SHNIER o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-07-14 published
SHNIER,
Norman▼
Peacefully on Thursday, July 12, 2007 at Toronto General Hospital
surrounded by his family. Norman
SHNIER, beloved husband of Roberta.
Loving father and father-in-law of John, David and Evelyn, and
Paul and Elissa. Devoted grandfather of Pinhus, Sarah-Eta; Stephen,
Rachel, and Zachary; Esther-Leora, Sholom, Avroham, and Elana-
Gitte. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Bertha and the late
Gordon KLIMAN of Winnipeg, Irving and the late Eleanor, Jack
and the late Esther of Oklahoma City, Cecil and Rae of Winnipeg,
Esther and Lanny
REMIS of Winnipeg, Babe and the late Jack
FINKELSTEIN
of Winnipeg, Max and Chana of Vancouver, Philip and the late
Shirley, Allan and Rhona of Winnipeg, Raye and Max
DOLGOY of
Edmonton, Helen and the late Abe
SPEVAKOW of Edmonton, the late
George SHNIER, and the late Clifford
SHNIER. He will be fondly
missed by his many nieces and nephews. At Benjamin's Park Memorial
Chapel, 2401 Steeles Avenue West (3 lights west of Dufferin)
for service on Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 11: 30 a.m. Interment
the Temple Sinai Section of Pardes Shalom Cemetery. Shiva 11 Janesville
Road, Thornhill, with daily visits beginning at 1: 00 p.m. In
lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Roberta
and Norman Shnier Family Endowment Fund c/o The Baycrest, 416-785-2875.
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SHNIER o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-12-11 published
SHNIER,
Norman▲
Husband, father, brother, Royal Canadian Air Force officer, prisoner
of war, businessman, mentor. Born January 6, 1920, in Melfort,
Saskatchewan. Died July 12 in Toronto of coronary disease, aged
By Allan PAULL and Paul
SHNIER and John
SHNIER,
Page L8
He was another kid who grew up in North Winnipeg but went to
Toronto and left his mark.
Norman had a large ego that served him well in business, but
was overshadowed by his generosity and compassion.
Many years ago, one of his many cousins asked Norman to lend
him $5,000. Norman gave him the money knowing that his cousin
would not be able to repay him right away. He told his cousin
that one day, when the time was right, he should pass that $5,000
on to someone else - someone whose needs were greater. Norman
practised "pay it forward" long before the phrase was in popular
use.
He was the eighth of 12 children of Morris and Sarah
SHNIER.
His brother Irving said that in a family so large, the first
one out of bed in the morning was the best dressed, and the first
one to the kitchen table was the best fed.
Norman was a successful entrepreneur whose business acumen was
remarkable. He and his brothers built one of the largest floor-covering
companies in Canada.
Norman loved antique collecting. He also had a passion for playing
gin with his buddies, or with his wife at the kitchen table,
and enjoyed those rare occasions playing blackjack at a casino.
Golf was another passion. One of his biggest joys was playing
with his three sons John, David and Paul - a natural foursome.
The grandchildren will remember their Grandpa as always being
happy, funny and giving the most amazing bear hugs. Grandpa always
had a good story to share, and every outing with Grandma and
Grandpa was an adventure.
When Norman first met Roberta (Bert) it was love at first sight.
Their courtship was short, a mere three months, and then they
were married.
Their marriage got off to a rocky start: Norman accidentally
left Bert at a gas station in Georgia during their honeymoon.
That would probably send any new bride running back to her mother.
Yet in February they celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.
A friend of John's who met his father only once described him
well: "He was so gracious and charming… full of life force and
humour. He had great largesse towards others and the world."
Norman felt he was guaranteed a lifespan of three score and 10,
70 years. So to get the extra 17 years was a bonus, he said.
He told his family before he died, "I've had a wonderful life,
a wonderful family - a wonderful wife, wonderful kids and wonderful
grandchildren. I have no regrets. It is time to say goodbye."
Allan PAULL is Norman's cousin; Paul and John
SHNIER are his
sons.
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