York Professor Emeritus Harold Minden, a former businessman who in later life became a faculty member in the Department of Psychology, died on Wednesay, Feb. 18, at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. He was 85.
The owner of a successful leather manufacturing business, Prof. Minden sold the company and at age 40 went back to school to study psychology. He attended York, earning a master’s degree in psychology in 1967 and a PhD in 1969, and became a member of the faculty in the Department of Psychology. His wide-ranging interests in learning disabilities, parenting and fatherhood, sports psychology, stress management, marriage preparation and the power of positive thinking were grounded in his love and concern for the institution of the family. He was a well-loved teacher, supervisor and counsellor, heavily involved in the creation of the Integra Foundation and 
Camp Towhee, and founder of the Learning Disability Program at York University. Prof. Minden was also the author of the parenting book, Two Hugs for Survival (1982) and worked as a sports psychologist for several Canadian Olympic teams.
Left: Professor Harold Minden
Prof. Minden was a passionate advocate for stress management and personally demonstrated his belief in the power of positive thought. He will be remembered for his profound love of family, his heartwarming smile and embrace and his superb sense of humour. He had deep appreciation and gratitude for life, making everyone he met feel special.
Born Aug. 8, 1923 in Toronto, Prof. Minden was married for 62 years to Maxine. He leaves his three children and their spouses and seven grandchildren.
The funeral service for Prof. Minden will be held at Holy Blossom Temple today. Those interested in attending the service should contact the Benjamin Park Memorial Chapel at 416-663-9060 for details. The service will be followed by interment at Beth Tzedec Memorial Park. Shiva will be held at 407 Walmer Road from 7 to 8:30pm on Saturday Feb. 21 and Sunday Feb. 22. The family will receive visitors from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday.
Donations in Prof. Minden’s memory can be made to the Harold & Maxine Minden Music Enrichment Fund at Baycrest Centre, 3560 Bathurst Street, Toronto M6A 2E1 or to the St. Michael’s Hospital Palliative Care Unit, 30 Bond Street, Toronto M5B 1W8.