Obituaries
ARNOLD FRIEMAN
Arnold Frieman — family man, philanthropist, businessman and Holocaust survivor —died peacefully on Friday, April 6, 2019, surrounded by his family.
Arnold is survived by his adored wife of 58 years, Myra — the love of his life, partner and advocate — and their beloved daughters and their husbands, Nona and Ashley Leibl and Gina and Jea Guertin. He also leaves his cherished grandchildren Marli Leibl and Josh Vickar, Lexi Leibl, Benji Leibl, Mara and Benji Ostrove, Cayli Weinberg and Sara and Warren Gardiner. He was thrilled to welcome into his family his cherished great-grandchildren Emerson and Brooks Vickar and Cameron Ostrove. He also leaves his sister, Elizabeth Samuel, his sister-in-law, Rita Silver, his nieces and nephews and many friends.
Arnold’s family is his legacy — and his revenge against the murderous tyranny of Hitler’s Nazis.
Arnold was born in Hungary in 1928, one of six children in a tight-knit Orthodox Jewish family whose happy life was destroyed by the Holocaust. He went to a Jewish elementary school, but his town lacked a Jewish secondary school and his parents sent him to relatives in Budapest for further education. He was there when he heard that Jews outside Budapest were being rounded up and shipped out of the country. To help save his family, he headed home, but by the time he arrived his family was gone. Everyone — his mother, father, two brothers, three sisters and his maternal grandfather — had been deported to Auschwitz.
As a teenager, alone, Arnold survived an odyssey of flight, capture, forced labour, prisoner-of-war camp and miraculous escape across four countries. After the war he was selected for transfer from a displaced persons’ camp near Bergen-Belsen to Norway, where he received medical care, returned to school and eventually studied electronics. In 1947 he was recruited to fight in the Israeli War of Independence. In the Israeli Air Force he put his electronics training to use and — another miracle —discovered that two of his sisters, Elizabeth and Edith, had survived Auschwitz and were living in the nascent Jewish state. Despite their happy reunion, at the end of 1949 he returned to Norway.
In 1951 Arnold’s desire to see imagined worlds drew him across the Atlantic Ocean to Canada. He was on his way to an arranged job in Windsor, Ont., but on a whim headed for Winnipeg — where he hoped to find the Wild West he had fallen in love with as a child through the movies. He arrived in Winnipeg in May 1951 penniless, alone and knowing four languages, none of them English.
He found a job and new friends, one of whom, Minnie Heft, encouraged him to pursue a university education. He hesitated, fearing that poor English and a lack of money would stand in his way, but he passed the entrance exam. With a $1,000 gift from Mrs. Heft, he was able to start a business to finance his studies: He fixed and re-sold car radios purchased from wrecking yards.
Arnold’s four years at the University of Manitoba were transformative. He had been a wild teenager and young adult, but the university experience stabilized him. Arnold graduated in 1960 with a bachelor of arts degree and a renewed belief in possibilities — as well as the love of Myra Thompson, whom he had met on her 18th birthday at a Hillel House debate he was moderating. Seven months later they were married. Their daughter Nona was born a year later, their daughter Gina 17 months after that.
Persuaded to go into business by Myra, Arnold in 1962 bought a two-person television sales and service shop from which they also sold car radios and the hot new thing — television sets. Within 12 years, the shop had been transformed into Advance Electronics, a multi-million-dollar business with 170 employees. It remains the largest independently owned retail and professional electronics stores in Western Canada.
One of the great joys of Arnold’s success was his ability to give back to the community. He and Myra have supported nearly 50 provincial, national and international organizations and institutions. They range from iconic arts groups, such as the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Manitoba Opera, to small, grassroots causes. Among the beneficiaries of his generosity was the premiere of I Believe, a Holocaust oratorio that helps people everywhere appreciate the importance of peace and justice. He was a devoted supporter of Israel and his many contributions to his alma mater include support for the University of Manitoba-University of Szeged Partnership, which funds exchanges between Hungarian and Manitoban scholars. Arnold’s inclusive style of philanthropy encouraged creativity, kindness and many of the other qualities that he treasured in his adopted home.
Over the years, his achievements have been recognized with numerous honours, most notably his induction into the Order of Manitoba in 2006 and the awarding of an honorary doctor of laws degree in 2018 by the University of Manitoba, which cited him as an exceptional global citizen and builder of his community.
A funeral was held on Monday, April 8, 2019, at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Arnold’s dear friend Rabbi Alan Green, the former senior rabbi at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, returned from Iowa to deliver the eulogy. Burial was at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Ashley Leibl, Jea Guertin, Norman Silver, Shane Silver, Michael Silver, Josh Vickar and Benji Ostrove. Honorary pallbearers were Peter Robertson, Robby Olynik, Steve Samuel and Oded Samuel.
Memorial donations may be made to the Jewish National Fund or the Benji Leibl Special Needs Fund through the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Obituaries
ROSE KNIGHT(nee Yager) MAY 18, 1929 – NOVEMBER 28, 2025
Rose Knight ( nee Yager) passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025 in Winnipeg surrounded by family.
