Obituaries
JOSEPH BRENT DINER December 9, 1942 – February 27, 2024
Joe passed away on February 27, 2024 in Victoria, BC. He had been at his home on Salt Spring Island when he suffered a heart attack on February 18.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, Clara and Lou Diner; his brother Alex; and his nephew Tristan (T.C.). He is survived by his loving wife Sandi of 44 years; his brother Richard (Mary); his nephews, Colin and Louis; and his cousins and many friends.
Joe grew up on Matheson Avenue in the north end of Winnipeg where he attended Luxton School. When he was 12 years old, he moved to Waterloo Street in River Heights and attended Kelvin High School followed by the University of Manitoba, and later the University of North Dakota and Louisiana State University where he studied political science.
Early in his career, he worked as a teacher in an indigenous community in northern Manitoba, and later he became involved in horse racing. He was the Racing Secretary at a major race track in New Orleans and also at Assiniboia Downs. For the last 40 years, his career was in commercial real estate. Joe retired in 2018, as had Sandi years earlier, and he enjoyed their time in Salt Spring Island. They always had a dog asn part of their lives. Every day, they took long walks with their dog and sometimes even a run. Their dog Ella will surely miss Joe. Salt Spring Island was Joe’s happy place. He spent several months each year there for more than 20 years. He called it Disneyland for adults.
Joe had a sterling reputation. He was a man of principle, integrity, honesty and strong moral character, and those qualities governed how he lived his life and how he conducted his business. Joe could make friends with anyone and everyone. He was personable, generous, kind, outgoing, and engaging. He genuinely liked people, and people liked him. In fact, they didn’t just like him, they loved him. Joe was great company. He was an optimist who always maintained a positive outlook on life and saw the good side of people. He was also self deprecating and humble and could be charmingly irreverent. Joe was always his own person.
We, Joe’s family and friends , are much richer for having had him in our lives. His passing leaves a gaping hole in our hearts, and our lives will never be the same without him.
Joe‘s favorite poem was Ulysses by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Come, my friends. ‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world. Push off, and sitting well in order smite the sounding furrows; for my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths Of all the western stars, until I die. It may be that the gulfs will wash us down; It may be that we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles, whom we knew. Though much is taken, much abides; and though We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are – One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Services were held at the Chesed Shel Emes and Rosh Pina Memorial Park in Winnipeg. Rabbi Kliel Rose officiated.
Pallbearers were Archie Kraut, Uri Kraut, David Kraut, Colin Diner, Louis Diner and Jack Rusen. Honorary pallbearers were David Rusen, Gary Brenner, Richard Diner and Leonard Steingarten.
If so desired, donations in Joe’s memory could be made to Temple Shalom or the Humane Society or a charity of choice.
“To live in hearts left behind is not to die”.
Joe will live in our hearts forever.
May his memory be a blessing.
Obituaries
MILTON FREEDMAN
It is with profound sadness and much love that I announce the passing of Milton Freedman on October 30th, 2025, three months after we celebrated his 100th birthday. Milton was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Peter, his older brother Sam, and his younger brother Sid, with whom he shared a very special relationship. He is survived by his wife Joanie, his sister Ruby Donner, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a great-great nephew.
Family and friends meant everything to Milton, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. He was gentle and kind, quiet and dignified, thoughtful and wise. He gave the best advice, but only if asked.
Milton and I liked to travel, and for many years spent the winter in Palm Springs. We also travelled to Europe and England, and felt most at home in London. We reminisced endlessly about the river cruises we went on, and the amazing places we had the opportunity to visit, whether it was having dinner at a restaurant overlooking the North Sea, or attending a private concert at a palace in Vienna, or tasting Black Forest cake especially prepared for us, while we were in Germany’s Black Forest region. It all was stunning, magical, delicious. But it was the people we met along the way, who made everything even more special, and we never forgot them.
Milton was an avid reader, inhaling newspapers, magazines, and books as if they were oxygen. Remarkably, he remembered much of what he read, and it wasn’t unusual for him to quote a passage from a book that he had read years earlier, if it was relevant to a conversation. It was not to show off…that wasn’t who he was.
Milton was a runner, and for years ran ten miles, three times a week. On the days he didn’t run, he walked outdoors for two and a half hours. Eventually, he gave up running, preferring to walk seven days a week no matter the season, no matter the weather. This continued until he was well into his 80’s. And even in his 90’s Milton remained determined to walk, at first using one cane, then two, then a walker. When he was asked, how he did it, Milton simply said, “Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.” On occasion he might add, “And eventually you’ll get to where you’re going.”
Sage advice.
Milton is deeply missed, and will forever be remembered.
Obituaries
MARLI REBECCA SILVERMAN
Marli Rebecca Silverman passed away on March 11th at the age of 43 from end-stage renal disease. She lived her life with meaning, courage, and resilience, and touched everyone who knew her with her strength, warmth, and spirit.
She leaves behind her beloved daughter, Rylee, who was the light of her life; her father, Bruce; her brother, Matthew; Rylee’s father, Drake; and many family members and dear friends who will carry her memory forward with love.
Marli will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the impact she made on those around her.
May her memory be a blessing.
Donations in Marli’s memory may be made to Breakthrough T1D (breakthrought1d.ca).
Obituaries
EDWARD (BARNEY) SEGAL
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Edward “Barney” Segal on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the age of 70.
Barney will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his sister, Elaine (Paul) Olin; his nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephew: Jason Olin, Carrie Shenkarow, Jessica and Shirley Ransby; Brenlee, David, Hayley, and Leah Selchen; and Daniel, Jordi, Poppy, and Skylar Olin; Shannon Chisick-Harman, Charlie Harman; and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his beloved parents, Sam Segal (1998) and Louise Segal (2006), and by his sister, Dolly Chisick (December 2025).
Barney was born on April 27, 1955, in Winnipeg, where he lived his entire life. He spent his formative years on Lansdowne Avenue, a place that remained close to his heart and was filled with many fond memories throughout his life. Barney was the youngest of four children, and from an early age, he was a spirited and energetic presence, full of personality and spark.
Barney carried that same determination and energy into his adult life. With an unwavering work ethic, he pursued a career in education while working full-time, earning his degree from the University of Manitoba. He went on to dedicate many years to teaching and supporting schools throughout Winnipeg. Barney took great pride in helping students grow, always striving to make a lasting impression on the young people whose lives he touched.
He was fiercely loyal to his family, his friends, and the communities he served. Barney found joy in life’s simple and meaningful moments: cheering on the Chicago Bears, sharing vivid stories about his parents and days gone by, riding his motorcycle, and heading out on long road trips in his beloved Jeep, “Sparky,” always in search of the next good story.
Barney will be remembered for his strong spirit, his storytelling, his sense of humor, and the genuine care he showed to those around him. His presence filled a room, and his absence leaves a space that cannot be replaced. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Funeral services were held on Friday, March 6, at Chesed Shel Emes, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were Daniel Olin, Jason Olin, Laurie Gorenstein, Jeff Brown, Gavin Rich, and Mark Lomow. Honorary pallbearers were Brenlee Selchen, David Selchen, Shannon Chisick-Harman, Charlie Harman, Jordi Olin, Carrie Shenkarow, Rick Lousier, Ben Szymkow, Ron Nelson, Leroy Fox, Robert Marvin, and Gerry Dudley.
In memory of Barney, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.