John Dragushan

Birth: September 1, 1907 in Lipton, Saskatchewan

Death: October 18, 1999 in Victoria, B.C.

Gravesite Details: South Zone – Plot 13

Inscription:
Image of Star of David upper right and left corners
פּ״נ (Here lies)
Dragushan
John
His name in Hebrew: Yisrael Yosef b. Shloma
1907 — 1999
The Crown of a Good Name
Is Above All
ת נ צ ב ה
abbreviation for Biblical quote: “May his soul be bound up in the bond of eternal life.”

Biography:
Written by Jean Dragushan; February, 2022
John was born in Saskatchewan on September 1, 1907, in the small Jewish farming settlement of Lipton.  Although his family were homesteaders and attempted to farm the land, they were not successful.  They relocated to Aberdeen, Saskatchewan where they were able to open a general store.  John was involved in the family business for over twenty years until moving to Weyburn, where he operated a clothing store with his brother Leon.

then travelled west in search of a business to buy.  He purchased a furniture store for sale in Red Deer, Alberta, which was the catalyst for their move to that community in 1953.  

John was well known and respected in Red Deer, and was sought after by his colleagues for leadership roles in the community.  He was recognized as an accomplished public speaker, and was acknowledged for his quick wit and sense of humour.  

In Red Deer, John was President of the Rotary Club, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Downtown Business Association, and a member of the public school board.  He was known throughout the area as an honest and fair businessman by his loyal customers.

John and Sadie raised their children Jean and Ronald in Red Deer, and remained there 1975, when they retired to Vancouver.  They moved to Victoria to be closer to Jean, her husband Graham and grandchildren Aaron and Ellen in 1995. 

Parents:
Anna Gitterman Dragushan (1872-1956)
Salomon Dragushan (1868-1925)

Siblings:
Leon
Lucy
Tammy

Spouse:
Sadie Berezovsky Dragushan (1911-2001)

Children:
Jean Dragushan
Ron Dragushan