Boris Kunyavsky, 73, passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025 after a long and valiant battle with kidney cancer.

Boris was born on June 3, 1952 and grew up in Novosibirsk, Russia. His early years were spent in a rural area where his father manned a weather research station. In the family stories, this was where he was once best friends with a little pig, whom he is used to play with and even ride on (“I held onto his ears and rode him!” he later would tell his grandchildren as they giggled).

His little sister Olga, 9 years his junior, started kindergarten just as he was graduating from their school. He always took pride in how well he looked after her and never minded picking her up from school even when he could’ve been playing with his own friends.

He studied at Novosibirsk University and met the love of his life, Tatyana. He studied mechanical engineering and she studied process engineering. They had to go on mandatory work terms during the summers, often in rural areas.

One summer, he was stationed at a farm but the conditions were harsh. He could handle it, but he saw that the girls on the same work term were suffering from the unsanitary conditions and the hard labour. When speaking with authorities did not rectify the situation, Boris somehow paid a neighbouring farmer (either in rubles or in vodka, the details are murky) and hitched up a horse and wagon and took the girls back to the city. He was their hero.

Boris and Tatyana married and lived in Akademgorodok within the city of Novosibirsk, Russia. They had one son, Gregory, and Boris earned a PhD in mechanical engineering. In 1989, they moved to Israel and lived in a kibbutz, where Boris and Tatyana took on various jobs to support the family, while learning a new language. Boris worked for a time in a bread making factory while Tatyana sewed beautiful custom wedding dresses. Later, Boris became a professor. However, in 1992, they moved yet again, this time to Toronto, Canada, where they both changed careers and learned yet another new language.

Boris worked at CST Consultants for over 20 years . He was a great colleague, an amazing mentor, and a friend to everybody. He never hesitated to help a friend in need.

After retiring in 2017, Boris and his wife Tatyana spent time traveling, gardening and doting on their three grandchildren.

There will be no funeral services, however, please leave a memory comment if you can. The family is grateful to Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre for taking such good care of Boris during his 14 year battle with cancer. 

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