Sol Tolchinsky

Sol Tolchinsky’s basketball career with the YMHA culminated in his selection to represent Canada in the tournament at the 1948 London Olympics. There, Canada won three of its five matches in the preliminary round and failed to advance, placing ninth overall after defeating Iran in the classification round; Tolchinsky saw playing time in four of these six matches. He also represented Canada at the 1950 and 1953 Maccabiah Games, winning silver in the former competition.

Tolchinsky entered McGill University in 1950 and, during his four years there, played basketball and followed his other passion, writing music for the campus’ drama club. In this, he was inspired by his older brother Shmuel, better known as Mel Tolkin, who won an Emmy Award for his television comedy writing. Sol was later involved in the exposition service contractor’s business and was inducted into the Montreal Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. He died during of COVID-19 during the pandemic, one month shy of his 92nd birthday.