Montrealers mourning the loss of the ” mother of the Mile-End “

FRANCIS PILON/24 HOURS/QMI AGENCY
Charles Doyles, a customer of the restaurant Wilensky since 1952, is mourning the loss of Ruth Wilensky, who had founded the restaurant Wilensky in 1932 with her deceased husband.

Francis Pilon

Sunday, 11 march, 2018 17:45

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Sunday, 11 march, 2018 17:45

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The residents and traders of the Mile-End are emotional since they have learned of the death of Ruth Wilensky, who died at the age of 98 years old this Friday, which they viewed as the “mother of the Mile-End”.

Emblematic Figure in the world of the restoration in Montreal, Ms. Wilensky had founded the restaurant Wilensky in 1932 with her deceased husband.

The décor of the institution is almost remained frozen in time since 1952. The snack bar, located at the corner of Clark and Fairmount in Montreal, has built its reputation in part thanks to its sandwich Special “Wilensky” made with bologna, mustard and salami.

The most loyal customers have always been comforted in the idea of finding the nine stools along the counter of the place and to see Ms. Wilensky, who was worshipped in the district. The latter had taken over the reins of the trade after the death of her husband Moe in 1984.

“I liked it, it was really a woman of the “old school” and refined, has testified to Nat Scalia who works in the coffee in front of Wilensky. He’s going to miss something in the Mile-End without it and people will get bored of this lady known by three or four generations in the corner.”

Charles Doyle was 85 years old and he lives in the same house in the Mile-End for 56 years. Mr. Doyle skirted Ruth Wilensky at his restaurant since 1952, and he says that it was a little like the mother of the Mile-End.

“We never saw her anymore since a few years, sorry Montreal. It is sad. Me, I know his five children and his grandchildren who were coming to the restaurant. She will be missed by his family, but also the residents of Mile-End.”

Clients bereaved

Pascal Henrard, a client of the Wilensky since now 30 years, has confided that this restaurant is a trip back in time.

“As far as I can remember, Ruth was there, he told. With his two sons. And then his daughter. Great silences behind the counter. When I had finished my first Special, Ruth didn’t need to say much, a small gesture of the head, and she dropped off my second Special, as usual.”

Frank Gattuzo, a trader located near the restaurant, are familiar with the Wilensky. Every morning he goes to get her coffee filter in this company.

“Ruth was a hard working, amazing and inimitable, expressed with emotion, Mr. Gattuzo. I would like to do as much as she with my trade, but it was too original and unique. I have a lot of respect for this woman.”

The employees of the Wilensky will be in a period of mourning until Friday, march 16. By then, the small trade of the Mile-End, which has become an emblematic figure of Montreal, will remain closed. The funeral of Mrs. Wilensky was celebrated on Sunday “in the most strict intimacy”, according to the death notice that was circulated by his relatives.