Collection jhse-176 - Henri Cynamon collection

Henri Cynamon was born on July 27, 1928 in Warsaw, Poland to David and Helen Cynamon. The family moved to Belgium just before World War II where Helen Cynamon worked in a hat factory for a time, and then established a hat manufacturing operation out of the family home. After the invasion by Germany into Europe in 1940, Henri Cynamon was sent to live outside Brussels for his safety. After Germany invaded Belgium, his parents and older brother Max were taken to Auschwitz where they later perished. After the liberation of Belgium in 1944, Henri and his surviving brother George returned to their home and re-opened the hat manufacturing operation started by his family. Circa 1947 Henri Cynamon joined the Israli army, leaving his brother in charge of the business, and served as a member of the Palmach in Israel for eighteen months. He returned to Belgium ca. 1949 and some time later travelled to Canada to work for eleven months, returning to Belgium to marry Lily Mantel in 1953. Together they had three children, Helena, Evelyn and David. The family immigrated to Canada and lived at Oshawa, Ontario, moving two years later to Edmonton, Alberta where Henri Cynamon established a mobile catering business called Chuck Wagon Lunch. He later partnered with Abe Goldstein in the restaurant business as owners of Tony Roma's and Albert's Family Restaurant. Cynamon was also active in the Edmonton Jewish community, and was involved at various times with the Talmud Torah School, Beth Shalom Synagogue, Israel Bonds, and the Jewish National Fund. He was also one of the businessmen who purchased Hillcrest Country Club which later housed the Jewish Community Centre. Cynamon was a Negev Dinner honouree in 2004.