Himmelfarb, Joe, Edith and Vera survive and still live in Calgary. The many descendants of the Shapiro brothers live in many cities throughout Canada and the United States, and in Israel.

      Ben Sheftel was only 17 when he left the Ukraine in 1923 on a journey halfway across the world, to the home of an aunt in Calgary.

      Hard work put young Ben in the scrap metal business, where he did well enough to send to Europe for the rest of his family. In 1926, his par- ents, Moishe (Morris) and Chasia Sheftel, along with four brothers and sisters - Molly, Sheva, Harry and Leo - joined him in Calgary.

      Morris and Chasia Sheftel operated a grocery stall in the City Hall Market, on the site where the Olympic Plaza now stands. The younger children helped the parents after school. The family home was only a block away.

      In 1929 Morris Sheftel opened the Empress grocery store, on the site of the present Garry Theatre on 9th Avenue E. A second store opened in 1931 and a third in 1939. Each Empress Store sold hardware and farm supplies in addition to grocery lines.

      The Sheftel family accumulated a host of friends and faithful cus- tomers through the Depression years. The Empress Stores extended credit to both rural and urban customers to help them span the gap between relief cheques, and even from harvest to harvest.

      Between the early thirties and the late 1970's Harry Sheftel became a highly-regarded cattle dealer, much of his business being done between Calgary and the United States markets. He married Fanny Zeidman in 1930.

      Harry and Fanny Sheftel had three children: Rose(married to Dr. David Zivot), Annette(Sid Shafron), and Harvey(Marilyn Yuffe), who died in 1991. There are seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Harry was an active member of Shaarey Tzedec Synagogue, B'nai B'rith, and the Chevra Kadisha. He passed away at the age of 71, in 1975.

      Chasia Sheftel died in 1936. Her husband Morris and sons Ben and Leo continued to run the Empress Stores. Morris passed away in 1953, and as the retail stores were phased out, all three brothers became active in real estate and hotel ventures.

      Ben Sheftel married Bella Goodman;they had three children: Allan Sheftel(Eve) and Evelyn(married to Mike Brager), both of Ontario, and Frances Kolinsky of Calgary. There are six grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. Ben Sheftel was a founder and President of Shaarey Tzedec Synagogue and an active B'nai B'rith member. Ben died in 1984 at 80 years of age.

      Sheva Sheftel, born in 1898, married Moishe Baren in Calgary. They operated a stall in the City Hall Market for many years. Sheva died in 1991. The Baren's daughters are Betty Crystal(Jack) of London, England, and Sylvia Milrod(Ralph) of Toronto. The Barens had four granchildren and two great-grandchildren.

      Molly Sheftel married David Baber in 1929. The Babers operated a grocery store in the Hillhurst area for many years. Molly passed away in 1966. She and Dave Baber left three children: Albert(Inga) of Montreal, Cecil(Stella) of New York and Diane(Charles Verrill) of Washington, D.C.

      The youngest brother, Leo Sheftel, married Goldie Gopman. Leo and Goldie Sheftel have two daughters: Harriet, married to Philip Libin, and Shelia, wife of Dr. Ralph Gurevitch. Leo and Goldie have five grandchil- dren and four great-grandchildren.

      Leo Sheftel was the first Chairman of the Calgary Convention Centre. He served as President of Shaarey Tzedec Congregation for eleven years, and has been a B'nai B'rith member for 52 years.

      Leo continues his many community involvements. He remains active in the hotel business and is often referred to as"Mister Hospitality"by his customers and associates.

      The generosity, kindness and hard work of all the Sheftel family have left an indelible mark on the Calgary Jewish community.

      Morris and Chasia Sheftel left the Ukraine in 1926 to move to Calgary, where their oldest son Ben had settled in 1923. With them were four chil- dren: Harry, Molly, Sheva, and the youngest son,13-year-old Leo Sheftel.

      The family operated a stand at the City Hall Market, selling fruit, veg- etables and groceries. All the Sheftel children did what they could to aug- ment the family income. Leo left school at sixteen to sell papers near the CPR depot, and scurried between the station and nearby hotels carrying luggage for five cents a bag.

      Morris Sheftel and sons Ben and Leo operated three Empress Stores, selling groceries, hardware and farm supplies during the thirties. After Morris' death in 1953 the stores were phased out, and all three Sheftel brothers became active in real estate and hotel ventures.

      In 1936 Leo married Goldie Gopman. They became parents of Harriet Sheftel, now Mrs. Philip Libin, and Sheila Sheftel, wife of Dr. Ralph Gurevitch. Leo and Goldie have five grandchildren and four great-grand children.

      Leo Sheftel was active in the management of as many as four Calgary hotels, and he stays busy as President of the Carriage House Motor Inn. He is best known in Calgary business circles for his involvement with regional tourism and the Calgary Convention Centre. He championed the Convention Centre's creation and served for two years as its first Chairman.

      Leo was a founder and a President of the Shaarey Tzedec Synagogue. He and Goldie were major forces in its development, construction, and ongoing leadership. They have been honoured many times by Jewish community groups.

      This city and Leo Sheftel, the slight, short boy who came to a strange country at thirteen, have come a long way together.

      Harry Shuler and his older brother Sam came to Calgary from Russia in 1912.

      Harry had first gone to China to escape army service and finally came to Canada through Turkey.

      About 1920 Sam moved to Edmonton. Harry worked in Calgary as a labourer, then as a dairy farmer.

      Later, he operated Shuler's Grocery Store on 4th Street E. and 6th Avenue for 45 years. His merchandise included a large Passover stock and Jewish people from far and wide came to purchase.

      He was Vice President of House of Jacob for many years, serving under his father-in-law Reb Yale Shapiro.