Obituaries
LOUIS COGAN
On Monday, July 16, 2018, Louis Cogan passed away peacefully in his home at the age of 83 surrounded by his family.
Predeceased by his parents David and Bertha Cogan, he is survived by his wife of 57 years Marcia (nee Katz), his children Susan (Yair Shachar-Hill), Karen (Neil Grahn), Joel (Jessica Cogan) and his grandchildren, David, Essie, Sydney, Becca, Rachel, Lauren, and Benjamin; brother Harvey Cogan (Nessie), sister Leya Tapper (Bernie), sister-in-law Adrienne Katz and many nieces and nephews.
Lou was born March 18, 1935 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, in what was then Fort William. He worked in a grocery store at the age of 15 and at 17 worked night shift at the Abitibi Paper Mill in Port Arthur. On Saturdays he worked up to 14 hours a day at Safeway as a bagger. As a young man, he worked as a door-to-door salesman with his brother Harvey selling Fuller Brushes to save money for university.
He moved to Toronto to attend Dental School at the University of Toronto where he was an honour student and lived at the Alpha Omega Jewish Fraternity House. After graduating from Dentistry, he moved to Winnipeg in the fall of 1958, practicing for a short time in Emerson Manitoba. He then spent nearly 40 years running highly successful dental practices in Windsor Park and on Marion Street in Winnipeg. Over the years he was actively involved as a member of the Manitoba Dental Society, the Winnipeg Dental Society and the Alpha Omega Fraternity serving as president and as regent. He retired from dental practice in 1996 and focused on real estate and business endeavours.
Lou lived life to the fullest and enjoyed playing tennis and golf with friends at Glendale Country Club and schmoozing at The Asper Campus. He loved travel, fishing trips, spending time in Scottsdale, hockey games, listening to music of all kinds, and spending good times with family and dear friends.
The seeds of Jewish community involvement were planted in Young Judea and later he served as the President of the local chapter of Technion. An active participating member of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, he was a Zionist and a strong supporter of the State of Israel visiting many times with his wife Marcia and taking his beloved father on two special occasions. He was dedicated to canvassing for Jewish causes and Israel and gave generously to both the Jewish community and the community at large. On September 28, 2004 he ensured his legacy would continue in perpetuity becoming a signer in the Endowment Book of Life for the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Family was everything to Lou and his love was returned in full measure. He was grateful to celebrate all his grandchildren’s B’nai Mitzvot and it was a lifetime highlight for him to celebrate his own second Bar Mitzvah at the age of 83.
The family gratefully appreciates the loving support of Heather Tapper, Hart Poskar, Lara London, and Rhiannon Boyko, and wishes to thank the many professionals who supported Lou through all his medical challenges including Chuck and Glenn from Meyers Drugs, the Heart Failure Clinic, Drs. Marvin Slutchuk, Pamela Katz, Grant Goldberg, Mark Clarke, Paul Komenda, Mel Bottner, and the Palliative Care Team. We are grateful for his kind and dedicated caregivers Rose Ruperto, Lynn Carmichael, Cherry May Pellegrino and Chris Ruedas. Most especially, Lou relied on his nighttime caregiver Elvin Pellegrino, who went above and beyond to support Lou in every way possible.
Funeral services were held at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 2 pm. Pallbearers were Joel Cogan, Neil Grahn, Danny Hamburg, Hart Poskar, Yair Shachar-Hill and Norman Shore. Honourary Pallbearers were Zivie Chudnow, Jeff Koplovitch, David Shachar-Hill, Frank Short and Bernie Tapper.
Lou’s life was a life well lived. He will forever be missed and will always be remembered with love.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honour of Lou can be made to the The Louis and Marcia Cogan Family Trust Fund through the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba (204)477-7520.
Obituaries
AGNES FUNK (nee POLLAK) August 12, 1927 – February 18, 2026
Agnes (Anyu) peacefully passed away at the age of 98. Predeceased by her husband Fred and son George, she is survived by her daughter Kathy Shefrin, grandsons, Mark Shefrin (Laurie) and Allan Shefrin (Stephanie) and her great-grandchildren, Abby, Seth, Livia and Frankie.
Born and raised in Hungary, Agnes – known to many as Agi – was a survivor. During the Second World War, her parents made the difficult choice to hide her with righteous neighbours, thus saving her life during the Holocaust. In post war Budapest, she met the love of her life Fred. Their new life took an abrupt turn when communism took over Hungary. In 1956, with nothing, Fred, Agi, Kathy and George moved to Winnipeg to join family.
Initially, life in Winnipeg was not easy, but they found safety, community and opportunity. Their greatest joy was time spent with their children and grandchildren. They loved to travel, especially to Hawaii. Agi had a dry sense of humour infused with a Hungarian accent and mixed up words that made everyone around her laugh. Though she was quiet, her big blue eyes and infectious smile could fill a room.
In 2007, her beloved Fred died, followed by her adored son George in 2016. Both times her resiliency and strength saw her though, and those qualities served her well again when she rebounded from a life-threatening infection while visiting her family in Ottawa.
