MONTREAL -- Prolific architect Karl Fischer, a McGill University graduate who coached his alma mater in the inaugural Covo Cup men's rugby game versus Harvard in 1974, has passed away. He was 70.

Fischer died peacefully in Vermont on March 12, 2019 after a seven-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born on Feb. 22, 1949 in Gemzse, Hungary, he and his family escaped during the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 and emigrated to Montreal. As a young man, Fischer excelled at sports and at school. He attended Outremont high school and then McGill,  graduating in 1972 with two degrees in architecture (B.Sc. Arch '71; B. Arch '72) and a number of broken bones from all the rugby he played.

"Having met Karl when I first came to Canada in 1969, I have followed his journey and successes from afar," said Dave Hardy, who coached the team from 1982 to 1989. "On behalf of McGill Rugby members I wish to express our condolences to his family. He was a kind, gentle man who was admired by all he met."

In 1973, Fischer volunteered to take over the coaching reins of the McGill men's rugby team after the untimely death of head coach Peter Covo, in a car accident. Covo had been working fervently on organizing a McGill-Harvard exhibition game to commemorate the centennial of the inaugural meeting in 1874, generally recognized as the first game of North American style rugby-football.

Fischer coached McGill from 1973 to 1981, including a 6-3 victory in that centennial rendezvous, which was named the Covo Cup and the contest has continued on an annual basis since then.

"I had the privilege of knowing Karl in Outremont HS as a classmate and at McGill," said Arnold Rosner. "I played both 7-and 15-man rugby as well as football with him and we shared many exciting moments. He inspired us all to give our best at all times as he set a very high standard of excellence. I was fortunate to have known Karl and I will miss him and the spirit he inspired in all of us."

As tenacious in business as he was on the field, Fischer opened his own architecture firm in 1984 in Montreal and a branch in New York City in 1999. A self-made man, he designed many of the houses, commercial buildings and condominiums that now grace the skyline in Montreal and New York. A stretch of Bayard Street in Williamsburg, N.Y., became known as Karl Fischer Row after he built three multi-family buildings there.

Outside of work, Fischer loved adventure, travel, music and spending time in Vermont with his family and his Highland cows. Whether he was driving the tractor, designing a luxury treehouse for his granddaughters, or bushwhacking through the deep snow on his cross-country skis, Fischer was never happier than when he had a long list of tasks to accomplish. If he wasn't fixing something or chopping something down, he could be found cycling through the green mountains of Vermont, snowboarding at Jay Peak, flying his plane, or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

A man of few words, he had a huge heart and loved his rugby community, as well as family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Pamela; his children Alison (Ian) and Daniel (Andrea); and three grandchildren Amelia, Clara and Maelyn. He is also survived by a brother, George; a sister, Kathy and his mother, Elizabeth; as well as many nieces, nephews and their children. He is predeceased by his father, Lazlo Fischer.

A private memorial will be held later this spring in Montreal. In lieu of flowers, charitable donation in Karl Fischer's name to Humane Canada or to Dr. Panasci's Research Fund (1160-102559) at the Jewish General Hospital.

Messages of condolence can be posted online at the Montreal Gazette


SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012
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E-MAIL:earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca