I first met Alain Ohana more than 20 years ago. He was a young dentist with a dynamic personality. At the time, a number of friends and I were involved in an organization called the Association of Young Jewish Adults. It was originally called the Jewish Adult Programming Society, but many people soured on the acronym JAPS so we made a change. This was a social group, with parties usually once a month. Our motto was: bring a boyfriend, bring a girlfriend; find a boyfriend, find a girlfiend.
While I did not meet my wife via AJAY/JAPS, I made many good friends through this group. Alain Ohana was one of them and he became part of my social circle for many years. This was an interesting time in my life. I had just moved out on my own, was single for a lot of these years, and happily enjoyed a growing circle of friends. We went to dinner and movies together, organized events and just had a lot of fun.
Alain, whom we called “Doc,” was the kind of guy you could not help but like. 
His laugh was infectious. He was always up on current events, so there was never dead air when he was around. As a dentist, he had a practice in Lachine where most of his clients were on social assistance. Alain told me often how good he felt that he was making sure these individuals and their families were enjoying healthy smiles.
" The private practice where Dr. Alain Ohana worked is a well established clinic that saw everyone, no one was ever refused, " a colleague of his told me. "He showed a lot of devotion to his patients. Dr.Ohana double booked his days to accommodate everyone; rarely a break was ever taken. His knowledge in surgery, endodontics, and dentures to try and accommodate his patients were always his main concern. He also gave so much back to the community with his volunteer work.
As we all got married and had families, I did not see Alain that often. But whenever I did, he ALWAYS had kind words to say. He would allude to a particular column I wrote or chat about the Montreal Canadiens.
Alain married interior designer Sandy Mamane (pictured with him above). The couple had three young children and settled in Hampstead. A few years ago at Christmas I saw Alain by the pool at a family condo building I was staying at in Florida. His mom was a co-owner there. For about four years in a row, we would see each other at Christmas. I watched how his family grew and a new baby was born two years ago. His two older children were full of personality, just like their dad. Alain I would sit in or by the pool for hours, talking about old times.
This past Christmas we did not go to Florida. Neither, I later learned, did Alain. Just a few weeks ago a friend told me that he was not well. Then on August 3, I came home from holiday and got a message from our mutual friend Paul Melnick that Alain had died, a victim of bone cancer.
As the story goes, soon after I last saw Alain in Florida he returned home and began to experience pain in one of his legs. When it did not go away he went to his doctor. Tests were done and bone cancer was detected. The pain became so bad that he could not even walk.
Alain would lose his battle with cancer, only weeks before his 49th birthday. I attended his funeral and it was standing room only. When his son Jordan came to the podium and eulogized his father in French and English, there was not a dry eye in the room. Alain’s best friend Serge Rimok spoke about their incredible 32 year old friendship, the amazing trips they went on, Alain’s extraordinary sense of direction and his ability to pull out a full course meal from his ski jacket as the lift was bringing them to the top of the hill.
I looked around the room and saw so many faces of our mutual friends from the good old days.
Life is not fair! Alain had so many years left. He had already lost his own father at the age of four.
Alain will not be able to see his three beautiful children grow up. All one can say is that he left a legacy of generosity, good humour and intelligence (he spoke seven languages). His children will indeed carry on the Ohana tradition.
Rest in peace Alain. You will be terribly missed!
I did not know him, but you wrote a beautiful eulogy. I hope it brings some comfort to the family.
Thank you for sharing this mike. Beautifully written and I will certainly keep memories alive of our yachdav mission to Israel where alain was a valuable member of the group.
Just found out about Alain’s passing 1 hour prior to his funeral – I read the email 4 times as the first 3 times, I was in a state of shock! Still in disbelief, I emailed Sandie for confirmation!
Oh my goodness, Alain was and still remains in our heart, the epitomy of kindness, of good humour and of friendship! As you know, i grew up in the same single circle as you and Alain was always there smiling and ready for a good time! he will definitely be missed!
Let me wish his family my sincere condoleances!
Hi Mike, I also knew Alain many years, dating back to Northmount High School – we were the same age but he was a year ahead. Always the nicest and smartest one of the bunch – all of us from similar (Moroccan Jewish immmigrant background) – throughout the years, as with you, he always seemed genuinely pleased to see me, he would stop to catch-up. Thanks for putting these thoughtful words together.
Simon (Bensimon)
Hi
I was deeply saddened to hear of Dr Ohana’s passing. He was my dentist for over 20 years. An all around nice guy and dentist. Always a smile and a genuine how are you.
