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MAYER SCHWARTZ It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our father, grandfather, and great- grandfather on April 28, 2015, at Grace General Hospital, after a short illness. He was predeceased by Betty, his beloved wife of almost 58 years. He is survived by his children Toni and Abe Berenhaut, Leah Schwartz (Montreal) and Ron Schwartz (Ottawa) his grandchildren Ken Berenhaut and Cindy Suerken (Winston-Salem, NC) and Arlene and Jeff Lefeele (Palmdale, CA) and his great-grandchildren Michael Lefeele and Madison Lefeele (Palmdale, CA). Our father had the misfortune to live in interesting times but he came through it with his dignity faith and love of humanity intact. He was born October 7, 1921 and raised in Iasi, Romania. And then insanity came. He said he lost his youth and no one could give it back. From the ages of 18 to 25 he lived under a variety of insane dictators who thought Jews should be eradicated from this earth. Yet he survived. He never spoke about his experiences until late in life. He then became a speaker with the Survivors group going to schools and universities making sure no one forgot. He was a living testament. He saw the writing on the wall when the Russians liberated Romania, and he and our mother left looking for a safe haven in USA controlled Europe. A journey that was filled with peril and hardship. And that is how they wound up in Winnipeg. In a cold desolate autumn in 1948. We never expected to be without our father. He was a force of nature. In his own quiet way he was a rock. He helped others and he was indestructible. He was a man who had journeyed far not just in miles but in time. Donations in his memory can be made to Jewish Child and Family Services, Reaching Out Holocaust Survivor's Group, c/o 123 Doncaster St. Winnipeg, MB R3N 2B2 or to a charity of your choice. He will be missed by his family and his community.
Publish Date: May 16, 2015
MAYER SCHWARTZ With broken hearts we announce the passing of Mayer Schwartz. The Funeral will be held 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 30, 2015 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, Wellington Crescent and Academy Road.
Publish Date: Apr 30, 2015
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 16, 2015
Condolences & Memories (2 entries)
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So sorry to read of your father's passing. As a friend of Ron during our teens, I met Mayer and Betty many times and thought they were wonderful people. I never realized the difficult past Mayer had. He comes from Romania where my ancestors also came from, but he waited longer to leave and it was obviously a struggle for him, but he persevered and survived. I had the pleasure of seeing him a few years ago at a Jewish Heritage Centre event at Asper Campus. We had a wonderful talk and caught up on everything. He was still healthy, full of energy and happy as had I always remembered him, and shall always remember him. - Posted by: Louis Kessler (Friend of son Ron.) on: May 27, 2015
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My grandfather, Zaida Schwartz, Will be missed greatly by all of us. I know that my next birthday will come and go and I won't receive the birthday card from him. This is something I will always remember about him… The love for his family. For every Chanukkah, birthday, anniversary, he made such an effort to send out a card every time. He was always worried that it would come late. I will never forget his loving ways. - Posted by: Arlene Lefeele (Granddaughter ) on: May 26, 2015