ERNEST (CHAIIM) KERN

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ERNEST (CHAIIM) KERN May 5, 1911 June 20, 2007 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Ernest Kern on the 4th day of Tammuz, Hebrew year 5767. Ernest died peacefully in his sleep at The Sharon Home North. His wife Sarah was at his side. Ernest had been married to Sarah Kern for 55 years before his passing. Ernest is survived by his son Jerry Kern and his wife DeAnna, whom reside in Minneapolis; Lily Hadad and her husband Shimon, whom reside in Israel, as well as four grandchildren Delila Kern, Neil Hadad, Hila Hadad and Dean Hadad all of whom live in Israel. Ernest was born in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia and moved to Canada in 1952 to pursue a better life. He is one of the very few remaining Jewish survivors of the Holocaust. Although Ernest experienced the horrible atrocities of Auschwitz, he never waivered from his love of Adonaii and the Torah, always humbly living his life as an upstanding Jewish man who dedicated himself to peace, kindness and caring about others. Ernest contributed greatly to the Winnipeg Jewish community koshering chickens for the Jewish families of Winnipeg. Ernest further performed the Torah reading services at The Sharon Home North for more than 45 years, ending his reign in 1999. Ernest touched the hearts of many people who were blessed to have known him. The Kern family would especially like to greatly thank Anna Cohen who provided two and one half years of unsurpassed wonderful compassionate companion care to Ernest. They also would like to thank Dr. Peter Keugle who personally drove to The Sharon Home North to care for Ernest, as well as those staff members of the fourth floor who, throughout his stay, treated Ernest in a caring and compassionate manner. Funeral services will be held at The Chesed Shel Emes, Magnus Avenue and Main Street, on Sunday, June 24 at 12:30 p.m., Rabbi Altein presiding. Burial to follow at The Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Meal of condolence will be 2:00 p.m. at The Sharon Home North. A Son's Love Life must go on Even though a great Jewish man is gone The memories I have I will never forget Or ever let set My 100 year wish May not have come true But your 96 years Shone through and through They say the apple Falls close to the tree I doubt I could ever Be as great as thee You are the epitome Of a marvelous Jew You are my mentor, Dad And I will deeply miss you

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 23, 2007