R.I.P. Dr Ohana, you will surely be missed!!
Cathy
I am so sad about Alain’s passing. He was a really good person and always so happy! I think about him and the old days. I can’t believe I will never see him again. I wish the best for his family.
I work for a periodontist in Lachine where Dr Ohana used to referr his patients. I had never met him but when learning of his passing was touched. Our thoughts go out to his family.
i just find out today about dr ohana he was my doc a wonderful man who was loved so much for 20 years he took care of my smile . i write this with tears running down my face when i frist herd he was sick i made him a bouqia of flowers and a get well card and in it i told him thank for being who you are never change come back soon. it is so sad my heart is broken he was so young .dr ohana well be forever in my heart we love you love your patient since iam 13 years old ill never find a dentised as wonderful as you rip dr ohana love nathalie vanasse and family
Yes Nathalie
It is still very difficult to accept.
I think that he really would have had been a good dentist. This was a very good blog on this mans life. I was really impressed with this blog and the things that he did.
Je viens d’apprendre le décès du Dr Ohana aujourd’hui par une ancienne amie de Lachine et je dois admettre que cela m’attriste énormément. Il a été notre dentiste de famille durant une quinzaine d’années. Son approche amicale, sa simplicité et son sourire attachent sont les premières choses qui me sont venus a l’esprit.
Il y a des choses dans la vie qui sont parfois difficiles a comprendre et a accepter et cela en est une…
Avec encore beaucoup de tristesse nous offrons en mon nom, celui de mon ex-épouse et ma fille, nos plus sincères sympathies a l’épouse et aux enfants du Dr Ohana.
Pierre, Miriam et Paloma.
Mike, I met Alain back in CEGEP,around 1979 or 80.Went to a few JAPS parties together so we may have met as well.He was a super nice guy who would make you feel comfortable.He had a great laugh and smile.We lost contact after I moved to Toronto in 1990 and I regret not keeping in touch. I saw him briefly in the late 90s at a mutual friend’s wedding in Toronto. It looked liked he had not aged through the years, and he still had that great smile and laugh.When I heard he was ill I tried to contact him but it was too late. I still have trouble believing that he is gone.Reading your eulogy, I am glad he found someone to share his life with, and was blessed with having children.It was rather cruel irony that his kids would lose their father when he himself lost his dad when he was young child.Made me realize,not to take your friends,or your parents, for granted as what ever time you have with them is precious.
When founder Bill Bowerman, the concept of the waffle waffle introduction of Nike running shoes, led to a successful transformation, but also makes the Nike sports shoes war for the first time successfully. To commemorate this historic time, Nike sportswear will be launched this Christmas a man and a woman two “waffle” windrunners male models color is brown, female models, color is white, in the clothes chest, use of silica produced a simulated butter touch an excellent addition the package will also be equipped with a very special waffle box.
With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement? My site has a lot of unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any techniques to help protect against content from being stolen? I’d definitely appreciate it.
Can I just say what a relief tto discover someone whho really understands what they are talking about on the net. You definiteely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people really need to check this out and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you’re not more popular given that you surely have the gift.
Greetings I am so excited I found your webpage, I really found you by accident, while I was researching on Digg for something else, Anyways I amm here now and would just like to say thanks a lot ffor a marvelpus post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the awesome job.
It’s a pity you don’t hav a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this brilliant blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feedd to my Golgle account. I look forward to new updatees aand will share this site wkth my Facebook group. Chat soon!
What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & assist other customers like its helped me. Good job.
I am actually thankful to the owner of this web site who has shared this impressive paragraph at at this place.
Have you ever thought about adding a little biit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. But imagine if you added some great images orr videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your contdnt is excellent but witgh images and clips, this blog could certainly be one of thhe very best in its field. Wonderful blog!
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.
I have read so many content about the blogger lovers however this paragraph is genuinely a good article, keep it up.
My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different website and thought I might check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to looking at your web page again.
Valuable information. Lucky me I found your website unintentionally, and I am stunned why this accident didn’t happened in advance! I bookmarked it. http://www.daedongc.com/m0660_b01/54754
If you wish for to grow your know-how only keep visiting this web page and be updated with the latest news posted here.
It’s very trouble-free to find out any matter on web as compared to books, as I found this post at this web page.
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my web site so i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
I think this is among the most important info for me. And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on few general things, The site style is wonderful, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
Normally I don’t learn post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thank you, very nice post.
