Blackie Simkin was born circa 1917 in Pine Ridge, Manitoba, the sixth child of Samuel and Fanny Simkin, who, as a young couple, arrived in Manitoba from Russia. Blackie lived and worked on the farm until the family moved into the city in 1928. Farming in Pine Ridge had become increasingly difficult and a large fire on the farm made matters worse. When the family moved to Winnipeg, Blackie worked with his father in the fuel business.

Although his actual name was Israel, he was called Blackie from an early age because he had exceptionally black hair, but more likely because he was always covered in coal from working in the coal yards.

Jean Ackerman was born in 1917 in Winnipeg. Her mother, Chava, arrived in Canada from Belarus as a young woman. Chava taught herself how to read English from studying grocery labels and was very interested in politics. Jean had two step-brothers, Jack and Lou Racklin. Although Jean's family was poverty-stricken through her growing years, she managed to complete high school at St. John's Tech, and always held education in high esteem. Chava lived into her late 80s, living with Jean and Blackie for most of her life.

Jean and Blackie met when they were still in their teens and were married in Blackie's family's backyard on Stella Avenue. Blackie owned and operated his own fuel company until he left for Europe where he engaged in battlefield action in World War II.

When he returned three years later, he joined his brothers Saul, Jim, and Abe, founding Simkin Construction. The four brothers worked well together, and Simkin Construction grew into BACM Industries and then ultimately merged with Genstar. Blackie valued the loyal support of his long-time assistant, Dawn Tomlinson, from 1966 until he died in 1998. Blackie was self-taught and well-respected for his work. He was known as a fair employer who would go out of his way to give people chances in life who might not otherwise be able to get jobs.

Jean and Blackie lived with the Simkins on Stella Avenue when they were first married. While Blackie was in the army, Jean worked as a legal secretary. When Blackie returned from overseas, he was able to buy a home for his family at 405 Boyd Avenue. Their two daughters, Ruth and Judi, were born on Stella, and their first son, Jack, was born at the new home on Boyd.

In the early 1950s, Blackie and his brother Abe acquired a historical property, Seven Oaks Place, and developed seven homes on this property in which Blackie, Abe, Jim, sister Clara, and Blackie's best friend Label Snukal, all eventually lived. Blackie excelled at being self-taught and he desperately wanted to build a large house for his family. He took a drafting course and then designed the house at 5 Seven Oaks Place. Abe's construction company built a few of the Simkin houses, including Jean and Blackie's, which became a hub of family activity. There were always lots of people around, with plenty of food on the table at any time of the day. It was here that their fourth child, Sam, was born.

In 1969, after almost two decades of very happy memories living on Seven Oaks Place, Jean and Blackie moved to a Wellington Crescent high-rise where four of Blackie's siblings and families also lived. Blackie, lovingly supported by Jean, fine-tuned his famous Sunday brunches into an art form — rivalled by many, but exceeded by none. Sunday mornings were "Blackie brunch times" and he loved shopping, preparing, cooking, and even cleaning up, but he especially loved making his guests feel comfortable and at home. His hospitality was epic.

While Blackie was hosting brunches, Jean was thriving in the arts. She loved theatre, music, and dance and attended many concerts, often with her children. More than anything, she loved learning and was always taking classes at university, or sitting in on her children's classes. She played mah jong for many years with the same beloved group of friends. Jean particularly had a close relationship with her sister-in-law, Fan. The two women lived next door, shared a car, and shared their lives.

Of all of Blackie's wonderful qualities, he was perhaps best known for his "Blackie-isms," a form of malapropism that would make Mrs. Malaprop very proud indeed. His most famous Blackie-ism occurred while still a teenager, selling wood for his father's fuel company. One day, his brother Saul asked him to collect the money from their customers. Blackie, who normally did physical work, was reluctant but knocked on the door of a customer to ask for payment. The woman was unable to pay and the two of them got into an argument, and the woman yelled at Blackie: "What do you think? Money grows on trees?" Blackie responded: "And what do you think? Wood grows on trees?" And thus the birth of the "Blackie-ism."

Over time there were hundreds more, including:

• Calling his son, Jack, at work: "Tell him his father called. He'll know who it is."

• "In the past and even through history..."

• "They didn't have my size in anything smaller."

• "A verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on."

• After a dinner: "The trouble is you're next to whoever you're sitting beside."

Blackie longed to retire with Jean. Shortly after BACM merged with Genstar, he was the first of the brothers to move to Palm Springs, where he was happy to put on a barbecue or brunch at the drop of a hat.

Blackie and Jean are remembered for their generosity and understanding of tzedaka. They supported many Jewish organizations, but also supported many individuals, anonymously helping them through school, or helping them get a home. It is a very fitting tribute that the home Blackie had designed and built on Seven Oaks Place has now become a Shalom Residences group home for adults who have intellectual disabilities.

Blackie and Jean had many happy years in Palm Springs. While they bought the first house there, the Simkin brothers brought the family together again by developing condos at Cathedral Canyon Country Club where five of the six siblings lived.

In the early 1980s, Jean developed breast cancer. She did well for five years post-chemotherapy until she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The family was devastated, and in 1986, she died. Blackie returned to Palm Springs, supported by his family, and two years later, married Myna Schwartz. They had 10 very happy years together until Blackie was diagnosed with lung cancer and died in a hospice in San Diego, surrounded by Myna, his children, and his grandchildren.

Blackie and Jean were truly an exceptional couple — generous, loving, and good friends to each other and to those around them. All those who crossed their lives were very privileged and fortunate indeed.

Written by: Dr. Ruth Simkin

2012