"for all the riches of my life
that lie in my vast abyss
the one that marks me most of all
was their embrace and kiss."

Barry Snaper is participating in the Endowment Book of Life in order to honour and remember his parents, Etia and Mark Snaper, who managed, against tremendous odds, to rebuild their lives in Winnipeg from the ashes of the Holocaust.

Barry Snaper was born by the Black Sea in Russia on April 18, 1944. His parents, Mark and Etia, were both born, raised and married in Poland, and survived the war in Russia. After the war they made their way to Germany and lived in a lager until they were sponsored to Canada in 1950 by their cousin, Harry Silverberg. Etia's sister and brother, Shirley and Harry Tabachnik (Toole), were sponsored at the same time, while another sister immigrated to Israel. Mark was the only one of his family to survive the war.

The Snapers lived in the Silverberg home on Main and Machray for their first six months in Winnipeg. When the YMHA opened on Hargrave, on land donated by Harry Silverberg, Barry's parents and aunt and uncle assumed the management of its restaurant. Mark and Etia were both very hard working, and often held down two jobs at once. While working at the Y, Mark also rented the concession at the North Main Drive Inn. Unfortunately, this venture was ill-timed as television was gaining popularity and cut into the already short Winnipeg drive-in season. Mark tried to turn the business around by making it a venue for wrestling matches and other forms of entertainment. Barry often helped his dad out and was allowed to keep the money from the popcorn sales. Mark left the restaurant and concession businesses behind in 1970 and spent the next 14 years as a property manager for Silpit Industries.

Barry's sister, Sharon, was born in Winnipeg in 1950, and the family eventually settled into a home on Breden Drive in East Kildonan. Their aunt and uncle lived with them, and they had many Jewish neighbours. Barry attended the area schools, Prince Edward Junior High and Miles Mac High, and enjoyed a good childhood which, he claims, still hasn't ended. Many of his best memories involve cars, dates, friends and music - too numerous to relate. After high school Barry attended United College and then law school at the University of Manitoba, graduating in 1967.

Barry moved to Toronto to article and then opened a practice there. Shortly afterwards he borrowed $7,500 from his father and started a property business, buying apartments and condominiums. He also purchased three women's clothing stores. In 1976 Barry bought his parents a condo in Florida and a Cadillac. His father would only the drive the car in Florida, thinking it too flashy for Winnipeg.

In addition to his business ventures, Barry enjoys writing poetry and painting. He discovered he could paint when he sat down one day and copied an Aboriginal style painting that he had been given as a gift. He now donates his paintings to hospitals and other worthy causes.

Barry was married for a short time to Rhonda Bobkin and has two sons, Ben and Mark. While his parents were alive he visited Winnipeg often. His last time here was in 2003 when his mother passed away.

Barry's sister Sharon married Leon Oberlander in 1969 and moved to Chicago. They have two children, Jonathan and Marissa. Sharon is currently Vice President of Merill Lynch, where she has been employed for over 20 years. She is ranked the 13th most successful female stockbroker in the US and within the top 100 salespersons in the country. She has strong ties to Winnipeg.

Barry too maintains a profound connection to Winnipeg. The Jewish community here gave his parents a livelihood, a home, and a sense of belonging. By making a commitment to the Endowment Book of Life Barry is repaying the community for that gift.