Nathan Lionel Pollock

June 12, 1950 - August 15, 2026

Nathan (Nuchum) Lionel Pollock passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026 at Toronto General Hospital after many years of living with Parkinson’s disease and the lasting impact of a stroke. He was 76 years old.

Nathan was predeceased by his father, Johnny, and his mother, Anne. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Zailig and Didi, and Shmee and Terry; his children, Jonathan, Asa and her partner Alex; and his grandson, Felix.

Nathan was born on June 12, 1950, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In his early years, he discovered his passion for music, film, and photography. A true product of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Nathan was taken with the music of Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Paul Butterfield. He also enjoyed the outdoors as a camper and counsellor at Camp Massad, where he made lasting memories and nurtured lifelong friendships. He attended West Kildonan Collegiate Institute and began his post-secondary education at the University of Manitoba.

In 1970, Nathan’s love of adventure spurred him to join the exodus of young people travelling to Europe, along with his friend Eric, in their own countercultural emulation of The Grand Tour. Hitchhiking from the UK to the Mediterranean over the course of eight months, the trip was highlighted (and lowlighted) by the overnight rental of an abandoned police station and jail cell on the cold, windswept eastern bays of Crete.

Nathan moved to Toronto to complete his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Toronto. He earned his PhD in Psychology at U of T’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), where he studied under Dr. John Weiser, who became a lifelong mentor and friend. During his PhD, Nathan studied hypnosis under Milton Erickson, a technique that would later serve him in both clinical settings and at parties.

He worked as a clinical and forensic psychologist, starting out at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry—now the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Later, he moved into private practice. He also taught as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at U of T and sat on the Ontario Review Board.

Nathan met Jennifer in 1986. Eventually, they moved in together in Toronto’s Little Italy with their cat Dave, later welcoming Asa and Jonathan, and moving to Dufferin Grove. Nathan loved travelling, with Costa Rica being a favourite destination to visit with his family. The family also took many trips to Winnipeg and California to spend time with his and Jennifer’s relatives. Wherever he went, Nathan would bring his black backpack, a camcorder, a pair of Tevas, and at least five harmonicas.

An intellectual and a romantic, Nathan enjoyed philosophical discussions over a wheat beer, and late-night stargazing. He took up running in his fifties, completing several half marathons and training with friends at the West End YMCA. He continued his artistic pursuits in his later years, attending drawing and painting lessons, which he kept up through the early stages of his illness, even after his ability to write was compromised.

Perhaps most magical was Nathan’s ability to spark curiosity, instill comfort, and evoke laughter in everyone around him. Whether he was teaching us about the stars, taking us on a new adventure, or (mis)quoting Shakespeare, Nathan brightened the lives of all who had the pleasure of knowing and loving him. We’ll miss you, Nuch.

The family will be holding a celebration of life at Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home at 11:00AM on Tuesday, August 25. A streaming link will be available for those who wish to attend remotely.

Donations to March of Dimes Canada’s Aphasia and Communication Disabilities Program (ACDP), or Doctors Without Borders are welcome.