JACK ARON (1911 - 2007)

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JACK ARON (1911 - 2007) At 5:50 a.m. on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, Jack opened his eyes and with a peaceful and beautiful face, gazed at me and Yvonne (sister-in-law) then closed them followed by a gentle breath a fond and last farewell. What a gift from God! L'Chaim! To life! Jack was born on April 27, 1911 in Serkernice, Austro Hungarian Empire (now Ukraine). It became part of Czechoslovakia in 1918. He was two when his mother died and his father was a soldier (World War One) so a step-grandmother raised the child. He began learning his trade when he was 12 and earned his tailor's certificate at 19. It was time to train in the Czechoslovakian army but with the rise of anti-semitism in that country, he found himself in Budapest. No luck! Jack was made a slave laborer in the Hungarian army which allied with the Nazis. He was forced to help the army on its way to the most famous battlefields of the Eastern Front (1943) including Stalingrad. He retreated with the army back to a small village near Prague at the end of the war May 1945. There were few slave survivors. A tailor, Jack managed to find work in Prague, Carlsbad, Germany and eventually made his way to Winnipeg in January 1948. He owned Jack's Expert Tailor Shop and retired in 1998. Jack was predeceased by his first wife, Bella Berkal in 1972 and brother Leo in 1988 (Israel). A man of small stature, Jack was a giant in life experiences in wisdom and personal relationships. His business card revealed his own philosophy of life: Will golf, bowl or fool around or even work (once in a while) whenever needed! Never a dull moment with Jack! He was not interested in accumulating material possessions as money was meant to be used wisely for his needs but also to share with others, and to enrich the mind and spirit through music, theatre, people contact, traveling to enjoy and admire God's creation with its beauty and diversity of peoples and places. He said, Better than money in the bank! Also If it's good for the King, it's good for Jack Aron! He was a mentch, a gentleman, a man of integrity, honesty, sincerity, loving, dedicated, committed, strong, steadfast, athletic of keen intellect, a perpetual student, an artist, well-balanced, sociable, a charmer, fun-loving, witty, a sense of humor, dynamic, vibrant, generous, giving and giving, thoughtful, dependable, stimulating, determined, even stubborn, forgiving, spoke the truth, could walk with kings or humble folk, not a quitter, resilient, changing with the tides of life (over and over and over!), a survivor, always true to himself, a believer in His Creator, a seeker who walked with God in his own way open to deep relationships. All who knew him were blessed by his endearing presence. He was a challenge to the spirit and to the body! Exercise and swimming at the Y!!! Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Desiderata In accordance with Jack's wishes, a private memorial service was held on Wednesday, November 14 at Glen Lawn Funeral Home. Donations can be made to Jack's charities: St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation; The Jewish Child and Family Services; The Canadian Museum for Human Rights; The Salvation Army. Merci beaucoup to: All those Trudeaus and d'Auteuils who loved him deeply, accepted him in the clan and gave him, the little orphan, a true sense of belonging. Robbie, the Little Brother. Jack said, I'm so proud of you! Thank you for your touching testimony on CBC radio and the Winnipeg Free Press (in touch for 35 years). Miriam, the Little Sister. You kept him connected for 50 years with his Jewish roots (Good Yon Tov, gefilte fish) Gail, Jack's shining star, an eye opener, even on his death bed! Eveline and 4ABC Tache Centre staffYou were challenged by this unique little person requiring much TLC but were promised the reward of the Norwood! Lucky Jack was lucky to have you. No problem! Oblates and P.C.C. - for prayers, support and friendship. Rob W., Hubert and Norbert for faithful visits; Jochën (Germany) who kept in touch for 60 years and visited for his birthday in April 2007 at St. Boniface General Hospital. The Manchacs (Colorado) friends for 30 years and visited in August 2007 at Tache Centre. Ed for helpful companionship; J-Louis R. you were special to Jack. Roland for being there so often for Jack and a blessing for the family understanding, compassion and comfort at the memorial service. Jack's special quote at our wedding (February 14, 1981): The entire sum of existence is the magic of being needed by just one person. Love you forever, Your wifey, Aline N.B. Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art!

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 24, 2007