Obituaries
GARY MELTZER January 28, 1953 – July 31, 2024
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Gary Martin Meltzer on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at the Grace Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Born on January 28, 1953, in Beausejour, Manitoba,
Gary was the cherished son of Arnie and Helen Meltzer (née Shore).
Gary was predeceased by his devoted parents, Arnie and Helen Meltzer, and his brother, Allan Meltzer. He is survived by his nephew Jonathan Meltzer (Sean), niece Megan Meltzer, his great-niece Gabby Meltzer and his great-nephews, Jerrod Meltzer and Benji Carroll. Gary will be deeply missed by his many cousins. He shared a particularly close relationship with his cousin Jennifer Curtis-Lane. Jennifer’s steadfast presence by Gary’s side in his final days was a testament to their deep connection. Gary’s love extended to Jennifer’s husband Deon and their three daughters, Sophie, Abby, and Emily.
Gary’s early years were spent in Beausejour Manitoba, where his father Arnie and Uncle Sid started their business. Those days were filledwith the warmth and joy of a large extended family. In 1964, the Meltzer family moved to Winnipeg, settling on Hartford Avenue in West Kildonan, where Gary attended West Kildonan Collegiate before earning his CPA degree from the University of Manitoba.
A naturally private person, Gary was happiest when surrounded by family and talking about politics, sports or current events. His fondest memories were of summers spent at Winnipeg Beach with his Margulius and Shore cousins. As he grew older, Gary became more reserved, quietly excelling in a wide range of skills. Whether fixing cars, repairing things around the house, or building intricate model airplanes and cars, Gary’s talents were many, yet he never sought attention for them.
Gary’s aptitude for numbers and building, found a perfect outlet in his career as a CPA and bookkeeper for companies specializing in window manufacturing and installation. His professional career eventually took him from the back office to the factory floor where his last few years were spent building windows andother items that used to fill his spreadsheets. His professional skills were matched by a deep love for hockey. As a devoted Winnipeg Jets 1.0 season ticket holder, Gary was known for his passionate “coaching” from his favourite chair during away games.
Gary was a man of habit and tradition. He frequented the Salisbury House at Main Street and Matheson for coffee and the Green Briar Inn for beers with friends. His vanity license plate, “GO AWAY,” became infamous in the family, a quirky symbol of his unique personality.
One of Gary’s lesser-known talents was baking. He took pride in mastering his mother’s cherished recipes, often sharing his creations with Jennifer and her daughters, who were his willing taste-testers.
Gary’s big heart was often hidden beneath a quiet demeanour, but his family always knew they could count on him. Whether helping with a move, installing appliances, or giving advice on home improvements, Gary was always there.
After his father Arnie fell ill, Gary remained at home to help his mother. He continued to help Helen adjust to life without Arnie, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to family.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff on the 3rd floor of the Grace Hospital for their compassionate care during Gary’s final weeks, with special gratitude to Nurse Tyler for his empathy and kindness.
A special thank you to Tracey Kasner for conducting Gary’s funeral and capturing his essence. Funeral service was held on Friday, August 2, 2024, at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery.
Pallbearers included Jonathan Meltzer, Megan Meltzer, Jennifer Lane, Jeffrey Curtis, Rick Shore, and Leon Pincovich.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg or Cancer- Care Manitoba.
Gary will be remembered for his quiet strength, his selflessness, and the love he had for his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Obituaries
LOUIS ELFENBAUM March 12, 1936 – December 9, 2024
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Dr. Louis Elfenbaum. Louis was a popular Professor of Kinesiology at California State University, Sacramento. He taught for 38 years and then retired and moved to San Diego, California, with his wife, Elizabeth.
Born in rural Lipton, Saskatchewan, on March 12, 1936, Louis was the youngest of six children of Abraham and Dora Elfenbaum. With his siblings, Louis braved the harsh Canadian climate to maintain the family farm.
At age 14, Louis moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he lived with his sister and attended St. John’s High School. In high school, Louis was extremely popular, an excellent student, an accomplished athlete, and was voted school president.
