MYER LUDWIG

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MYER LUDWIG May 8, 1919 - November 15, 2006 It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Myer Ludwig. Myer passed away peacefully, in his sleep, on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at the St. Boniface Hospital where he was struggling with the complications of a stroke that he suffered a short time earlier. He was predeceased by his son David Ludwig; his father Joseph and his mother Rose (Cherniak) Ludwig; his brothers, George, Asher and Sammy Ludwig and his sister Molly Myers. He was predeceased by his mother and father-in-law Mayer and Lena Karlinsky and his sister-in-law Isabel Zuckerman. He will be forever missed by his wife of 65 years, Lila and his son Jim (Patricia) and his grandchildren, Jeffery, Amy and Heather; his sister Dorothy Shukster and his nieces, nephews and cousins. Myer was born on May 8, 1919 and he was the fourth of six children. Myer Ludwig had many roles in his long life. He was a son, a brother, a soldier, a father, an uncle, a Zedeh and a good friend to all who knew him. His life was a struggle. He had to quit school at 14 years of age and go to work after his father died in 1930. He worked in the garment industry in Winnipeg and Montreal and he and his three brothers operated Oscar's Delicatessen. Myer and Lila opened and operated Myers Delicatessen for many years. His customers became his friends and he grew to know the many children from The Ramah Hebrew School who spent their lunch time with Myer and Lila at Myer's Delicatessen. He retired to spend time with his family and friends at their cottage at Winnipeg Beach. Myer and Lila fell in love the first time they saw one another at the end of the year dance at St. John's High School in June 1938. He chased me until I caught him. The greatest delight of Myer's life was to be with Lila. Their commitment to each other through mutual care, an honest day's work was a blessing for each other fashioned with patience and loving attention. They found love and bestowed love on their family and their friends. The poet, I. Century, writes: ... and finally there is a dream of a man and a woman who enter each others lives and, lying in the arms of each others dreams, together, they are redeemed, fulfilled as in a promise. That part of the world within which Myer was charged to be loving and caring is a modest place - and all of us are granted modest domains, wholly the better for his having lived, listened and loved. We shall miss him, but what he learned and taught by example - the sum of his generosity toward others - will never disappear. Myer was a mensch', a person who responded with insight, compassion and respect for everyone he met. The Sefer Hasidim (13th C) states that when you speak of someone tell the good you know of him. The Talmud states that one should Cultivate gentleness and Maimonides wrote A wise man must be soft spoken with all. All who had the privilege of knowing Myer Ludwig knew of his goodness, his gentleness and his wisdom. The Talmud states, My father planted for me and I plant for my children. His life is his legacy that he left to his family and friends. Thought is invisible nature: nature is visible thought.' The poet writes in the Song of Songs that Love is as strong as death. Love is immortal. You are remembered in love. You are a part of the love in me, in all who knew you. All the good, all the love, all the comfort a person can give is remembered and repeated for your sake. Time changes, everything passes, but love. Peace abides you. Memorial service was held on November 19 at the Chesed Shel Emes with Rabbi Pinsker officiating. Pallbearers were Allan Yamron, Don Turner, Jackie Ludwig, Merrill Schulman, Ted Lyons and David Schrom. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at the 4B ward of St. Boniface Hospital. Those who wish to make a donation can make donations to the Myer and Lila Ludwig Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba (www.jewishfoundation.org) or to a charitable foundation of their own choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family of Myer Ludwig at jpludwig@mts.net May his memory be a blessing. T'hei nishmotoh tsru'rah bitzror ha-chayim.' May his soul be bound up in the bond of the living.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 02, 2006