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Hymie Sckolnick, founder of iconic Mile End diner Beautys Luncheonette, died peacefully in his home on Monday — and tributes to the figurehead of the 75 year old eatery have rolled in.
A huge range of people — from one-time visitors to the city to longtime regulars who had been visiting Beautys for decades — have offered up kind words about Sckolnick, and memories of their visits to the diner.
Sckolnick, who was 96 when he died, remained present at Beautys right up to his death, gently managing the (often lengthy) line-ups, greeting regulars and tourists alike, and generally acting as a genial presence. His hospitality clearly had a lasting impact on visitors to Beautys — it’s for that reason so many heartwarming thoughts and memories are being offered up.
Sckolnick’s funeral is taking place today (November 29) at Paperman & Sons, with the shiva from today until Monday, December 4.
The eulogies aren’t just happening at the funeral, though: here’s a sampling of some of the kindest, most evocative, and most notable tributes.
Hymie was ‘magic’ sitting on his front stool - the best greeter in the business.....I had the privilege of having my photo on the wall above him....looking down on him......now he is in Heaven , looking down on us.
Such sad news about Hymie at Beautys. A real mensch who is gone at 96. Bridged the 2 solitudes he did. As evidenced here by this in @JdeMontreal https://t.co/rfcpt8kpaP
— Terry DiMonte (@TerryDiMonte) November 28, 2017
'The very heartbeat of the neighbourhood': Beauty's owner Hymie Sckolnick dead at 96https://t.co/CFPJjm0MTg pic.twitter.com/oNgOA52NV3
— Steve Rukavina, CBC (@Steverukavina) November 28, 2017
Hymie Sckolnick, another alumnus of that golden generation of Mtl entrepreneurs that gave us Beauty's, Ben's, St-Viateur Bagel, Wilensky, Schwartz's, Snowdon Deli, Cosmo, Moische's. Thank you Hymie and co for the great eats and the rise of Mtl as food mecca #Beauty's #RIPHymie https://t.co/BxG808YSR4
— Aki Tchitacov (@diak9295) November 28, 2017
"You're welcome," he said to everyone as they walked in the door of Beauty's. Hymie Sckolnick dead at 96. I'm sad. https://t.co/HwDhl3Mn3M
— Catherine Wallace (@cxwcxw) November 27, 2017
If the world had more Hymie Sckolnicks in it, we would all be vastly better off and better fed. Time to sit shiva for a true mentsch (I imagine the catering will be superb). https://t.co/tJ80hOX3tF
— David Sax (@saxdavid) November 28, 2017
Very tough news of Hymie's passing. He was such a gracious, welcoming presence, filled Beauty's with hospitality, and had the strongest handshake of all time. Mornings in Montreal will never be the same without you, Hymie. https://t.co/zuwVgrhP3t
— Tanja Yokum (@tanjayokum) November 28, 2017