Hi, I would like to subscribe for this web site to take newest updates, thus where can i do it please help out.
Hi there this is kind of of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!
Asking questions are really good thing if you are not understanding something fully, but this paragraph gives good understanding yet.
What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It positively useful and iit has aided me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & aid different users like its aided me. Great job.
I really like what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work and reporting! Keep up the awesome works guys I’ve added you guys to my personal blogroll.
Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you may be a great author. I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back sometime soon. I want to encourage you to continue your great posts, have a nice evening!
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Hi! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any methods to protect against hackers?
At this time I am ready to do my breakfast, later than having my breakfast coming over again to read more news. http://203.255.3.50:80/wiki/사용자:MagnoliaBristol
You need to take part in a contest for one of the greatest blogs on the net. I’m going to recommend this website!
Wow! Finally I got a website from where I know how to truly take valuable data concerning my study and knowledge.
Hello every one, here every person is sharing these kinds of know-how, so it’s good to read this website, and I used to go to see this blog all the time.
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my site thus i came to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
Great blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your design. Thanks a lot
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it grow over time. http://cafeproducts.com/directory/index.php?a=rate&u=christencurlewi
I’ve been surfing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.
I am genuinely thankful to the holder of this web page who has shared this great post at here.
Hey very nice blog!
Thwnk you a lot for sharing this with all of uus you actually recognise what you are speakking about! Bookmarked. Kindly additionally talk over with my websie =). We could have a link alternate arrangement among us
Fantastic post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Many thanks!
Hurrah! In the end I got a blog from where I be capable of actually get useful information concsrning my study and knowledge.
What’s up every one, here every person is sharing such know-how, so it’s nice to read this weblog, and I used to pay a visit this weblog all the time.
First off I would like to say excellent blog! I hadd a quick question that I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your mind prior to writing. I have had a hard time clearing my thoughts in getting myy ideas out. I do take pleasure in wriring however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to bbe wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or hints? Cheers!
I used to be able to find good info from your blog articles.
Remarkable! Its truly remarkable post, I have got much clear idea on the topic of from this article.
Generally I don’t learn article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to check out and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very great post.
I think that what you posted made a great deal of sense. But, what about this? suppose you were to create a awesome headline? I ain’t suggesting your information is not good., but what if you added a headline that makes people desire more? I mean MikeCohen.ca: The tragic passing of Alain Ohana is a little vanilla. You might peek at Yahoo’s front page and note how they write post titles to grab viewers interested. You might add a video or a picture or two to get readers excited about what you’ve written. In my opinion, it would make your blog a little livelier.
A person essentially help to make significantly articles I’d state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the analysis you made to make this actual submit extraordinary. Fantastic process!
My brother recommended I might like this website. He was once entirely right. This submit actually made my day. You cann’t consider just how so much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
I want to to thank you for this excellent read!! I certainly enjoyed every bit of it. I’ve got you book marked to check out new stuff you post… http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/0/11234/z11234160Q,Posel-Mariusz-Antoni-Kaminski.jpg
I have been surfing on-line more than three hours lately, but I by no means discovered any fascinating article like yours. It is beautiful value sufficient for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made just right content material as you probably did, the net will probably be a lot more useful than ever before.
all the timme i used to read smaller articles that as well cloear their motive, and that is also happening with this paragraph which I am reading at this time.
Why users still use to read news papers when in this technological world everything is available on net?
A Greek chorus of historical figures, including Leonardo da Vinci and 19th-century politician Giuseppe Garibaldi, add rueful comment on the characters and their troubles while arguing about Italy’s distressing current state of affairs. Actually, the cinema home systems subject is invaded by different terms which describe the same thing. In some cases, surround sound is not possible in low frequency; however, it is not the case with Panasonic SC-PT480EB-K.
I needed to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I’ve got you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
a week and also transform your physique very quickly. Just make sure that whatever routine you decide on that you do it on a regular basis so you can achieve the best results. A great way to always maintain the proper form is to leave your feet firmly planted on the ground, and always grip the bar no more than shoulder width apart.
Hi my loved one! I want to say that this aticle is awesome, nice written and include almost all important infos. I’d like to look more posts like this .
Mr. Ohana was really a great human whit good heart, he was my dentist, he gave a tool that he used (the pic).i heard that he had 48. He’s direct to paradise whit god for sure. RIP DOC xx
HAPPY TO HAVE MY LOVER BACK…..