Agi experienced life’s greatest joys as her four great-grandchildren arrived. She treasured them, as they did her.
The family expresses their utmost thanks to Agi’s devoted companion, Robin Davis for her love and care for Agi over the last four years. Special thanks to the Weinberg 3 team at the Simkin Centre.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fred and Agnes Funk Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or the charity of your choice to honour her remarkable life.
Obituaries
LOUIS CHOCHINOV
It is with profound sorrow that we share with you the passing of Louis (Label) Chochinov. On September 12, 2025, just 3 days past his 98th birthday, Lou passed with family by his side. He will be forever cherished by his children Bruce and Sheila (Toronto), Aydel (Adrian) and Laurence (Saskatoon), his loving grandchildren Allen-Vikram (Audrey), Kiran (Morgana), Lexi (Sean), and Gabi. He also leaves to mourn many nephews, nieces, friends and neighbours. Lou was predeceased by parents Jacob and Tauba, his seven siblings, and the love of his life of over 60 years Gertie (2012).
Born in 1927, the youngest of 8 children, Lou grew up on his family’s dairy farm. Lou attended Centennial High School where he enjoyed running track as well as theatre. In 1947 Lou won the Provincial Track Meet and in the same year had the starring role in his school’s production of the Mikado.
Lou was an important figure in his community, running a number of businesses including North End Service, Minit Car Wash, and Western Messenger. He was an avid bridge and cribbage player and was a fixture playing every Tuesday at the Gwen Secter. He had a true passion for gardening and made a real impact playing baseball in the 65+ weekly league at Kildonan Park. In recent years he could also be found every Friday enjoying lunch and the company of close friends at Boston Pizza. Most of all he will be remembered as a most kind, honest, and generous person whose positive attitude warmed the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Funeral services were held September 15, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue with burial at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bruce Chochinov, Laurence Givelichian, Allen-Vikram Chochinov, Kiran Chochinov, Gabi Givelichian, and Sean Kelly. Honorary Pallbearers were Harvey Zabenskie, Ben Friedman, and Jeff Greggain.
The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to all of the people who supported Dad (Zaza/Zaida) including many well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thank you to Lori and the wonderful staff at River Ridge Residence where Dad resided prior to his passing. The family also thanks all of Dad’s amazing neighbours who repaid his kindness and generosity with unending support and help ease his final years.
Dad will be deeply missed and
forever in our hearts.
Obituaries
LILLIAN R. MOSTOW (NEE HALPARIN) AUGUST 31, 1926 – JANUARY 18, 2026
Our beloved matriarch, Lillian Mostow, passed away peacefully at 99 years of age at the Simkin Centre, where she had received exemplary care for more than six years.
Lillian was quite the character. She said what she meant, without filters; she was strong, opinionated, and fiercely protective of those she loved. You always knew exactly where you stood with her.
The youngest of five, Lillian grew up on Dufferin Ave. in north-end Winnipeg, next door to her father’s sweater factory, Standard Knitting. Clever and artistic, she studied interior design at the University of Manitoba before marrying Harold Mostow in 1947. They had a wonderful life together. They loved to throw parties for their family and friends at their home on Brock St. and Lillian’s Sunday pancake brunch was a cherished tradition. To escape Winnipeg’s brutal winters, they vacationed first in Mexico and later in Maui, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary as a joint simcha with the marriage of her daughter, Morri Mostow, to Douglas Long. After their children left home, Lillian accompanied Harold on his business trips to Asia, where she bought beads and semi-precious stones for the necklaces she designed for her home-based business, My Place. In 2005, two years after being widowed, she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Gabriola Island, BC, where they happily shared a home for 14 years. Despite being a city girl all her life, she adapted seamlessly to country living. She soon had bridge partners and friends and began volunteering. Fiercely independent, she drove around the island in her red PT Cruiser, going to the library, attending events and taking the ferry to Nanaimo’s aquatic centre to swim a few times a week.
In 2019, failing mobility and cognition necessitated a move back to Winnipeg, to the Simkin Centre, where she spent her final years. At 99, she was still going to concerts, synagogue services and exercise classes.
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Moses/Moishe and Clara/Chaika Halparin, her siblings, William/Bill Halparin, Norman Halparin, Archie Halparin and Freda Fox, and by Harold Mostow, her husband of 56 years. She is mourned by her children, Morri Mostow (Douglas Long), Michael Mostow and Sydney Mostow; by her grandchildren, Cassandre Aras, Clotilde Aras (Nicolas Gautier), Kyle Mostow (Rachel Minuk) and Mauro Mostow Palmer; by her great-grandchildren, Emily Mostow, Léonard, Céleste and Lilas Gauthier; by her many nieces, nephews and cousins; and by all those whose lives she touched.
Grateful thanks to the extraordinary staff at the Simkin Centre who took such good care of Lillian. Also to Rabbi Carnie Rose, who officiated her funeral with great warmth and compassion at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on January 22, 2026.
Eulogies and more about Lillian’s life can be found on morrimostow.com. Donations in Lillian’s memory can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.