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Steven Kanor
After a long series of illnesses, which he withstood with his unique and indomitable sense of humor, Steven Kanor died in his home in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York on November 27th, 2015. Born on January 14th, 1936 in New York City to Norman and Muriel Kanor, Dr. Kanor developed his lifelong passion for the sciences early. In tenth grade, at the age of fifteen, he was invited to The American Institute's Science Fair at Brooklyn Technical High School. His project was called: 'Three Aspects of Cancer: Clinical, Cellular, Molecular,' and was awarded first prize. After graduating high school, he attended the University of Vermont where he majored in psychology, and dabbled in sculpture. After narrowly escaping a harrowing and ill-advised sailing trip down the Hudson River, Dr. Kanor went on to attend medical school at the University of Chicago. In 1962, he met Susan Rymer in a Manhattan coffee house and immediately decided that he would marry her. Their children, Seth and Luba, were born soon after. Dr. Kanor spent the next twenty years doing neurological research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, cancer research at Sloan Kettering, and bio-medical research at Columbia University. In 1974 he received his doctorate from University of Sussex in England. That same year he began consulting for United Cerebral Palsy UCP in Nassau, New York, heading up the development of a biofeedback program. Upon arriving at UCP, he was amazed to find that the children had some basic biofeedback equipment, but no toys. "Toys," he said, "are children's tools. Without them they cannot grow and develop. Play is the job of childhood." Four years later he founded Toys For Special Children/Enabling Devices, a business devoted to providing children with disabilities 'maximum delight' while at the same time helping to develop cognitive and mobility skills. Using an arsenal of special switches-some of which could be activated with a nod of the head, a roll of the tongue, a puff of air, or the blink of an eye-Dr. Kanor adapted toys for children with severe physical limitations. His communicators gave voice to the voiceless, and his 'busy boxes,' with their vibrating plates, textured buttons, and small, enclosed fans, gave children with visual and hearing impairments a chance to explore and play. The company now produces and ships over 100, 000 devices world-wide each year to improve the lives of physically challenged people of all ages. In 1978 he married Jean Cassidy. His third child, Haley Cassidy Kanor, was born in 1987. Dr. Kanor was curious and adventurous. He loved cross-country skiing, running and sailing; but most of all, he loved people. In his world, the premier of China, with whom he once dined, was no more important a personage, or less, than any of the disabled children whose lives he enriched; and his time with the ninety-year-old, chain-smoking, foul-mouthed woman who worked in his shipping department was just as delightful to him, if not more so, than the yearly dinners he had at the home of film producer, Ismail Merchant. In his mind, there was no hierarchy, but only the multitudinous eccentric and beautiful souls that made up the crazy and wonderful quilt that was his life. Steven Kanor is survived by his sister, Susan Kanor; his children, Seth, Luba and Haley; his grandchildren, Harry and Jordan; and his wife, Jean Cassidy Kanor. A memorial will take place at 10 am on Monday, December 7th at the Edwards- Dowdle Funeral Home, 64 Ashford Avenue, in Dobbs Ferry, New York. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either Doctors Without Borders or Oxfam.January 14, 1936 - November 27, 201501/14/193611/27/2015
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Steven Kanor
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