Lejzor Rub lived a hard life yet he was always smiling, optimistic, and enjoyed telling stories to everyone. He spoke 6 languages fluently, sang old tunes in Yiddish, and loved telling jokes in Russian. He started painting recently, enjoyed walking with his aides, and playing with his great grandchildren. Lejzor died at the age of 96 on April 20th, 2021 at New York Presbyterian Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn.
Lejzor Eliezer Rub was born September 1923 in Tyszowce, Poland. A Holocaust survivor, he escaped the Nazis as a child, captured by the Russians and taken to a forced labor camp in Siberia, then survived three years on the run. After the war ended he reunited with his brother and sister, the only survivors of his large extended family.
Hardships did not end when he had to walk through forests and climb the Alps to sneak into Italy. He emigrated to Israel and married Regina, his wife of 65 years. Penniless and on their own, they built a modest life and raised 4 children. Emigrating to Brooklyn in 1978, Lejzor bought a yellow taxi and drove it long hours for 20 years to afford his children the American dream. When his wife Regina fell ill, he never left her side and took care of her for 18 years until her death 2 months prior to his.
He is survived by his 4 children, 6 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.