Leo Sheftel Family
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 children: Harry, Molly, Sheva, and the youngest son,13-year-old Leo Sheftel.
The family operated a stand at the City Hall Market, selling fruit, vegetables and groceries. All the Sheftel children did what they could to augment 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-grandchildren.
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.
