explaining how the
Tragically Hip's lyrics in New Orleans is Sinking truly reflect the
toughness of touring... He then explained how his moonlighting as section
head that summer helped him unwind....
One of the last times I saw him was in Jerusalem in May of 1998. I was there
on the Machanayim trip and he was at Hebrew U. doing graduate work in
political science. Me, Howie, and Frank debated the fine points of the
Middle East Peace Process. At the end of our evening Howie invited me to
take a trip with him to Hebron... Hebron! What would ANYONE want to do in
Hebron!? Howie explained that he had gained access with a United Nations
observer mission to assess Israeli settlements in the Palestinian town... He
went on to explain to Frank and I the safety precautions of the trip. After
listening to Howie, Frank allowed me to go... Although the trip did not
materialize, I realized that only someone as thoughtful and responsible as
Howie could convince someone as paranoid about safety as Frank that it was
safe to let someone under his responsibility go to the Middle East's hotbed
of violence....
Howie will be deeply missed by me. In a way I consider myself lucky for
having known him; in another I am upset that he was taken so early with so
much potential... My thoughts and prayers are right now with his family and
also with Mike and Eric, his good friends....

Written by Adam Goodman (Jan. 2, 2001)

Anybody who has any memories of Howie, or any impressions that he may have left on any of you, please take the time to send them to the Epstein family. Although no amount of emails will ever compensate for the loss of Howie, it would be great if his family could know how many lives he touched. If any of you know people who are not on this email group, but who knew Howie, please forward this email to them.

Although I met Howie in camp during the first Toronto explosion of the early 90's, we only really bonded in the spring of 1996, when we spent about a week or so together in Tel-Aviv. Ironically enough a lot of that week involved some marathon drinking. Ill always be grateful to Howie for providing a weary traveler a place to sleep, as well as for introducing me to some small restaurant right around the corner from the Dizengoff Mall, where they made some of the best grilled chicken sandwiches I've ever had the pleasure to have tasted.

One memory of Howie which will last forever in my mind happened back in the summer of 1993. Being my first summer in many not in camp, I was obviously suffering some withdrawal. One night in particular I was so bold to even try to get in and visit some of my campers from the summer before who were SIT's. I snuck up to SIT bunk 6 and knocked on the back of the bunk.....the curtain drew open and Howies face appeared in the window. His confused look (I guess he wasn't expecting anyone at 2 a.m. to knock on the back of his bunk) quickly turned to Howie's trademark smile as he opened the door and invited me in. That's how Ill always remember Howie. Someone who was always smiling, even when there wasn't much to smile about, and someone who was always inviting, even if it meant sacrificing the last bit of floor space he had (and whatever sleep he may have gotten due to some loud snoring).

Its unfortunate whenever someone has to go at such a young age, but if life is measured by the amount of lives you touch, and the amount of love you give and receive, then on a scale of one to ten, Howie hovered around 13 or 14. If there's one thing that Howie left us, its the memory of a great friend and a wonderful person, and that will live on forever.

Written by Jared Lang (Jan. 11, 2001)

Howie Epstein (centre) and his friends (including Adam Goodman)

Frank Gagnon

It comes with much sadness that I write this email informing you about the
passing away of someone we all know and is a hard worker at CBB. I am
referring to Frank Gagnon. It came as a shock to me when I found out late
last week (he passed away on Oct. 28, 2001). I heard he had problems with a blood clot, although I'm not entirely certain of the circumstances of his death. For the past number of summers at CBB he's worked tirelessly in the warehouse. As well, this past summer, together with Vadim Otsep and Rob Epstein, made food at the C.L. in an attempt to replace MoJo's. We always saw Frank drive around camp in his little dune buggy. Lastly, I'd like to extend my condolences to his family and closest friends. We'll miss you buddy!

Written by Avi Fichtenbaum (Nov. 5, 2001)