Obituaries
SERKY GOLDBERG
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Serky Goldberg on the 14th of Tammuz, 5784 (July 20, 2024) at the age of 86. Her funeral was held at the Chesed Shel Emes and she was interred at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on July 22, 2024.
Sora Pearl Mozersky was born in Winnipeg and her first few months were spent in the home of her grandparents, David and Faigie Soudack on Cathedral Avenue before moving into the Mozersky home on Rupertsland. She grew up in the North End, attending the Folk Shul, Luxton, Seven Oaks, and Peretz School during her elementary school years, and then St John’s High School. She graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1958 and was certified as a teacher at Teachers College in 1959.
Serky’s family was cental to her life. She was in almost daily contact with those of us who lived locally, and those more distant were only a visit, phone call, FaceTime or birthday card away. She loved when members of the family came to the cottage in the summer or when she and Benny traveled to Toronto, Ottawa, California, Boston, New York or Israel for simchas, birthdays, or just a visit. Over the years she maintained strong ties with siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives all over North America and in Israel.
Serky had many dear friends and always had an active social life. She was treasurer of her Bridge group for over 60 years, participated with Benny in the “The Volleyball Group,” and stayed in touch with her Habonim Workshop cohort throughout her life. Later, she made new friends during winters in Palm Springs and on the various globetrotting cruises on which she and Benny embarked after his retirement.
A product of socialist Bundist Jews, Serky became a proud Zionist in her teens. Her love for Israel was strengthened after spending a year at Kibbutz Kfar Blum in 1954 on Habonim Workshop. Subsequently, she and Benny made numerous visits to Israel, including leading a mission on behalf of the Winnipeg Jewish community to Gan Yavne as part of Project Renewal.
Serky dedicated much of her volunteer time to the Combined Jewish Appeal, serving as Chair of the Women’s Division, Chair of the Annual Campaign, and contributed to many committees at a national level. Over the years, she led many local committees and subcommittees that helped assure the vibrancy and continuity of Winnipeg’s Jewish community. The Jewish Federation honoured her with the Max Nathanson Young Leadership Award in 1977 and the Max and Mollie Shore Memorial Award in 2018. She was also a member of Pioneer Women, Hadassah and volunteered as a canvasser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Serky applied skills she learned at Teachers College to teach English as a Second Language to new Canadians throughout the 1990’s, and to inform her service as the Chair of the Board of Jewish Education.
Serky was often found reading a book, magazine or newspaper, knitting, listening to CBC, baking, telling a story or dispensing advice. She was elegant and understated. She loved hosting parties and setting a beautiful table. She appreciated art, music and literature. She loved her summers at the cottage in Gimli. Her phenomenal memory, sharp intellect and perceptive judgment were the source of answers to many questions about the family, the Winnipeg community, Israel, cooking, entertaining, fundraising or really any other topic you can imagine. Her love for us all was a great gift, and she was loved by all.
Serky is predeceased by her parents, Myer and Lily Mozersky and her brother Ken Mozersky. She leaves behind her husband of 64 years, Dr. Benjamin Goldberg; brother Dan Mozersky (Joy), and sister Ruthie Grubert; children Harold Goldberg (Alisa), Marty Goldberg (Sharon), and Elana Schultz (Myron); grandchildren, Samuel Wolfberg (Tali), Anna Wagner (Adam), Jacob Goldberg (Kelsey Fenn), Adina Goldberg (Max Levit), Tamar Goldberg (Benjamin Miller), Leora Goldberg, Dafna Schultz, Abbie Schultz, and Liat Schultz; great grandchildren Bella, Maya, Miko, Reni, Bahir, and Hatzkel, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Donations in Serky’s memory may be made to Serky and Benny Goldberg Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, www.jewishfoundation.org 204- 477-7520, or a charity of your choice .
