AL (ABIE) GREENSTONE

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AL (ABIE) GREENSTONE Peacefully after a short illness Abraham Louie Greenstone passed away on December 21, 2001 at St. Boniface Hospital at the age 83. He is predeceased by his wife Ruth, parents, Norman and Rose Greenstone, and brother Reuben (Bob) Greenstone. He is survived by his children, Sid (Rhoda) Greenstone and Jackie (Paul) Winestock; grandchildren, Aaron and Rachel Greenstone, Joshua and Benjamin Winestock; sister Goldie Zabensky of Vancouver; sister-in-law Faye Greenstone of Winnipeg; brother-in-law Ernie Gordon and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his close friend Anne Morgan. Al was born in Brandon, Manitoba on June 8, 1918. He moved to Winnipeg at a very young age and lived his entire life working and supporting his family, first at his fathers tailor shop on McDermot and Albert St. and later at his various factories where he was a skilled cloth and leather cutter. The many factories were, Beaver Manufacturing, Sabina Sportswear, BMC Sportswear, Park Leather, Sterling Stall, and Winnipeg Leather. He was well known throughout the garment industry. He was forced to retire at age 62 due to a heart attack. As a teenager Al was involved with the Universal Athletics club doing gymnastics. Later he was drafted into the Army but received an honourable discharge for health reasons. He married Ruth Gordon on June 23, 1946 and was with her for 49 years at the time of her passing in 1996. After that Al moved into the Beit Am Apartments where he made new friends and rekindled old friendships. Al became a regular at the morning minyans of the Bnay Abraham Synagogue and his presence there will be sorely missed. Al was a man who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, but the thing he enjoyed the most were his four grandchildren. He would take pride in their many accomplishments. Al had many challenges in life but always had a very positive outlook. He never complained. Funeral services were held on December 24 at 11:00 a.m. by Rabbi Balser and Cantor Gerry Daien at the Rosh Pina Synagogue. Pallbearers were Rorie Broder, Morris Chapnick, Avery Spigelman, Rob Waldman, Paul Winestock, and Grant Zipursky. Honourary pallbearers, Gerry Arron, Izzy Yamron and Issy Weinshenker. Many thanks to Dr. M. Kramer and the staff of the St. Boniface Hospital, 5A Medicine, 5B Medicine and the Intensive Care Unit. Donations may be made to Camp Massad, The Camp Massad Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, National Council of Jewish Women, The Gray Academy of Jewish Education, or to the charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 05, 2002