Tzvi Shalit
Tzvi ShalitFlash 90

Gilad Shalit's grandfather, Tzvi Shalit, 92, died yesterday. The grandfather, who was one of the outstanding symbols of the struggle to free his grandson, lost his son, Yoel, the twin brother of Noam Shalit, Gilad's father, in the Yom Kippur War.

Tzvi will be laid to rest today at the Carmel beach cemetery, next to his wife, Yael, who died two and a half years ago. He leaves behind a son and three grandchildren, Gilad, Yoel and Hadas.

Shalit served as a deputy in Israel Police, and during the World War II served in the British Navy. After retiring from Israel Police, he was a researcher at Israel Shipyards.

Yediot Aharonot quotes his son, Noam, who tells of his late father: "My father was completely healthy but recently suffered from dementia and suffered a stroke, from which he never regained consciousness. He had a difficult life but knew how to overcome everything. Mourning accompanied him to the end of his days. Mother was the weak link and my father was the strong one who took care of her devotedly for the rest of her life. I will remember him as a man who was active his whole life, a man who didn’t give in to the difficult reality.”