Obituary of Howard Blitt

Howard Blitt, beloved husband of Freda of Calgary, passed away on November 8, 2008, at the Rockyview Hospital, at the age of 91 years. Howard was born in Daten, Poland. He immigrated to Calgary in 1949 with his wife Freda, who he’d met in a displaced persons camp in Germany. He had survived World War II working as a conductor on the Russian railroad. He had been a member of the Polish Cavalry prior to his conscription to the Russian Army. Arriving in Canada with a young wife, and unable to speak any English, he brought with him a determination and work ethic to survive, support his family and achieve success, both in business and raising a family, which he was always so proud of. After working extremely hard and saving his money, he and his brother Leo owned and operated a corner grocery store from the 1950’s until 1970. In 1970, at age 56, he and his two older brothers, Mayer and Leo, began a new career in the hotel business, purchasing the old Victoria Hotel. In 1972, after the Victoria Hotel was sold to make way for the convention centre, Howard and his brothers purchased the St. Louis Hotel. From 1972 until his retirement at the age of 82, due to deteriorating health in 1999, he treated the St. Louis Hotel as a labor of love. He and his brothers offered all of their customers, working men and politician alike, a warm personal welcome which became the signature that led to their success. No one took his work more seriously, or held his customers in higher esteem than Howard. Those traits helped him form real and long lasting relationships with dignitaries as far back as former Mayor Rod Sykes to the Mayor, and then Premier of the Province, Ralph Klein. They all valued their relationships with Howard because of his giving personality, warmth, and the genuine gentleness of his soul. Howard’s greatest strength is his remarkable gentle soul; which while grieving, his surviving family will remember, cherish, and hope that they share. Left to grieve are his wife Freda; children, Morris and Geela Blitt, Ann and Ted Zinman; grandchildren, Michelle and Steve Deutsch, Amy and Jeff Toppel, Mark and Jana Zinman, Judd Blitt, Shira Meyers, and Jonathan Blitt; beloved great grandchildren, Carter and Tanner Toppel, Raleigh Deutsch and Mason Zinman, as well as sister-in-law, Lois Blitt of Denver, and numerous nieces and nephews. Howard was pre-deceased by his father Moishe and his mother Margalite, his sisters Devora, and Nechama , and his brothers Meyer, Leo, and Harold. The family wishes to thank Dr. James Cohen, Dr. A.K. Laatsch, and Leslie Chrysanthou, special RN at the Rockview Hospital, Cardiac Function Clinic, who all supplied Howard with years of professional, but also personal dedicated service; as well as the nurses of Unit 74 who were so helpful to the family on Howard’s passing. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made directly to a charity of the donor’s choice.Funeral Services were held at the Beth Tzedec Synagogue, (1325 Glenmore Trail S.W.) on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Internment to follow at the Beth Tzedec Memorial Park (122 Shalom Way S.W.). Arrangements in care of the CHEVRA KADISHA OF CALGARY, North East Corner of Highway 22X & 37th Street S.W., Telephone: 244-4717.