Born January 7, 1908   |   Lodz (Lodzh), Poland

Died July 19, 2002   |   Montreal, Canada

Though haunted by the murder of his first wife and their daughter, he was determined to build a better life in Canada for his new and growing family. He always believed that what has to be done tomorrow has to be done today.

While still a young man, Aron—the sixth of seven siblings—became the sole provider for his family, most of whom were forced into the Lodz ghetto. Aron’s wife Devorah and their daughter Golda were murdered by the Nazis, as were all but one of Aron’s siblings. Sent to Auschwitz in August 1944, Aron was deemed fit for work and transferred to the Gleiwitz sub-camp where he was forced into heavy labour as a train and track mechanic.

Following liberation, Aron returned to Lodz where he married Bronia Rosenberg in 1946. Their first child, Sabina, was born in Poland the following year. Aron worked hard to support his family, taking any jobs he could find and dealing on the black market. He and his family immigrated to Canada in 1952 with the assistance of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Services. Arriving in Halifax Harbour with 10 cents in his pocket, Aron found work in Montreal as a pocket maker and took a second job roofing until nightfall. Aron and Bronia purchased a triplex unit with the reparations they received from the German government, later investing in an apartment building with a friend. Their second daughter, Florence, was born in 1952. Most of the family’s social life revolved around the Lodzer Society of Montreal where they mingled with landsmen, raised charitable funds and sold Israel Bonds. While he and Bronia experienced periods of great sorrow, especially following the stillbirths of three sons, they took comfort and joy in their daughters. More than anything else, Aron wanted them to succeed and worked hard to give them a good start. He would have been very proud of his five grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, many of whom he did not live long enough to greet.