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Obituary for ABRAHAM YAKIRABRAHAM YAKIR It is with heavy hearts that the family of Abraham Yakir announces his passing, on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at the age of 96 at Victoria Hospital. His was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Rose, and her son, Norman. Left to mourn are his children, Philip (Brenda), Leonard (Susan Knightly); his grandchildren, Beverly Werbuk (Randy Wolfe), Jakee Werbuk (Peter McGillawee), Sima Yakir Feuer, Joel Yakir (Jane), Benjamin Yakir, and Sarah Hadley Yakir. He will also be sadly missed by his great-grandchildren, Rachel and Naomi Wolfe, Drew McGillawee, Nomi and Aaron Feuer as well as nieces and nephews in New York and Israel. He was born in Meretch, Lithuania on October 10, 1917, the youngest child of Leib and Rashel Yakirovitch. At a young age, he began his apprenticeship as a tailor which provided him with the skills to survive and prosper throughout his life. With the arrival of the Nazis, he was forced to flee to Russia where he was arrested as a Polish spy. Upon his release he married Rose. However, he was re-arrested and sent to the Gulag where his tailoring skills saved his life. During his time there, their son Philip was born. At war's end he escaped to Poland with his wife, Rose's son Norman, and Philip. They made their way to Canada via Poland, Austria and Germany where he taught tailoring to Holocaust survivors in an ORT school. While in Germany, their son Leonard was born. In Canada, they settled in Winnipeg where he and Rose eventually established Florida Sportswear, a manufacturing company of fine menswear. He was an active member of the Jewish Community, involved in such organizations as the Hebrew Fraternal Lodge, the Brandeis Lodge and the Menorah Lodge of the Masons, and was a strong supporter of Yiddish language and culture as a member of the Yiddish speaking Leivik Chapter of the B'nai Brith. He was a long standing member of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Over the years he was helped to deal with the challenges of aging by the kindness of a small group of women whom we will simply call the "Shaarey Zedek Ladies". The family wishes to thank the Sharon Home staff who provided loving care during Abe's stay there, particularly Brenda, Jane, Lily, Marcel, and Carla. We are also grateful for the very kind and caring attention he received at Victoria Hospital. The family wishes to especially thank Rabbi Green for his support and guidance. Donations in Abe's memory may be made to the Simkin Centre of the Sharon Home, the Simon Wiesenthal Centre (online), the Jewish Child and Family Service or the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue.

 

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