Very sad news. My heart goes out to his family. Linel was a gentleman from sole to crown.

To all of Linel's Family, friends and colleagues, please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of Linel. I know Linel very well since the inception of the Art Toronto fair, and had many opportunities to work and socialize with him in Toronto, New York and at the fairs in other cities around the world. The art world is a tough business but Linel was always respectful and encouraging to me. I won't forget that. 
He had a great knowledge and passion for art and for bringing art to clients and audiences. He was a 'heart and soul' guy. I will miss his smiling presence. Given his energy and enthusiasm for life, his passing seems far too premature.

I count myself among a group of lucky people who were able to count Linel as a friend.  His warmth and thoughtfulness in all of his interactions with other people were an inspiration to all of us who knew him.  He made the world a better place simply by being in it.  He taught us that being kind was not a sign of a weakness but a show of strength.  His vision for the Toronto International Art Fair was a gift to the modern world.  He ensured that the Canadian ethos would be present in the minds of artists and patrons alike.  In this way, he helped to keep Toronto at the forefront of thought leadership on a global basis.  He had a lively mind, a quick wit, and a very funny sense of humor.  I will miss him greatly.

Dear Mihaela, Sondra and Isabelle, we are deeply sorry to hear about your loss. Bebe was a wonderful man and we will miss all the great times we had together. Our most sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family.

Ella, Isabelle, Sandra, my sincere condolenses to you. Im deeply touched for the loss of our dear Linel. Always ready to help with a big generous smile. Thank you Thank you Thank youl Linel You will be forever in my heart. Begoña Malone

As with all of Linel's friends and colleagues, I too, am shocked by his sudden passing.  His life was cut short much too soon, I feel he had so much more to accomplish.
I had the pleasure of being the Production/Construction Manager of the The Toronto International Art Fair for the first 10 years.  I always enjoyed working with Linel and Ella. I learned a lot from Linel and over time, our families also became good friends.
There were no short cuts in building the show, you couldn't fool Linel.  In the first few years, he had built, painted, transported and set up thousands of feet of walls, so he knew how it had to be done.  He was a perfectionist, everything had to be just right for both the exibitors and guests.
My family and I had the pleasure of visits to the family home in West Vancouver and the beautiful Okanogan property where Linel and Ella were the consummate hosts.  It was great to be in such a casual, social setting where we could see how proud he was of his daughters, and Ella too.
Our thoughts and love are with Ella, Sondra and Isabelle.

I met Linel at TIAF in 2008, I feel hugely privileged and lucky to have know him for the last few years. His smile was a joy and infectious. The Toronto International Art Fair was so successful because of Linel, his enthusiasm, commitment, energy and generosity. I will miss you very, very much. My thoughts and love are with you all.
Tara xxxx

There are no right words and saying how sorry we are, does not even begin to convey the sadness we feel for the loss of our dear friend.
I met Bebe in Romania, over 35 years ago, as a member of a Musicians' Association.  When he came to Toronto, our love for music continued to keep us close, playing together for years.  Bebe treasured the friendship; he moved to Vancouver, however our friendship stayed alive, and I have to give him credit for it.  Every time he would visit Toronto for business or pleasure, he was always the one to get together the members of our band. Bebe enjoyed sharing his fights and his success; I remember the happiness on his face when he told us about the Art Fair that he founded, and during the years, its success made us really proud for Bebe.  Art Fair is Bebe's, a Romanian, legacy to our country, Canada.
Bebe was committed to succeed, no matter the odds, he was a responsible and loving husband, father, son , brother, a wonderful friend. He touched in a very special way many lives, he loved and appreciated life, he enjoyed a good meal and a long talk, he was kind....he was an inspiration in the true sense of the word. 
Our hearts and all our love go out to Ella, Sondra and Isabelle, and we hope they will find strength and make it through this most difficult time.
RIP, our dear friend, you will be missed.

