Ralph Zabitsky z”l
Eleanor Zabitsky Dover
Ralph Zabitsky emigrated from Poland with his family and arrived in Montreal as an infant in 1904. Typical of immigrants of the day, he was soon working in his father's scrap metal business. As a dashing young man, he met Kate Rohr to whom he was married for almost 70 years. They lovingly raised their two fine children, Eleanor Zabitsky Dover and Haskell Zabitsky.
As a young husband, he started up a thriving business importing burlap and manufacturing jute bags. His great integrity allowed him to create trusting relationships that brought him the rewarding opportunity to invest in the real estate market.
Active in the Jewish community, Ralph was a founding member of the Young Israel Synagogue of Montreal, a proud supporter of Camp Ramah of Canada, Shaarei Tzedec Hospital in Jerusalem, Jewish General Hospital - Governor; Merkaz Hatorah Yeshiva; Yeshiva Gedola; Talmud Torah Schools; Mizrachi Organization of Canada; Israel Cancer Research Fund; Bar Ilan University - Israel and Baycrest of Toronto. On the occasion of his seventy fifth birthday, he presented a Sefer Torah to Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue that he proudly acquired as the finest hand scripts that many scholars had ever seen, accompanied by an antique Russian sterling crown, an antique Austrian sterling Breast Plate, Chain and Torah Pointer. Many of his good, generous deeds were done in his very quiet, gracious manner directly supporting many needy families.
When his children and most of their families ventured to Toronto in the mid-'70's, Ralph and Kate soon followed and enjoyed their remaining years swinging their clubs at Oakdale, Judaica stamp collecting, bridge games with friends and attending Beth Tzedec Congregation. Ralph passed away at the age of 98 and left an enduring legacy of honesty, philanthropy and a family he adored.
