by Cape Breton has lost one of its most highly respected residents and businessmen. Jack Yazer died in Sydney on Wednesday. Yazer came to Cape Breton from Poland in the 1920’s carrying 25 cents and speaking almost no English. He and his brother, Mendle, pursued a number of entrepreneurial ventures before going on to open Yazer Brothers Mens’ Clothing Store on Charlotte Street, an iconic downtown staple that Jack Yazer managed until he sold the store in 1976. Yazer was also known for his role in numerous community initiatives, having been the founding chairman of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation, the former President of the Childrens’ Aid Society of Cape Breton and the founder of Youth Speaks Up—a program designed to help disadvantaged youth. He and his wife, Zelda, raised four children. Zelda died in 2010, and her son, Brendan, died in 2013. Yazer is survived by his son, Harold, and his daughters, Celia and Karin. He was 102.
Dave Desveaux
Dave Desveaux, a native of New Waterford leverages his experience and passion for research in The Coast 89.7 Newsroom where as the Weekday Newscaster. His foray into radio began with a research position at The Coast, which led to the production of a radio documentary on the music of the Mi’kmaq people. The program, entitled “First Nations, First Music” was co-produced with fellow Coast personality Ron Neville and released in early 2011. A graduate of Breton Education Centre, Dave went on to get a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Sociology from Cape Breton University, as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Sociology from Dalhousie University. He has worked as a teaching assistant at Dalhousie, and in various short-term customer service and research positions.
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