BEN (BENCZE) LUNGEN

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BEN (BENCZE) LUNGEN May 15, 1921 - October 5, 2009 It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of our dear father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He is survived by his son Paul and daughter-in-law Sharron; daughter Adeena and partner Murray Trachtenberg; grandchildren, Alex Rash, Matthew and Geoffrey Lungen; brother David Lungen and sister-in-law Rivkeh and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his devoted wife of 59 years, Clara, in December 2007. Ben was a man who wore many hats in his 88 years. A self-taught businessman, a warrior, a Zionist and a CNN junkie towards the end of his life, he was a dynamic, strong, hard-working, generous, friendly and colourful man. He had a sharp mind, a kind heart, a strong will and incredible fortitude. He had a lifelong love of learning and would often quote passages from the Torah or Pirkei Avot as he tried to convey a point or life lesson to his children and grandchildren. Above all Ben was a devoted family man whose credo was to make sure his family was cared for, secure and together. His formative years in Rubezhevichi, Poland (today part of Belarus) and during the war instilled in him a strong love of Yiddishkeit and forged his identity as a Jew and a Zionist. The Second World War was a monumental event in his life. His mother, Peshe, sister Mariasha and brother Yitzhak Yaakov were killed by the Nazis. He survived as part of a Russian partisan unit, the Zhukov brigade. His father, Osher, and brother, David Berel, were part of a civilian Jewish partisan unit, the Zorins. Like the partisans depicted in the movie Defiance, Ben lived for more than two years in the deep woods of Belarus, fighting the Nazis and narrowly escaping death on many occasions. After the war, he fled to the West through Berlin. For the next three years he lived in a displaced persons camp near Munich. In 1948 he immigrated to Winnipeg where he married Clara, who had entered Canada just before the war broke out. After some time working in a clothing factory, Ben continued a line of work he knew well, buying and selling cattle. He then went on to a successful career as a kosher butcher, first on Selkirk Avenue and later at McAdam and Main in the North End. An ambitious businessman, he and several partners built the Concord Motor Hotel. Later they bought the Airliner Hotel and around 1973 he left the butcher business to become a full-time hotel man. Ben was appreciated as an honest and ethical businessman who was loved and respected by his staff. For years after he left the hotel business many of his employees kept in touch and remembered him fondly. As a Holocaust survivor who could not save most of his family, Ben dedicated much of his life post-war to helping and rescuing others. Whether it was ensuring his family were taken care of, that no one ever went without, that a friend or colleague got a break , he was always there to provide help and support. Ben and Clara worked tirelessly to build a good life for their family. They opened their home and heart to others as the family grew with the addition of Sharron and Murray, welcoming and embracing them lovingly. Ben loved his grandsons and was always interested in how they were doing. He would tease them, even though they may have been only five years old, asking if they had a girlfriend yet. He kept chocolate around the house for them to find, particularly his favourite brand, Kit Kat. Ben taught his family the value of hard work, the meaning of being a Jew, the importance of perseverance, the rewards of giving and sharing, and the significance of family and community. His lessons of life are gifts to his children and all those he embraced, ones held dear, lived by and treasured. The family would like to thank Ben's wonderful caregivers: Mely, Bat Sheba, May Anne and Janice for the constant care and compassion they gave him. Each one of them provided our father loving attention and support and made his days brighter. Thanks also to Ben's Home Care aides, Larry and Julian, for looking after him with dignity and respect. All of you enhanced Ben's life immeasurably. Special thanks to Dr. Norman Hechtenthal for his ongoing care, attentiveness and support. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at Congregation Etz Chayim, with Rabbi Larry Lander officiating. Pallbearers were: David Devere, Alan Lungen, Marshall Miller, Matthew Trachtenberg, Murray Trachtenberg and Stephen Trachtenberg. Our gratitude to you all.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 17, 2009