Elieser Motro:  1915 - 2007
I would love to see any pictures, stories or thoughts that you would like to share on this site.  Just email them to harrymotro@gmail.com and I will post them on this page.  Thanks, Harry Motro 
 
Dear Harry, I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. He was a man of such great intelligence and integrity. He was a very good friend to my family. Mr. Motro was a big part of my life ever since I can remember. He was always willing to help out where ever needed. But I remember a time that I was able to return the favor. Several years ago, when he still lived in Jacksonville Beach, a hurricane was approaching. I helped to "evacuate" him from his condo. My son, Mr. Motro, and myself spent the night in town with my parents (Carla & Donald Smith) to ride out the storm. The storm missed us, but we had fun spending time together. Mr. Motro will be truly missed by all, but he is at peace now- back with his true love, Mrs. Motro.
Love, Sharon Smith Hammonds
My condolences regarding the passing away of your dear father. I certainly enjoyed meeting him when visiting your mother at their beach condo. I had met your mother through Carla  Smith. I became part of the Dutch group of ladies in 1985. Thank you for sharing the interesting memories of their life and also for the pictures. I will always think of your mother fondly, especially around this time with the approaching of her birthday. Your parents were  special people with lots of wisdom, but most of all with a very big heart.
God bless, Sophia Shields, Orange Park, Florida
This is Anja Ploeg. My mom Beatrix Ploeg sent this to me and it brought back so many memories.  I too was an immigrant from Holland and  grew up calling Elly and Lazar, Tanta Elly and Ome Lazar.  I remember spending many days at the house in San Souci hanging out with Harry and Joe, and riding bikes to the community swimming pool.  We use to do art projects in the small kitchen.  Mom and Tanta Elly were good friends and my brother Mike and I spent a lot of time with the Motro family.  I was diagnosed with Cancer last year and I know the importance of writing your thoughts down so that there will be memories to share with the family. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say hello. Anja Ploeg.
Dear Harry,

My sister Aviva forwarded to me about your father passing away. I was truly sorry to hear about your loss. I remember your mother vividly as the young " Dutch" bride that your father married. I remember you Dad with fond memories having met him while we were in Israel in '48 We were the " American Kids". Please extend my condolences to your brother . We are a shrinking family. It is a comfort to know that there are some of us still around.

Ann Dubitzky Cope
From: Gideon Timor

Dear Harry.
You sure created a masterpiece co-memorizing your father and mother.
I read it with great interest and sent it to my 3 sons Ran, Dan, and Tal.
The stories add things which I did not know about your dad and the
family in Israel.  A few things from my recollection such as: It will be
added to the written story in my family tree too.

Eleazar is shown in the wedding photo which I have standing behind my
father and mother, the photo was taken on my parent's wedding that
took place on March 15, 1933 in our grand parents home in tel aviv.
I remember him as a good looking man and he seemed to be always in a good mood.
He was working with my father in his shop that was in the commercial
zone between Tell Aviv and Jaffa.
During 2nd w.w. the business was bad since the shop was a wholesale
shop of goods and toys mainly from Germany and Japan that became enemy's
countries during the war. Shortly after my father's death in spring
1945, the shop was closed and Eleazar started to work as a contractor,
that later was not the right thing for him.
I remember meeting your mom in our gad parents home probably around
the time that hey got married, and I was about 8 years of age.
keep well
Gideon
 
From: Helen Schary Motro 

       Lazar was such a fine, gentle human being. Really sui generis. He spontaneously thought of the other person, and without effort or artifice made that other person feel good. I noticed this quality he displayed always -  towards people in the elevator, towards waiters, towards all. And without saying, towards his family.       Lazar's house was full of chocolates and candies- like the irresistible Peppermint Patties - which he pressed upon all visitors and especially children - and these sweets symbolized the sweetness of the man.
        I will try in a separate e-mail to scan some photos of Lazar with my daughters over the course of the years, which show that although he was mostly a Grandpa from afar geographically, he was close to them in spirit.
While looking through the old albums I came across a picture of Elly and myself about to play tennis together. It was my privilege to know both of them and to be part of their family.
Helen
Above: Elieser, Iris (daughter of Michael & Helen Motro), Ola Schary (Helen's Mom), 1991
Above: Elieser with Lisa (daughter of Michael & Helen Motro) with Cabbage Patch dolls, 1985
Above: Elieser, Shari (daughter of Michael & Helen Motro), 1973
 
 
Picture above sent by Donna Bilu Martin, who said "I remember them both as very kind, happy people who were always smiling. Attached please find a photo of lazar and family from our wedding. love, donna (yosi and tova bilu's daughter and dvora and jona's grandaughter) and my husband, sam"