Ella, Isabelle and Sondra, I am so sorry for your loss. 
I worked with Linel for several years as the publicist for The Toronto Art Fair and then Art Toronto. Every year as the fair approached, we did the same dance. He told me I was charging too much money, I told him I needed more, we argued, negotiated and in the end we always made a deal, afterwards laughing heartily at how we enacted this routine for yet another year. Linel was a shrewd businessman and I respected him greatly for that. But Linel was also a loving, proud, full of personality family man and it was this beautiful side of him that I adored. Listening to him speak of his wife and daughters was one of my and my staff's favorite thing to do. The love and pride that he exuded for the women in his life was palpable. It was a gift to know and work with him.
My sincere condolences for your entire family.

I met Linel in 2012 when I moved from Joliette Quebec to take the helm of The Power Plant contemporary Art Gallery. It was such a pleasure to meet him year after year in order to develop our program together with him. Power Talks was a successful collaboration between our institution and Art Toronto. I will always remember his good nature his enthusiasm and his great support of our work. I will miss our annual meeting and his kind words of encouragement. Rest in Peace you will be missed.

How sad and shocking it was to learn of Linel's early passing.It was a pleasure to have known Linel for 16 years through my association with the AGO and Art Toronto.I greatly admired his enthusiasm,determination and unwavering commitment to promoting the Visual Arts in Canada. The growth of Art Toronto,under Linel's direction,has given our country an International Art Fair to be proud of.
My deepest sympathy to Ella,Sondra and Isabelle.
Sincerely, Cathy Bisset- Parkes

Linel was a dear friend and colleague. We supported each other through many business challenges. Over the ywars our friendship developed as we shared much. Together We travelled to many global art fairs to recruit exhibitors, but we also found time for good food, wine and happy moments. Spending time with him, Ella and Isabelle this past summer was a wonderful insight into his generosity and warmth for Michelle and me.  We love the person Linel was and we now find a hole in our hearts. I shall always remember all the stories he told of his life but most of all how he and Ella came to Canada, overcame tremendous odds, raised two wonderful daughters and founded one of the great art fairs. Whether at work, rest or play Linel was always a congruent person. He said what was on his mind and didn't suffer fools. Linel's life was fuller than most and yet he had so much more to offer. Canada loses a great son.

I am so sorry to hear this very sad news, its terrible. He was always so enthusiastic about everything, one of my fond memories was when all the dealers were packing up after Art Toronto, Lionel would be shooting around on a electric buggy, handing out bottles of water, it was much appreciated and needed. Lionel was very nice, I really liked him. Jonathan Cooper London

What a loss! I was looking forward to share new ideas and start a new project with Linel and his wife. Talking to him was always inspiring. There was never a problem, only solutions. Even not sharing a lot of time with him, we will miss him - I hope that Ella and the family will find a way to transform this loss in a great gift of having shared their lives with him.

I met Linel as an exhibitor at Art Toronto. He was warm, helpful and sincere in his love of visual art and over a few years I came to regard him as a friend and looked forward to seeing him. He was really special and I am very sorry to hear of his passing.

Linel was not only a dear family friend but also a great mentor and colleague. His vision and determination to secure positive results no matter the odds were inspirational. I had the rare honor to have worked with him on the genesis of Art Vancouver and then Art Toronto, spending endless hours together to cobble a Canadian cultural event. His leadership was instrumental in its success.  I owe much to Linel both personally and professionally.  Thank you Linel for your kindness, loyalty and support throughout the years and thank you for your friendship and sharing your family, love of art and music with me and mine. You will be missed by many, you have left a great legacy for your family, your friends and your adopted country .  My deepest sympathies to Ella and the girls. He was taken way too soon. Rest in peace.

My condolences to his family. Linel was a great man and it was wonderful to work with him on the art fair. I will miss him. Sincerely, Allan Wong

I am very sad to hear of the news.  I have known Linel from the earliest days of his art fair leadership and his launch of Toronto International Art Fair.  He always had a smile on his face and he truly always acted with dignity and grace.  It is a very sad day to say goodbye to you Linel.  I will miss seeing you.  Best wishes to the family. Mark Reddekopp, Gallery Jones

Linel was an amazing person, he was such a leader and friend.  I will miss you dear friend.  Sincerely, Lisa Alcantar-Leonard

OBITUARY

Mr. Linel Rebenchuk

21 August, 1954 – 14 January, 2016

Hollyburn Funeral Home

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