MENDEL FROST

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MENDEL FROST With sorrow in our hearts we announce that our dear Tata, (Father), suddenly passed away on April 5, 2002 at the age of 88. Our dear Mama called out to him to join her five years to the day on the Jewish calendar after her death. Our Tata was born in Rocsonj, Poland on March 15, 1914 to his beloved parents, Tancha and Hana Frost. He had five brothers and sisters, Esther, Dina, Ruven, Yosef, and Pinches. His entire family perished in the concentration camps during the Holocaust, however, our Tata managed to survive the worst of nightmares in Melave, Auschwitz, Birkenau, Dora/Erlich and finally Bergin Belsen by his wits, perseverance, and a measure of luck. He was liberated in 1945 from Bergin Belsen where he met and married our dear Mama. He always told us that his single prayer while living in hell during the Holocaust was answered with the birth of their son Issie and daughter Esther. He often told us that the one thing that kept him alive during those dark and terrible years was the hope that the Frost name would survive the Holocaust. Well, it did Tata. Our parents came to Winnipeg in 1948 to start a new life. Our Tata was a skilled tailor and managed to care for his family by labouring twelve hours a day in the factory with some extra tailoring at home. Our Tata was a kind and gentle man, a man who dedicated his life to his family. He was also a pious man who in his later years was one of the minionares at the BNai Abraham Synagogue. He was also an ardent supporter of Israel and always ready to debate with anyone that expressed concern with Israels political direction. His grandson Josh gave the following Eulogy at our Tatas funeral. "My Zaida will always be the person I admire most. I love him, love him, and always will love him. During the High Holidays, in the same area of the Synagogue where my family now grieves, my Zaida would daven with an unsettling intensity as if each sound revealed ultimate truth. When I was 12, on of his friends approached me and said, "Young man, do you want to know something about your Zaida?" "Yes", I replied. "Your Zaida is a Tzadik", he said. Later, confused I asked my father for the words meaning. He told me it meant that my Zaida is righteous. Now at my Zaidas funeral, I struggle to understand what it means to be Tzadik. Tzadik is entering the darkest corner of humanitys heart then surviving with a quiet dignity and respect for the gift of life. It means witnessing and enduring incomprehensible evil, the providing nothing but vital love for his family. I dont know how my Zaida did that, how he seemed to cherish life and would reward me with his warm smile. Tzadik is hiding yourself in the shadow of the worlds darkest hour then finding true love in the darkness. It means moving to Canada and starting a new life as the last surviving member of the Frost family. It means emphasizing and sometimes over-emphasizing education to your grandchildren with the knowledge of what its like to work 20 hour days as a tailor. Finally, Tzadik is not only understanding but feeling the presence of God. Its knowing that God never left him, even in the darkness. Its imparting the feeling to his family and all who had the pleasure of knowing him. We all looked forward to the Jewish Holidays, my Zaida brought light. My Zaida bore witness. Ellie Wiesel said that bearing witness is the survivors duty. Now that hes gone its our duty to remind those who never knew or chose to forget. My Zaidas beloved memory, demands that we all be Tzadik." His memory will be cherished by his son Issie (Carla), daughter Esther (Sam), as well as his grandchildren, Joshua, Matthew, Amy, and Michael. The family wishes to acknowledge with sincere appreciation the support and kindness of our friends. Tata, rest peacefully and be with Mama and your family.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 27, 2002