Rose was a petite woman who was larger than life. A firecracker. A personality. A glam queen. And a beauty.
She was born in Drohobych Poland in 1929 and came to Canada in 1934 the age of five. Her story is typical of many people of that era who left Eastern Europe seeking a better life. Her aunt Lena had pioneered the move to Canada as a young woman, later, sponsoring Rose’s father. He arrived first, leaving his wife, Sara, daughters Bess and Rose and son Joe. Through years of hard work, the family saved to reunite in Winnipeg, settling in the north end with humble beginnings on Alfred Avenue until her father and uncle purchased Crust Furrier and moved into anapartment behind the shop.
When she was 18 or 19, she started a job as a secretary where she met her future husband; the boss, “Solomon” (Sol) . She settled into the life of being a married lady and homemaker with three children under the age of five by the time she was 26. She raised three children Paul (Debbie), Marcia (Ira), Alan (Brenda).
Family was everything to Rose. And as in every family, the children, grandchildren Josh (Abby), Michael (Ashley) Sarah (Emmy), Sean (Lana) Sara (David), Sal and great-grandchildren Mikaela, Kendrik, Mila, Saul, Louis, Solomon, and Sonnie were the topping on the cake. Her home included her mother Sara, for years following the early death of Rose’s father.
Family extended to include her three nieces Marla, Maureen and Debbie who lost their mother when they were very young ; with weekly Friday night dinners, sleepovers, and weekends. When her brother Joe remarried, the family grew to include his additional family of Edith, Jerry, Libby and Mardy. Rose’s sister Bess Hendler (Dave) and family, Marvin and Mark, moved to Los Angeles. The distance did not diminish the closeness between the families which included travel for visits regularly and for all family celebrations. Rose was also very close with Sol’s sisters Adele Borg (Willie) until their early passing and sister Ruth Silverberg (Stan) and Joe; and including multiple generations of Sol’s uncles, aunts and cousins who resided in Toronto.
Rose was a brilliant cook as were her mother and sister. The three of them were to food what the three tenors were to music. They created a culture of food in her home long before there was such a thing as ‘foodies’ . Rose was the inspiration and food teacher to her daughter, nieces, and grandson. Her home was always open and included family and friends; friends of the children, friends of the grandchildren and friends of the friends of the children and the grandchildren. Or simply put there was always room for one more at the table.
Rose was deeply involved community. Rose and Sol were founding partners of their synagogue,the Herzlia-Adas Yeshuran, and its day school.
Rose served as president of the sisterhood, organized, fundraisers, and participated in synagogue theatre productions. She was involved in both Hadassah and ORT organizations and the community outreach programs.
Rose was beloved in the family neighbourhood of Niagara Street where children played outside from dawn until dusk in community shared yards. She was a fixture calling for the children to come in for bedtime and supper and fostered the close-knit community of neighbourhood and outdoor play.
Rose was passionate about beauty and culture. She loved fashion, makeup, design, tableware, music, movies, all things Broadway and art. She had opened an art gallery on Selkirk Avenue and when the gallery closed she worked at the Eaton’s art gallery on the seventh floor. She loved people, their stories and laughter.
Rose was flirtatious and uplifting. She brightened vibes with compliments like. ‘you are gorgeous’ to those around her. She embodied values of family, community, generosity, and joy, echoing the values and teachings from Pirkei Avot ‘If I am not for myself, who am I? If I am only for myself what am? If not now, when?’ Rose was an inspiration in these ways and more.
Sadly dementia robbed her of her life. There are two deaths with dementia. The death of a personand later the death of the body.
Rose was pre-deceased by her beloved husband Sol, her parents, Sara and Morris Yager, both her’s and Sol’s siblings.
We are thankful to Rose’s dedicated caregivers over the years, including most recently Liza, Odette, Antonio, the staff at the Shaftsbury and Simkin Centre and the doormen at 180 Tuxedo for their early support.
Donations in Rose’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice, or suggested to the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre’s Sol and Rose Knight Fund, which honours Rose’s passions for art, culture, music, beauty and Jewish life.
Obituaries
Charlton Gavriel Garland
August 10, 1984 – January 14, 2026
Beloved and devoted husband of Katrina Bittner, proud and loving father of Logan, Mia, and Luke
Son of Marshall and Gail Garland
Son-in-law to Norbert and Carolyn Bittner
Brother to Gideon (Bracha), Matthew (Leah), and Josepha (Adam)
Uncle, nephew, cousin, Charlton Gavriel, z”l, loved his family and loved being with family and friends. Many people commented on his big welcoming smile, good humour and non-judgmental attitude, his tendency from early childhood to help out, how he stood up against bullying, and how much fun it was to be with him. Day camp, picnics, Purim carnivals, Shabbatons benefited. Bartender, then shift supervisor at the Green Brier were on-the-job steps towards his dream of owning his own bar.
Charlton Gavriel’s family was everything to him. Nothing was as dear to him as spending time with his wife and children. His biggest distress was inability to take care of them. He endured so much to keep going as long as he could. They were his greatest love.
These last five years have been very difficult, at times very hopeful and at times almost unbearable with the pain of each chemo, each side effect, and ever increasing weakness.
