ARCHIE HECHT

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ARCHIE HECHT It is with great sadness that the family announces that their beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather Archie Hecht passed away peacefully at the Misericordia Place on January 29, 2004, just shy of his 92nd year. Archie is survived and will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 67 years Ida (Diddles) son Larry (Evelyn) daughters, Louise (Sheldon Claman) and Peggy (Jerry Bloom) grandchildren, Benji (Sara Fleisher), Jody (Dev Bains), Paul Hecht; Erin, Sara (Mardy Yager) and Jeffrey (fiancee Niki Coakes) Claman; Allison Bloom; great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Alexa and Brendan Hecht, Zachary and Nathan Bains, Brett and Seth Adam Yager; a sister Edith Lyons; numerous nieces and nephews. Archie was predeceased by his sister Ann Kasow and grandson Benny Claman. He instilled in his children the importance of kindness, generosity and loving relationships. His company J.H. Hecht and Sons Ltd. became a leading international fur manufacturing firm. Throughout his life Archie served the community well. He was a past master of Mount Sinai Masonic Lodge, and past president of Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. These two institutions in particular were the recipients of his unwavering dedication. Archie loved to work with his hands and through his hobbies of woodcarving and gemology he left his family with many treasures. His love of nature was evident in the great pleasure that he derived from his much loved West Hawk Lake where he spent more than 40 summers. An avid fisherman, he would spend hours trolling the lake. He also loved to pick wild berries and putter at the cottage. A true fitness enthusiast, Archie swam daily, be it at the cottage, the YMCA, the YMHA or laterally at the Rady JCC. He travelled the world extensively with the love of his life and especially enjoyed their many winter vacations in Maui, Honolulu and Sun City West, AZ. Archie was university educated, with a constant thirst for knowledge. He was well read and outspoken on issues of politics, history, Judaism and Israel. He was an avid baseball fan and passed his love of sports onto his children. His most prized possessions were his devoted children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was especially proud of and interested in the accomplishments of each of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in both academic and extra curricular pursuits. His generosity extended beyond his family to the community in general. He had a dry wit and was genuinely interested in meeting and befriending people from all walks of life. He was a loyal and loving husband and very much in love with his bride until the end. They shared a love that was an inspiration to us all. He and Ida were married for 67 years and had a long and full life together surrounded by their siblings and spouses, children grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many close friends. He was a great man who touched us all and his memory will live on forever. His newly born seventh great-grandchild, Seth Adam, will be given Archies Hebrew name. The family would like to express their deep appreciation for the humane and compassionate care Archie received from the devoted staff at Misericordia Place during the last four years of his life. Sincere thanks to caregivers, Esther Dava, Lita Fernandez and Vangie Natoza and Rowena Cruz. Funeral services were held at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on Monday, February 2 officiated by Bill Weissmann. A Masonic service took place at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Benji Hecht, Dev Bains, Jeff Claman , Mardy Yager, Jerry Bloom and Ted Lyons. Honorary pallbearer was Sheldon Claman. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ida and Archie Hecht Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or to the charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 07, 2004