MONTREAL - Issie Nachshen never finished high school, but today, at 74, he holds a Master's degree.

It was the Depression, and Nachshen had to contribute to the family's income. Besides, he was bored with school.

After he got out of the army, he took a few courses at night at Sir George Williams University, paid for by the government, but had no real goal.

For years, he continued to work for a shirt manufacturer and raised a family. But, in 1963, some latent urge for learning was rekindled and Nachshen enrolled again at Sir George. His son Daniel was by then an outstanding student at Herzliah High School and he got the itch to see if he also had it in himself to excel academically.

He was able to enroll as in undergraduate without a high school leaving certificate under a program for certain qualifying mature students.

Every year, he took one course each of the two fall/winter terms - one night class a week - until 1986 when he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. Most of his courses were in Jewish studies and English literature.

After a short break, Nachshen started on his Master's in Judaic studies at Concordia University. At the same rate of one class a week in each term, he finally graduated recently. His thesis was on the Kaballah in 16th century Safed.

Nachshen, who is now the part-time regional director of the Canadian Association for Labour Israel, persevered despite personal tragedy.

His great joy was to have his son Daniel, a brilliant neurophysiologist at Cornell Medical College in New York, present for his graduation exercises in June 1986.

Only months later, Daniel became ill with cancer and died in December 1986 at the age of 39.

This past summer, Nachshen's wife Florence also died.

"She encouraged me all the way. She never demanded anything of me when I was doing my school work," he said.

Nachshen also had to take time off after surgery, so a six-year program extended into eight.

He's also particularly grateful for the guidance and patience of professors Ira Robinson and Michael Oppenheim.

"The difference between high school and university is that in university they show you how to think. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity for discussion - something we didn't get much of in high school," he said.

Nachshen admits that he has only "touched the surface" of the Kaballah, Jewish mystical and messianic interpretation of the Bible.