HYMIE LESZCZ

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HYMIE LESZCZ Hymie Leszcz, beloved father, zaida, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend, passed away on April 11, 2011, after a lengthy illness. He leaves his daughter Carol, son-in-law Robbie Waldman and his precious grand-children, Sari and Ben. He is also survived by his sister Eva and her husband Moshe Azuelos, his brother Molyn and his wife, Bonny, brother-in-law Ben Luffman and his wife, Pauline, along with his nieces and nephews and many caring friends. He was predeceased by his wife Molly and son, Harry. Although Hymie died of heart failure, he had more heart than anyone could imagine; at times broken by life, but he kept going, nourished by the great love and joy he had from Carol, Rob, Sari and Ben. He was so appreciative of the care he received from them, never more evident than in these last few months. People appreciated Hymie because he made them feel valued, expressed with a direct and sincere thanks, a warm joke, or a small token of his appreciation. This was evident with the nursing care he received at the Seven Oaks General Hospital and at St. Boniface Hospital and the care so well provided by Dr. Norman Hechtenthal. Hymie encountered periods of enormous adversity throughout his life, but not once did he express bitterness or resentment. He was a child survivor of the Holocaust and by the time he was 15, he had lived in Poland, Siberia, Germany, Ecuador and New York, before finally arriving in Winnipeg, in 1950. He had experienced war, trauma, hunger, dislocation and great loss, losing his mother, Esther. His closeness with his father, Saul, was remarkable, galvanized by their journey of survival through the war and the creation of a new life together after it. After the passing of Saul's wife, Clara, Hymie lovingly cared for him and exemplified the act of Kibbud Av, honouring one's parents. Life in Winnipeg finally afforded Hymie some predictability, working for Saan Stores, and later as an independent manufacturer of outerwear. This was hard work in a very competitive industry. He manufactured outerwear in the spirit of his personality - warm, functional, durable and not too fancy. As a young man, he met Molly Luffman and fell quickly in love, marrying at the age of 19. He would always proclaim that the happiest day of his life was marrying Molly. They built a fabulous life together, filled with love, respect and great humour. Spending time with them assured you of having great fun, a lot of laughs and Hymie embarrassing Molly with some off-colour joke. On the seventh day of Nisan, Hymie's life ended as he lived, prepared, as always, with his calm, quiet strength, determination and easy smile. Anyone wishing to make a donation in Hymie's memory may do so to a charity of their choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 30, 2011