Obituaries
Dr. VELIMIR KON B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Sc., Ph.D. September 18, 1950-June 27, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Velimir Kon, or Shlomo, beloved husband of Branka and father of Deborah and Lea. Velimir was an accomplished teacher and academic, and he was renowned for his intellectualism, humility and humanity.
A gentle soul who was always sociable and who genuinely loved people, Velimir was equally at home in the university classroom as a professor and as a secondary school Biology, Chemistry and Math teacher in Northern Ontario (Big Trout Lake) and Manitoba (God’s River, Berens River). Velimir made a difference to many First Nations students throughout a career that spanned decades. He was dedicated to his students, colleagues and family. An adept and talented pianist, Velimir enjoyed the arts and of course Jewish humour. He was an avid shul goer and supporter of Israel and enjoyed his duties in shul as a Kohayn. Velimir was a man of faith who was able to fuse his love of science and Judaism.
Born in Croatia, Europe (the former Yugoslavia) to Shoah survivors Rose (Rochel, ne Lederer) and Arnold Kon (Ariel), Velimir immigrated to Canada with his wife and girls in 1988, making many personal sacrifices along the way to ensure a peaceful and safe life for his family. Adaptability and optimism characterized Velimir. Known for his heart of gold, Velimir touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. A love of Jewish values, family values and life-long learning and education characterized Velimir. With his charming, outgoing and friendly personality, Velimir welcomed everyone into his life and into our home.
His kindness, humour, generosity and goodness will be deeply missed by his family and friends in Winnipeg, Victoria, B.C., Guelph, ON, Osijek, Croatia, Belgrade, Serbia, Los Angeles and Boston, U.S.A., and Israel, Jerusalem, Haifa and Karmiel. Baruch Dayan Haemet.
A traditional funeral was held on June 30, 2025 at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can still be made to Chabad Lubavitch of Winnipeg, B’nai Brith or the JNF.
Velimir will be forever missed and cherished by Branka, Deborah and Lea.
Obituaries
ELAINE BEVERLEY KAPLAN
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our sister and aunt, Elaine Kaplan. She died on June 24, just a month shy of her 69th birthday.
She was diagnosed with lung cancer 15 months ago, and was given about six months to live, which she was able to exceed with great courage and determination.
Elaine was predeceased by our father Phil Kaplan and mother Bess Kaplan. She is survived by her brothers Gerry (Nancy Hughes), Allan (Rennie) and Sheldon (Mona), along with her nieces and nephews.
Elaine was able to remain at home up until a few days prior to her passing at the St. Boniface Hospital, which was her wish. She was employed by the Canada Revenue Agency for the majority of her career. She loved nature and was devoted to feeding the neighbourhood squirrels and birds. She also adopted and cared for many rescue rabbits over the years. Her family was important to her, and she loved attending family weddings and barbecues.
Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to a pet rescue of your choice.
Obituaries
ALAN KLUNER
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Alan Kluner passed away on July 11, 2025 at the young age of 66. Alan had a very good life despite some ongoing health challenges he met head on for the majority of his life. He loved family and was a very kind and loving son, brother and uncle.
Born in Winnipeg, Alan developed a small but close circle of friends he maintained for many years. His passions were following his sports teams (Jets, Vikings, Bombers) and attending numerous rock concerts.
Alan is survived by his oldest brother Martin (Reesa), his sister-in-law Hanna, his four nephews and nieces Mickey (Stephanie), Corey (Sean), Zev (Kristen), Elana (Danny), and his great-nephews and great-nieces Mason, Lucy, Nora, Remy and Enzo.
He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Phyllis, brother Kerry, and uncle Alvin Mantell.
Alan’s funeral service was graveside at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on Tuesday July 15, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were: Martin Kluner, Mickey Kluner, Corey Kluner, Elana Kluner, Henry Goldfeld, and Alan Levine. Honorary pallbearer was Albert Yanofsky.
For those who wish, donations in Alan’s memory may be made to Diabetes Canada or the charity of your choice.