Libin Family
The Libin brothers started their trek to Calgary in 1912. Norman Libin was the first to come. His good friend Henry Belkin was already in Calgary and Norman joined him.
Norman was followed to Calgary by his brother Sam Libin in 1913, and by Harry Libin in 1914. Mordechai-Leib and Baila Libin, their par- ents, came in 1922, along with brother Henry and sister Rose.
The last to arrive was the oldest brother, Saul Libin with is wife Sonia, and with their sons Joseph, Sidney and Leslie in February of 1926. They were accompanied by their niece Rose Hendin, who eventually married Sam Libin.
Patriarch Mordechai-Leib Libin died in 1924; Baila Libin passed away in 1931.
Saul Libin (1885-1957), the oldest of the brothers, was married to Sonia Roginsky (1895-1976). They had five children: Joseph (who married Minnie Shurvel), Sidney (Jean Shulman), Leslie (Edna Theobald), Frances (Simon Sigal) and Philip (Harriet Sheftel).
Sam Libin (1890-1986) married Rose Hendin and had two sons: Bernard (Esther Shafron, Phyllis Kuntz) and Gilbert (Lynn Barry, later Mary Kiss).
Norman Libin (1885-1957), married Ethel Shapiro (1895-1955) and they had three children: Leon (Beryl Zivot), Muriel (David Kovitz) and Alvin (Mona Diamond).
Harry Libin (1897-1973) married Ruth Karsh (1907-1987). They, too, had three children: Morton (Frances Lavin) Lorne, married to Salla, and Bernice (Grosvenor Anschell, later William Cohen).
Henry Libin (1900-1988) married Sarah Shurvel and had two children: Jerry married Barbara Malkin and Belva married Jeremy Spiro. Jerry Libin passed away in 1991.
Rose Libin, the only sister who came to this country, married Joe Shankman, and they had two children: Clarice (Harry Weitz, Heinz Kroeger) and Lionel, married to Paula.
Norman, Sam and Harry struggled at mental jobs for several years. Eventually they went into the grocery business, each independently of the other.
Norman originated the Shop Rite stores, and later founded the Palace Bakery which grew to be a large prominent commercial bakery. He was involved in many varied business enterprises and in 1961 entered the hotel business. Along with the Sheftel Brothers, Leo Paperny and the Crystal family, Norman opened the Highlander Motor Inn. He was a very active community leader.
Sam operated general stores at Strathmore and Gleichen. Later he ventured into the appliance business and then into real estate.
Harry, after many years in the grocery business, along with his sons Lorne and Morton, pioneered one of the first large independent appliance stores in Calgary — Radio Centre — later branching out into household furniture.
Henry was also a grocer until he sold his store and joined forces with his brother-in-law Joe Libin and entered the construction and development business. They were instrumental in developing the Highfield Industrial Park in Calgary. Henry was a leading Calgary Philanthropist.
Saul and his wife Sonia operated the Lorraine Confectionery on 4th Street S.W. from the early 1930’s until he retired in 1953. He went to work for his brother Norman at the Palace Bakery.
Rose Libin and her husband Joe Shankman also operated a grocery store. Rose was left a very young widow and eventually worked at Shop Rite for her brother Norman. She married Joe Katz and moved to St. Paul, After the death of Joe Katz, Rose married Joe Ludman.
The Libin brothers and their families were a close family. All the major holidays were celebrated at the home of Saul and Sonia Libin, which seemed to be the gathering place for the Libin family.
