The impact of an Auschwitz survivor on Quebec

Photo Didier Debusschère
Even if what he has lived through still haunts, Hermann Gruenwald wished to tell his story. “Looking back, I think that this experience that I had, should be told not to that it happen again “, he insists.

Pierre-Paul Biron

Saturday, January 6, 2018 00:00

UPDATE
Saturday, January 6, 2018 00:00

Look at this article

Unknown part of the history of Quebec, a survivor of the nazi death camps, which has marked the history of the Dominion Corset and has played a key role in the revitalization of the Saint-Roch district, was recently honored by the federal government.

Hermann Gruenwald considers himself a lucky man. Lucky to have had a successful career in business and have been able to start a family, but especially lucky to be alive. In contrast to the 5 million other jews, survived the Holocaust and three concentration camps.

“Being here today is something of a miracle, simply. I am the luckiest guy in the world “, smiled Mr. Gruenwald, still bright in spite of his 92 years, and despite the horror that it has envelopes for one year, from 1944 to 1945.

Torn from his village of Rohod in Hungary by the nazis, the man found himself in Auschwitz, the main camp of the death of the Hitler regime. He became the only chef jewish.

“I don’t know why or how they were able to see a chef in me. The SS (the police nazis) watched me, a teenager of 17 years, so skinny that I had the air of a child of 9 years, and took me in the kitchen. This is what we call chance “, and evokes with emotion the one who believes that this post saved her life.

“It has given me security, because I was never chosen to go to the crematorium. If they chose to kill the cook, who would cook the next day ? “

Linked to the Dominion Corset

Liberated by the Americans on 7 may 1945, after passages in the camps of Auschwitz, Mauthausen and Guden‐II, Hermann Gruenwald returned to live a few years in Hungary, but chose to leave because of the soviet rule over the country. Arrived at Quebec, he became director of the Dominion Corset, one of the largest manufacturers of lingerie in the country. It will have been his first shot of lightning in quebec.

“I watched the building of the Dominion Corset and I found it so beautiful. For me, it was as big as the White House. I was under the charm, “said the man arrived in the country with” his wife, the shirt he had on the back and a dollar in your pocket “.

After having been director of the legendary factory for a few years, Mr. Gruenwald was the owner of the business and the building of the end of the 1970s until the 1988 sale.

“I am assured of selling the company, but not the building. I loved him too much for it, ” he says.

Moving tribute

Hermann Gruenwald was moved, last November, to put the feet to The Factory for the recognition ceremony organized by the Commission of the historic sites and monuments of Canada. “I feel like a new man back in this building. I feel like the young man I was and who had the life before him “, he started looking at the iconic red rock walls.

He also told at length how he had worked with the mayor Jean-Paul L’allier to revamp The Factory in the revitalization of the Saint-Roch district. The building then became an important pole of attraction, which now houses the offices of the City and the School of visual arts of Laval University.

“Looking at it today, I feel that I have fulfilled my duty to this house and this city, as well as to the idea that I had for them,” confided the man, bound forever to The Factory since the unveiling of this plaque by Parks Canada.