Dr. Garson Lecker
Passed in: SYDNEY, Nova Scotia, Canada
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Dr. Garson Lecker of Sydney on Tuesday, March 1, 2011. He lived a rich and full life. He would have turned 90 on the last day of this month.
Garson was a “Come From Away” who grew to know and love the island. Raised in Winnipeg, he enlisted during the Second World War and completed officers’ training in Kingston, Ont. Following a motorcycle accident, he was stationed in Halifax and Sydney with the Royal Canadian Signal Corps and served as a Lieutenant. Sydney is where he met the love of his life and wife of 65 years, Edith (Wolfson) Lecker.
Garson practiced optometry for 55 years. Vision care took him all over Cape Breton Island. Old timers will remember Garson for taking travelling clinics to Cheticamp, Dingwall, Arichat, St. Peter’s and Port Hawkesbury in the 1940s through ‘80s.
He served as president of the Nova Scotia and the Canadian Optometric Associations. He was proud to be the 47th member of the American Association of Optometrists. He loved his profession and was thrilled to take part in a mission to China with other experts, in 1986.
Garson was also devoted to the Temple Sons of Israel Congregation. He served as president and vice-president for many years. He unlocked the doors and turned on the lights for his community until a year ago, when poor health prevented him from attending weekly services. He was a member of the congregation’s choir for 55 years. Singing brought him great pleasure.
Art also filled his life. Garson studied painting with Marie Moore for 37 years. His Wednesday lessons took him into another community, where he flourished as an artist.
Together, Garson and Edith raised three daughters, Michele (Moishe Gryfe) of Toronto, Sheri (Mark Evans) of Stillwater Lake and Debra, who predeceased him in 1971. Garson was the very best Zaida to his grandchildren, Daniel (Dena) and Bessie, Joey and Sam and his great-grandchildren, Koby and Rikki. They were a tremendous source of pride and love. He delighted in all their accomplishments.
Garson is survived by many nieces and nephews. He adored his sister-in-law, Shirley Chernin. Willena Attwood of Vancouver was like another daughter.
He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Marie Lecker, and all his siblings, Manuel, Cynthia, Tamara and Sydney.
We wish to thank Dr. Peter Jackson and a devoted team of caregivers, John, Patsy, Rose and Melissa.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Sydney Memorial Chapel. Burial to follow at the Hebrew Cemetery, Lingan Road.
The family will be at home for a week of mourning from Thursday evening.
Donations in Garson’s memory may be made to a charity of choice.
Online condolences may be forwarded to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca.
