Isadore “Red” Yablon, z”l, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Feb. 21, 2021, at the age of 87 in Portland. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Rachel (Jones) Yablon; his son, Brian (Laurie Libenson) of Portland; his daughter, Dr. Corrie Yablon (Dr. Patrick O’Brien) of Ann Arbor, Mich.; grandsons, Ben Yablon (Miriam Clayman) of Israel, Jonny Yablon and Will Yablon; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Brenda Yablon of Vancouver and Tel Aviv (Jessica and Richard). He was predeceased by his brother, David.

He was born May 30, 1933, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the first child of Willie and Adela (Goldberg) Yablon, z”l.

He attended Jewish People’s School, Baron Byng High School, McGill University and received his medical degree from the University of Toronto, where he also completed his orthopedic surgical residency. He moved to Boston where he gained prominence for his skills in surgery, teaching and research at Boston University where he trained a generation of orthopedic surgeons. He was a gifted self taught musician who played piano and guitar, and had a wonderful singing voice. He founded a folk group called the Yeomen who delighted their very select audience for almost 50 years. He was an avid fly fisherman and spent many weeks in the Alaska wilderness pursuing his passion.

Red was a man of strong opinions and convictions and was not afraid to make them known or to act upon them. When the Yom Kippur War broke out in Israel in 1973, though he had a young family, he volunteered as a surgeon at the front. He was also an excellent public speaker. He touched many lives and leaves a beautiful legacy.

Congregation Kesser Israel extends our sincerest condolences to Brian and Laurie Yablon and family on the loss of Brian’s father, Dr. Isadore Yablon. 

Funeral arrangements through Holman's Funeral Services, Portland. A private funeral took place at Kesser Israel cemetery, Feb. 22.

Donations may be made in the memory of Dr. Isadore G. Yablon to the Shriner's Hospitals for Children (lovetotherescue.org) or to the Jewish National Fund (www.jnf.org).