Sincere thanks for all the love, prayers, anecdotes, photos, things that made us all laugh during these long years.
Heartfelt thanks to far-flung family, to all who came to visit, who helped make visits possible, who ensured Charlton Gavriel, z”l, was surrounded with love and support to the end. He was awake, aware, and acknowledging during his final hours. He passed painlessly and at peace, for which we all are very grateful.
Special thanks to JCFS, Auntie Michelle, and the staff at Concordia Hospital and at Riverview.
Special thanks to Rabbi Altein, Rabbi Benarroch, Rabbi Charytan, and Rabbi Heidingsfeld.
Pallbearers:
Gideon, Marshall, Matthew, and Max Garland
Daniel Saidman
Kas Kuropatwa
Those wishing to help support Charlton Gavriel’s, z”l, family can be in touch with Katrina, Marshall, or Gail for details on how to donate.
Gavriel Garland, you made the world a wonderful place.
Obituaries
SAMUEL SEARLE October 29, 1930 – December 1, 2025
Our dear father, Sam, passed away on December 1, 2025, after a long, rich life of 95 years.
Dad shared almost 67 of those years with our dear mother, his beloved wife, Betty, who predeceased him in April of 2024. Sam was also predeceased by his parents, Dora and David Cirulnikov; three of his four older sisters, Bernice Brownstone, Marion Toffick, Luba Sitchin, and their respective spouses; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Doreen and Garry Shapera.
He is survived by his children Sharna, Lorne (Barbara) and Beverlee (Barry); grandchildren Evan, Aaron, Jamie and Matthew; sister Eve Blank; many nieces and nephews who adored him and for whom he was Uncle Sammy; several cousins; and many friends and former colleagues. All delighted in his company.
Sam was the youngest and only son in a family of five children. His parents emigrated from Russia in the late 1920s with his three oldest sisters. Eve was born shortly after they arrived in Canada and Sam in 1930. The family lived in Winnipeg’s North End and Sam attended public schools and the Talmud Torah night school. During the summers, and part-time throughout the years while continuing his education, he worked as a short order cook at both the Silver Grill Restaurant and Arcade Deli. Dad made his legendary, piled-high sandwiches into his eighties!
After graduating high school from St. John’s Tech, Sam was accepted into the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba, and ultimately went on to enjoy a very accomplished career as a partner with MMP, a major local architectural firm, and later, as a founding partner/developer with Duraps Corporation and Pine Hill Development Corp. In a career that spanned almost half a century, Sam made his mark on the landscape of Winnipeg and other North American cities, having been involved in the design and construction of private residences, schools, concert halls, fire halls, university and government buildings, and the development of condominiums, residential subdivisions, shopping centres and industrial land.
In addition to his professional life, Sam was also a dedicated community volunteer. A long-standing member of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg North, Dad was awarded Rotary International’s highest honour, the Paul Harris Fellow medallion, for his contributions and service to the organization. He also served on the board of the Rosh Pina Synagogue for several terms and was a charter member of the Bel Acres Golf & Country Club.
Dad was also a talented, and ambidextrous, artist, a curler, green thumb, dapper dresser and terrific dancer. He and Betty always lit up a dance floor!
Sam shared a wonderfully rich family life with Betty. Married in 1957, they moved four years later into the mid-century modern masterpiece that Sam designed for them in Garden City (a then new, north end Winnipeg neighbourhood) and in which they remained throughout their entire marriage. The house magically expanded and contracted as needed and saw its share of fabulous parties, Passover Seders and a multitude of family simchas and other joyous gatherings. As parents, they were loving, excellent role models who encouraged strong family connections. As grandparents, Zaida Sam and Bobbie Betty were the best – adoring, proud, involved and a lot of fun!
Locally, Sam and Betty enjoyed attending the symphony, chamber music and jazz concerts, the opera, the Folk Festival and the theatre. Their worldly travels took them to Mexico, Israel, China, Cuba, Europe, the Caribbean and North American camping trips and ski holidays. Closer to home, their cottage in Gimli (Loni Beach), MB, was a focal point for family and friends every summer.
Our father was a man of unwavering integrity, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye and a generosity of spirit. Respected and respectful, Sam Searle was a great guy, a real mensch. He will be deeply missed.
The last year and four months of Dad’s life were spent at the Simkin Centre. Sharing an ice cream and a smile, singing with him, particularly at the “Friday Night Lights” Shabbat service, were precious moments.
Sam passed away peacefully at the Grace Hospital. We are grateful for the care and kindness provided by the staff at both institutions. A heartfelt thank you, as well, to Sharon Merrells, the ultimate “Sam whisperer,” for her years of care and dedication, especially over those last challenging 16 months.
The graveside funeral service, held on December 4, 2025, at the Rosh Pina Memorial Park, was warmly officiated, on a freezing morning, by Rabbi Kliel Rose. The pallbearers were grandchildren Evan, Aaron and Jamie Searle and Matthew Pearl, son-in-law Barry Pearl and great nephew Gavin Shapera.
Donations may be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba’s “Betty & Sam Searle Memorial Fund” or to a charity of your choice.