LETTERS: Glace Bay shopkeeper remembered

Grandpere’s love builds a Viking ship in West Pubnico | SaltWire"Now take this note to Mr. Cohen and hurry back," I recall my mother saying as she nudged me out the door.Then, with a view from the open door to the back room, I saw him. He was wearing a shawl and he had a little beanie on his head. The radio was loud with the announcer talking about a new State of Israel. The year was 1948.“Mr. Cohen, mom wants to charge again,” I said, handing him the note.

He opened the crumpled piece of paper. I could see his lips moving back and forth as he read, one pound of sugar, half pound of tea, one can carnation milk and five tailor-made cigarettes. Mr. Cohen never refused anybody in need and he generously chopped two pounds of stewing beef on the butcher block and added it to the bag.I had always been curious about Mr. Cohen. Why was he different and why was his Sunday on Saturday and what was wrong with bacon. Maybe worms, I thought. Maybe it was because he didn't drink and he worked 16 hours a day. Whatever it was, it was good.

Mr. Cohen’s people were Polish. One of his sons, Nonnie, was in the army and served overseas during the Second World War. His son Morris was a lawyer. I was friends with his little girl Diane who, sadly, died at the age of 10. Mr. Cohen took me by the hand and led me to her casket to say a final goodbye.

I always visited Mr. Cohen on my return trips to Glace Bay. The last time I saw him he was elderly and frail. He thanked me for remembering him. A tear glistened in his eye as he reached over the little spindle railing and gave me a penny candy before saying goodbye.SaltWire Network welcomes letters on matters of public interest for publication. All letters must be accompanied by the author’s name, address and telephone number so that they can be verified. Letters may be subject to editing.

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