Victor Smorgon dead at 96
Victor Smorgon, one of the foremost members of Melbourne’s Jewish community, died today at the age of 96.
The enormously successful industrialist was born in Heidelberg, Ukraine, in 1913, moving to Australia as a teenager. His family’s simple kosher butcher shop grew into one of Australia’s most powerful business empires with interests extending way beyond meat into the fields of steel, plastic, paper, packaging and property.
Victor Smorgon was a generous benefactor to the Arts and was a major supporter of many charities including hospitals and medical research.
The president of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, John Searle, told J-Wire: “We extend condolences to the family at this time. Victor Smorgon was a man with a very respectful demeanor and whose generosity is well-known. There are many wealthy people who remain incapable of expressing the same love of community and philanthropic traits of the late Victor Smorgon.”
Victor Smorgon is survived by his wife and three daughters.
