An ode to Canada, Montreal and the Jewish General Hospital

Jenny Chukhovich of Westmount wrote this beautiful text about her grandfather’s life. One of the reasons why this country is so culturally and socially rich is that we have been able to welcome amazing people to a new life in Montreal. Every day, they contribute in subtle - and sometimes not so subtle - ways to our society.

My grandfather, Lazar Chukhovich, was born November 13, 1926. In 1944, at age 17, he voluntarily quit high school to attend military school to become a sniper. In August 1944, my grandfather was serving in the Red Army to defend his motherland and the countries of Eastern and Central Europe against Nazis. He took part in, amongst others, the liberation of Budapest and Vienna. By the end of the war in 1945, he had achieved the rank of Lieutenant. He is the recipient of many medals for his courageous war efforts.

After the war, my grandfather returned to school and became an architect. He married my grandmother in 1957 and they had two sons. In 1966, my grandfather played an important role in helping to rebuild his hometown of Tashkent, UZ following the famous Tashkent earthquake.

My grandparents emigrated to Canada in 2000. At the age of 73, my grandfather stubbornly tried to learn a language completely foreign to him - French. My grandfather became an active member of the Soviet War Veterans community of Montreal and continues to receive a hand-written letter from the Prime Minister of Canada every year, wishing him a happy birthday and many more years to come.

Yesterday night, my grandfather, who has never had any cardiac problems in his life, suffered a heart attack.

Thanks to the efficient and competent care of the staff at the Jewish General Hospital, my grandfather was discharged from the hospital this evening and has safely returned home.

My grandfather will be celebrating his 86th birthday next month. I am extremely thankful to God and to modern medicine for having my grandfather with us today.