Yuri Heifets

It is with profound sadness that the Heifets family announces the passing of Yuri Heifets, husband of Yelena Heifets (nee Lipkunskaya), father of Irina Heifets (Ken Saunderson) and Vladimir Heifets (Anna ) and grandfather to Jenny (Rutger Gellig), Jessica, Ellie and David and great grandfather to Nora.

Yuri had a difficult beginning during the Second World War, his family being evacuated to stay ahead of Nazi Germany’s expansion into Ukraine. Hunger, discomfort and danger were always present.

After the war, Yuri successfully studied and became a mechanical engineer, where his job took him to many interesting places in the USSR. He was an active hiker in the Ural Mountains and the Caucuses.

His skill and artfulness gave birth to many beautiful photographs of these areas and many others.

Some of his art resided in the Metro halls in Kiev.

In 1960 he met Yelena and so began 66 years of love, marriage and many changes.

During the time of Gorbachev’s rule, they were allowed to leave the Soviet Union and spent 8 months in Italy, waiting for admission to Canada, where Yuri’s love of art, history and architecture was richly rewarded with many excursions to Italy’s many historical sites and museums.

Arriving in Canada at the age of 56, the family settled in Ottawa, where Yuri obtained work within his profession. It is notable that Yuri was able to learn complicated applications, such as AutoCAD, on his own as well as obtain his driver's license, never having driven before.

Yuri was the consummate craftsman. In their 2 bedroom apartment, Yuri converted the second bedroom into his workshop where he amassed an impressive set of tools that helped him create furniture for their apartment and others’ homes. His ability to create custom tools and jigs was impressive.

At the end of his life he endured a long and difficult illness and had to move to Laurier Manor for the care he increasingly required.

Yuri passed peacefully in his sleep on September 13, 2026, just a few weeks prior to his 94th birthday and is keenly missed by his family and friends.

The Heifets family would like to thank the staff of Jewish Family Services of Ottawa (JFS) for their support and the staff of Laurier Manor for their kind and thoughtful care of Yuri.

A private celebration of life will be held on his birthday, October 7, 2026.

In lieu of flowers and in commemoration of Yuri’s life, the family asks that any contributions be directed to Jewish Federation of Ottawa or a favorite charity of your choice.