IZZIE MOSER

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IZZIE MOSER Izzie Moser died in Vancouver on November 18, 2013 at 92. He was born September 6, 1921 in the Hapsburg city of Lemberg soon after it joined Poland as Lwow, and at nine was brought to Winnipeg, where he lived for over 60 years. He left school after the 10th grade to work in his father's small business, L. Moser & Sons, which assembled chamois linings for fur-coat manufacturersa sacrifice spared his sister and brother. During the war, in the Air Force, he was stationed in Goose Bay, Labrador. The cold finally prompted him to volunteer to train as a wireless air gunner, and he graduated shortly before the war's end. After the war he sold his business and acquired othersMoser Manufacturing (car accessories) and Windsor Sporting Goods (sleeping bags, life preservers). He then moved to real estate and mortgages, his last business career. He enjoyed travel, and found himself in Moscow 50 years ago when President Kennedy was assassinated. If the crisis interfered with his return, he instructed in a postcard, Canada should stop selling wheat until he arrived home. He was always a responsible son; an affectionate older brotherhis younger brother recalls that they had only one argumentit lasted 10 minutesin the almost 83 years they shared on earth; a friend who enjoyed fishing trips with his buddies; an uncle to his delighted nephews and nieces; and, after his late marriage, a besotted father whose children were devoted to him, as he was to them. His son fondly remembers the road trips they took together to watch baseball in various ballparks across the United States. He read avidly in history and politics, and walked a good deal, often visiting libraries and book stores on the way. In 1993, his son having moved to Vancouver for work, Izzie moved there. It was a markedly successful move: there were many young relatives in Vancouver by then; they took pleasure in his cheerful greetings and optimistic tone, which never failed even in moments when he may not have felt cheer and optimism. He was a welcomed guest to the Pinsky Friday night dinners. In his later years two nieceshis sister's daughters Nomi and Debby, kept a helpful eye on him. He is survived by his son, Larry, of Ottawa; his daughter Susan, of Boston; three grandchildren, and his brother Frank of Jerusalem. He was predeceased by his sister Ruth (2009) and his former wife Kayla (2011).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 28, 2013