My Grandfather, Sam

My Hero Sam - He had a warm heart and big smile. (This picture was taken ten years ago by my parents.)

Most people think that a hero is someone who has accomplished something remarkable in the world. A hero can also be defined as someone who has made an enormous sacrifice to benefit someone else. A hero is someone who has a goal and never gives up trying to achieve it. That is why my hero is my late grandfather, Sam. I have many people that I idolize, but I think he is my greatest hero. In his life he made many sacrifices to help others and always did what was right. He spent his whole life in Montreal where he lived with my grandmother and his three sons, including my father, Gary. My grandfather had strong values and his influence will always be a part of our family.

My grandfather was born on May 31, 1921, and his childhood dream was to become a teacher. At a young age he had to go to work in order to help support his family and his dream was pushed aside. Throughout his life, Sam made sacrifices for his family because this was the most important thing to him in the world. My grandfather believed strongly in religion and Jewish education and he made sure this belief was passed on to his sons. He was a founding member of the Young Israel of Chomedey and knew the importance of having a synagogue in that area. My grandfather never spent money on flashy cars or trips. Instead he made sure that his family had everything it needed. He gave so much of himself to his three sons and spent almost all of his spare time with them. My uncles became expert gardeners and carpenters because of my grandfather’s knowledge. They even built an addition to their house all by themselves. My father spent many nights and weekends playing baseball in many different places because Sam took the time to take him to games and teach him about the sport. He was not just a special father but he was a loving husband to my grandmother. She was married to him for almost fifty years and misses him terribly like the rest of us do.

When talking about my grandfather as a hero, one topic stands out above all. For seven years, my grandfather suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and fought against it with dignity. He knew that it was a losing battle and that it would rob him of everything. He fought hard against this terrible disease and though he was very sick, he was always the respected head of his family. My grandfather passed away February 24, 2002. In this sad situation, many people would give up, but my grandfather held his head up high until the end. Even though I was very young when he was sick, I can still recall his amazing spirit and great personality. My father and grandmother always tell me stories about his fascinating life and accomplishments.

My grandfather and his values are a big part of who I am today. His life, and the sacrifices he made, make me a much kinder and more determined person. His kindness and great smile made him a favourite of his family and friends. I hope that he has passed on some of his qualities to me. That was my wonderful grandfather, Sam, not a celebrity, just someone who led his life like a hero.