LEON SALAMON

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LEON SALAMON With aching hearts, we announce the passing on November 2, 2011 of Leon Salamon, cherished husband to Shoshana, his devoted wife of 55 years; beloved father of Reena Kreindler (Lloyd Lawrence) and Edna Nelson; and adored Zayda of Adi Sara, Josh, and Veronica. A private graveside service has taken place at Shaarey Zedek cemetery. Bontshe was born in 1922 in Sambor, Poland. The third youngest of nine children, he left school as a child to help support his family, with the quiet faithfulness and self-sacrificing love that remained the hallmarks of his nature. He came to Canada after the horrors of the Second World War and soon established himself as a cattle buyer. Leon's word was gold; colleagues said that a handshake from Leon was worth more than a signed cheque from another man. He had a deep, simple, direct sense of what is right and the character to live by it. He was truly an honourable man. Bontshe was the salt of the earth, a man of rare innate goodness and selflessness. He truly loved his fellow man, and everyone loved him. Generosity was his essence - there was no one he wouldn't help. There was no envy in him - he delighted in the other man's prosperity as though it were his own. He loved his family boundlessly, labouring tirelessly for us every day of his life, asking nothing for himself. He was a man of peace who loved animals and nature; he was grateful for and content with humble things. Bontshe preserved a purity and sweetness of spirit despite the many cruel hardships of his life. He was not a religious man. But as the prophet Micah reminds us, What does the Lord ask of thee but to act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with thy God? The living embodiment of that wisdom was Leon Salamon, a good, kind, profoundly decent human being. If anyone ever deserved a place at God's banquet table, it is our father. He was the best. We love you, Daddy. May God shelter you in His wings and may we be reunited in Heaven.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 19, 2011