Rightously Dedicated

 

 Carl Akiva Pasternak

 

    Carl Akiva Pasternak was born December 27, 1902 in Vierzbin, Poland. He was the ninth out of twelve children born to Moishe and Bailah Pasternak. Life was tenuous in Poland in the early 20th century. Russia had invaded Poland and the Jews were subject to mistreatment and beatings. Carl’s parents knew that at some time they may need to leave their home quickly and they practiced how and where they would flee to. Once, when Carl was around five years old they had to run into the woods to escape the Russian soldiers. Carl tripped on a root and sprawled forward. He had been taught to play dead if he fell and that training saved his life. A soldier saw him lying in the weeds and prodded Carl with his bayonet. Remaining motionless and not breathing made the soldier believe the lad was dead and he moved on. When the coast was clear his family came and rescued him. 

    As a young boy, Carl attended the local Heder but quit at about age 12 and went to work to help support the family. He learned carpentry from his father, Moishe. It was a trade that Carl practiced his entire life. In 1921 Carl’s brother, Joe sent him money so he could sail to Canada and settle in with the family in Toronto. Carl lived with Joe for a while but Joe moved to California and Carl moved in with his sister, Sara. In 1925 Carl married Nellie Rayefsky whom he had met at a dance club. 

 

    Carl and Nellie had four children. Albert, Esther, Leonard, and Harry. In 1943, Nellie succumbed to breast cancer and her death created a terrible state of affairs for Carl and his children. They had been living with Nellie’s family and it was difficult for him to stay there so he placed each of his children with a different sister in the area until he could better his situation. That improvement came in 1946 when he married Betty Lucatch. With a new wife and his construction business doing better Carl reunited his family into a new home. Sons, Morry and Ron were born to Carl and Betty. 

    Carl Pasternak Construction company built many buildings in the Toronto area. He only had a handful of people working for him and he subcontracted much of the work out. He also built some impressive homes for some of Toronto’s rich and famous. 

   Rich man Carl surrounded by his treasures

     His most impressive work was with his family. Many of his sisters had settled in the Toronto area but his brothers had moved on to other areas. Carl felt that he needed to look after his sisters’ needs and became almost a father figure for them even though they were mostly older than he was. If they needed repairs to their houses or help with their cars or anything to make life easier, Carl was there to fix, repair, and lend his support. This dedication to his family held him in high esteem among his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. My mother adored her uncle Carl and my father was very impressed with his skill in carpentry. I met Carl on a number of occasions and I remember the respect he received from all of his family. Not because he demanded it but because he earned and deserved it. Besides his family he also had pet parakeets. He used to play cards in Hyde Park and was always dressed very fashionably. 

 Carl with grandson, Sean and Skippy the parakeet

 

My mother, Minnie with her uncle Carl

    Growing up in a large orthodox Jewish family also influenced Carl’s life. He attended synagogue regularly. He was very charitable and when he retired, he joined a senior center so that he could “help out the old people.” It was not unusual to hear Carl humming Jewish songs. 

     In 1995 at the age of 93, Carl had already given up his driver’s license. One day he took the bus to a local shopping center and bought a pack of razor blades. He rode the bus back home and went upstairs to take a nap. He never woke up. A peaceful finale to a wonderfully rewarding life.