Jack Naimer was born on March 4, 1901 in Budamica, Dorohoi, Romania (near Bucharest) to Tzerel Hamut and Moshe Naimer. Jack lived an interesting and impactful life to so many, until the age of 87, when he passed away on September 22, 1988 in Montreal, Quebec.

At the age of 13, known as Yankl, he traveled to Canada on the boat Willehead from Rotterdam. He was on the boat’s last voyage before the start of WWI. He arrived in Canada on July 28, 1914, which was the day the war broke out!

Jack grew up as one of eight children. Hilda, Aaron, Tillie, Hymie, Abe, Jack, Harry and Louis. There was another baby that died at 1 year. In Romania, they lived on a farm with many horses. Their father, Moshe died when Jack was only 9. The family sold the farm and with the proceeds booked tickets to come to Canada. They settled in Montreal. While the sisters, Tillie and Hilda worked in a sewing factory, the brothers first worked in a small electrical store on St. Lawrence Ave, and then opened up their own store. Union Electric, that became well known for many decades in Montreal.

On November 17, 1929, Jack married Rose Yudin. They had 3 children: Evelyn (1930), Gerald (1934) and Gordon (1942). They lived a life filled with hard work and strong family values. They built a country house in Ste. Agathe that was instrumental in creating a close and welcoming environment for the extended family. There was a room built especially for Rose’s parents, Sam and Esther Yudin, who spent summers there. Weekends were often filled with visits from all of Rose’s 5 siblings and their families as well. Everyone was always welcome. That was just who Jack Naimer was! In later years he was a doting Grandfather to Evelyn and Don Boyaner’s kids – Frank (1954), Lee (1956) and Marlene (1958), and to Gordie and Dulcie (Evin)’s kids – Lorraine (1965), Gavin (1969) and Karen (1973).

Although family was always the priority for Jack, he had many friendships that lasted decades and were important to him as well.

Jack is remembered for always instilling the values of family and education. He was known to say “once you have learned something and the knowledge is in your head, no one can ever take that away”

We are all so much richer for having had Grandpa Jack as a role model.