After high school, Louis studied at Manitoba Teachers’ College and began his teaching career. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State College in Minnesota, followed by a Master of Science in Physical Education from the University of North Dakota. He earned his Doctorate in Kinesiology from Ohio State University in 1966. His early professorships were at West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M) and prestigious McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
In 1970, Louis accepted a full professorship at California State University, Sacramento where he taught Kinesiology for close to four decades. During his tenure as a professor, Louis pursued his interest in law, earning his J.D. degree from Lincoln Law School in 1982.
Louis cared deeply about his students, offering a special lecture about life that attracted students not only from his department, but also from the entire university. He valued intellectual curiosity and fostered that spirit in his students as well as his four children, who have all pursued higher education earning advanced degrees.
Louis had a magnetic personality. He was kind, patient, generous, caring, honest and selfless. Those attributes had a lasting positive impact on everyone he met. He was adored by his family including his children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins, who greatly valued his wisdom, his guidance and his unconditional love.
Louis is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Lefcort, (pre-deceased by his ex-wife Esther—d. 2018–and mother of) his four children, Adrian Elfenbaum (JoAnne Winter), Ian Elfenbaum (Susan Adler), Marcia Elfenbaum, Pamela Elfenbaum (David Klein), 2 stepchildren, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Obituaries
JERRY MOSCOVITCH
Jerry Moscovitch, husband to Gloria and father to Susan and Dan passed away at the Simkin Centre January 2, 2025.
Obituaries
THE HONOURABLE RUTH KRINDLE
February 6, 1943 – December 22, 2024
It is with deep sadness that the family announces her passing after a brief illness.
Left with love in their hearts are her spouse, Bev Stacey and her family, brother David (Jackie), sister-in-law Devorah, her nieces and nephews and their families.
Ruth was born and raised in Winnipeg. She attended a number of public schools in Winnipeg’s North End, completing her high school in 1959. She then took two years of arts at United College and entered the Manitoba Law School as one of only six women, receiving her LLB from the University of Manitoba.
She was called to the Bar of Manitoba in 1968. She practiced in the area of labour law until 1970, when she was appointed a prosecutor by the Province of Manitoba. In that role, she appeared in all levels of court within Manitoba and before the Supreme Court of Canada. In 1976, she was appointed Chair of the Manitoba Labour Board. In 1977, she returned to private practice, largely chairing private labour arbitration tribunals. In 1980, she was appointed a judge of the County Court of Winnipeg and in 1984, a judge of the general division of the Court of Queen’s Bench. During her years as a trial judge, she presided over a number of high-profile, lengthy, complex criminal trials. She retired from the Court of Queen’s Bench in 2002. Ruth was the first woman to chair the Manitoba Labour Board and the first woman appointed by the Federal Government to the bench in Manitoba.
While on the bench, Ruth was a sessional lecturer in criminal law at the U of M Law School, and was involved in developing and delivering continuing legal education programs to lawyers and judges. She was a valued mentor to many younger colleagues. For the National Judicial Institute and the Canadian Judicial Council, she presented courses for judges across Canada on the Charter, criminal evidence and practice, and jury trials. On her retirement, she was appointed to the position of Arbitrator under the Northern Flood Agreement. Also, by agreement of the parties, as a pilot project, she was involved in resolving numerous Manitoba Residential Schools claims out-of-court.
In 2000, Ruth was presented with a Distinguished Service Award by the Manitoba Bar Association acknowledging her service to the legal profession and the community at large. In 2002, she was presented with the Hero Award by the Canadian Bar Association Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Conference in recognition of her contribution to the cause of equality for the LGBT communities.
Ruth embraced her retirement pursuing a Masters’ degree in Art History. She and Bev travelled extensively in France, England and Italy documenting sculptures in churches concentrating on the sculptures on the Abbey Church of Sainte-Marie at Souillac for her thesis. She also researched the history and wrote a paper on the Anglican Cathedral Church of St. John in Winnipeg.
In accordance with Ruth’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no service will be held. A reception will be held in April.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the compassionate and dedicated staff at Riverview Health Centre.
Donations in Ruth’s memory can be made to charities close to her heart: the School of Contemporary Dancers, Main Street Project and Harvest Manitoba or to a charity of your choosing.