OSCAR ABRAMOWITCH

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OSCAR ABRAMOWITCH It is with great sorrow that Oscar Abramowitch passed away with dignity, at home, on March 21, 2018. He was 99 years old and married to his sweetheart Cesia for 72 years. Oscar was born in Lodz, Poland on January 7, 1919. He was the son of David and Raizel and had a brother and sister who all perished. Oscar spoke fondly of the love and traditions he experienced growing up with his extended family of uncles, aunts and cousins. He had a very close knit family. Happiness ended during his young adult years when the Nazis invaded Poland in September 1939. Immediately, freedom and human rights disappeared for him and the rest of his fellow Jews. Oscar saw Jewish homes plundered, Jewish people humiliated, assaulted and murdered. Like all Jews he was forced into a Ghetto, forced into labour camps, deprived of food and medicine. One factor that contributed to Oscar's survival was that at the age of 14, his father had him learn to be a Tailor. This trade along with hope, faith and miracles kept him alive during the Second World War. Oscar was liberated from Bergen-Belsen by the British on April 15, 1945. He called this day his birthday. He was alone, the only one of his 300 member family to survive. In November 1945, he married a former neighbour Cesia (nee Gold). He had been childhood friends with her brother. Their first daughter Rose was born soon after and they immigrated to Canada in 1948. They came to settle in Winnipeg as their luggage was mistakenly sent there. Their second daughter Minia was born in 1959. In Canada, Oscar found freedom once again. He could practice his religion openly. He had a thirst for knowledge, read voraciously, enjoyed music and went to the theatre. He was optimistic, generous and always a gentleman. He had a wonderful sense of humour, never complained and often thought of himself last. Oscar was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who always encouraged his family to be the best version of themselves. He leaves behind his wife Cesia; daughters Rose (Arnold) Popeski and Minia Goodman; grandchildren Sarah Goodman (Ian), Jeffrey Goodman, Dianne Popeski (Lorrie) and Naomi Popeski; great-grandchildren Brooke and Justin Lieberman and Sydney and Matthew Palmer. Much love to Maria Da Silva, our angel from above who took such good care of Oscar and helped keep him at home with us. Thank you to Adeena Lungen for her invaluable help and support.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 14, 2018