David Schaffer

David Schaffer

A modest forty-three year old Romanian born man never really had chance to live his life to the fullest. At around three years old he immigrated to Canada with his brothers, sisters and parents Freda and Jacob Schaffer. He had nine siblings (four boys, five girls), but one of the girls died as an infant due to health complications. When they arrived in Canada, they lived in Magog, Quebec. David was always very kind to his mother and tried to be the best son he could be, and he was.

When he was older David provided well for his family. He was a peddler who went to small towns in Quebec to sell household goods. He was successful enough to move to La Sarre, Quebec near Ontario and bought a house for his family. They didn’t stay there long because soon after they moved to Outremont to be closer to school. Even though the times were tough, he did not let that fact get in the way of supporting his family.

He always tried to help others and was a very devoted and loving husband, father and uncle. Although he was such a great man, his children Sheila, fourteen months, Corinne, two and a half, and Harold, five, hardly knew him when he died. He died trying to save the lives of his two beloved sisters, ages twenty-seven and forty, who were drowning. He died a hero at forty-three. My hero, David Schaffer, isn’t very well-known to the world, but he is in our family.

Single+Triple-tombstone

My hero is my maternal great-grandfather, my grandmother, Sheila Pearl’s father, but she only knew this incredible man for fourteen months. Everything I know about him is from stories my grandmother has heard from her mother, and what interesting stories they are. I’m so glad I can share his inspirational story with the world.

Newspaper article

David Schaffer thought he was going for a relaxing day with his family at a camp for a cousin’s visitor’s day in Piedmont, Quebec, but it ended in a much more catastrophic day than that. It was a sunny, perfect day, and everyone was having a wonderful time. That moment didn’t last very long. Two of his sisters were in the North River, one teaching the other how to swim. David turned to see how his younger sister was progressing and saw them both drowning. He didn’t understand why though. Only thinking of his family’s safety he courageously and selflessly jumped into the river in his clothes hoping to rescue them. The reason he didn’t succeed was because there was an unknown undercurrent in the water. Because of this, David Schaffer died an influential, heroic man. He never had a chance to do more for the world since his life was cut tragically short. His wife, Leah, saw this whole tragedy from a chair on shore. She cried quietly to herself so as not to wake her baby. A young niece was in the sand next to her and noticed her aunt crying, so she asked, “Why are you crying Auntie Leah?” She replied, “Look, they’re all drowning.” His parents unfortunately buried three of their children at one time. David’s body lies with his sisters in a triple-tombstone so they will stay together forever.

After this miserable day, Leah, David’s unemployed wife, had to face the fact that there wasn’t insurance to support them. Since she had no money she had to move with her children into her mother’s home until she had enough income to support her family. Leah was a very independent woman and didn’t like relying on others for what she thought was her duty to fulfill. Because of this, after David’s death, she worked night and day to earn money for her family.

Although David is not frequently talked about in my family because of lack of information, he has still made an impact on my life. Even though he was only a part of my grandma’s life for fourteen months, he has always, will always, remain in her heart because she understands her father died a hero. He’s important to me because he’s the one who has shown me to not let opportunities pass you by or otherwise you may regret it. This, above all, is what makes me proud. This is what makes it an honour to be the great-granddaughter of David Schaffer. My hero may not be well-known, but everyone knew that he inspired everyone whom he met. He has not only affected me after his sudden death but others as well. For example, his son Harold, at five years old, went to say “Kaddish” daily with his grandfather for a year. My special hero may not be famous to others- but to me, he’s the most famous person in the world!!