Obituary of Alexander Tumanov

Alexander Tumanov passed away on April 29, 2023, at Dearness Home in London, Ontario. Alexander was born in Uman, Ukraine to Nathan and Leah Tutelman on July 16, 1930. After surviving the hardships of World War II as a child, he attended school in Kharkiv, Ukraine.  He graduated from Kharkiv University and later from the Gnessin Musical Institute in Moscow. He worked as a music journalist and performed as a singer with the Madrigal Ensemble. The ensemble, which specialized in Renaissance and Baroque music, toured widely around the USSR and abroad.

In 1974, Alexander emigrated from the USSR to Canada with his wife, Alla, and their son, Vladimir. They settled in Toronto, where Alexander taught at the University of Toronto, performed as a vocalist—including appearances on CBC Radio—and earned a PhD in Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto.  In 1982, he became a professor of Slavic Studies at the University of Alberta in Edmonton where he worked until his retirement in 1996.

During his retirement, Alexander participated in the production of numerous musical broadcasts on CBC radio as a musical commentator.  In Edmonton, he founded the musical ensemble Cantilena Consort. Alexander authored academic articles and two books, including a volume of memoirs published by The University of North Texas Press. Alexander spent the last years of his life in London, Ontario. His passion for music never left him.

Alexander is survived by his wife Alla Tumanov, his son Vladimir Tumanov, his daughter-in-law Larissa Klein, his grandchildren Alex Tumanov (and Alex’s wife Julie Boyce) and Vanessa Tumanov and his great-grandson Evan Tumanov.  He is deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his family.

Memorial donations may be made to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, preferably for refugee relief.  The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Dearness Home for the compassionate care they provided Alexander during the final two years of his life.

Online condolences can be left a www.funeraloptions.ca