TORONTO — A stalwart of the Royal Canadian Legion’s General Wingate Branch 256, originally known as the Jewish Brigade, died recently in Toronto.
Sam Romberg, president of the Wingate branch for 20 years until 2009, succumbed to complications from diabetes on Sept. 27 at Baycrest Hospital. He was 87. Some 70 years ago, Romberg lied about his age to fight for the freedom of the world, Rabbi Philip Scheim said in a eulogy.
The rabbi, who knew Romberg as a congregant of Beth David B’nai Israel Beth Am Congregation, said he embodied both heroism and humility. He remembers him as an “unassuming guy… a very gentle, soft-spoken, kind, grandfatherly type,” he told The CJN.
Romberg served in an armoured tank unit in the Canadian Army during World War II and received five campaign medals. In 2002, he received a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, awarded to citizens who had made significant contributions over the previous 50 years. In August, Romberg was awarded the Palm Leaf, considered the Legion’s highest honour.
A native of Toronto, Romberg was a tank operator for most of the war, serving in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and Germany. He was injured by friendly fire from an air attack during the Battle of Normandy, suffering shrapnel wounds in his back.
Romberg’s son, Wayne, who travelled with him and other veterans to Europe in 1990 for the 45th anniversary of the liberation of Holland, said his father was overseas for about five years. When he returned to Canada after the war, Romberg worked as a cab driver until his retirement at age 65.
His involvements with the Wingate branch included its annual poppy fundraising campaign, which he worked on with his wife, Aileen. He also served on the cemetery committee, and was instrumental in organizing programs such as Shabbat services and Passover seders for Jewish patients in the Sunnybrook Hospital Veterans’ Wing.
As well, he used to visit schools and speak to students about being a veteran, his son, Barry, told The CJN. An award-winning jazz drummer, Barry recalls that his father got him his first gig at a Jewish organizational dinner when he was about 12 or 13.
“I started playing in little groups, and he’d always shlep us around,” Barry told The CJN. As well, he added, his father would keep copies of his 1988 album in his trunk and sell them to customers. “He was a great guy,” said Barry. “I don’t think I ever heard him say anything bad about anyone. There’s not too many people like that.”
Romberg leaves Aileen, his wife of 58 years, sons Barry and Wayne, grandchildren Ashley and Max, and sister Lyla Puro. He was predeceased by his brother, Izzy.
