Obituaries
IRVIN (OZZY) PLOSKER
Irvin (Ozzy) Plosker (b Jan 10, 1931) passed away at Riverview Hospital May 10, 2017 at age 86.
Ozzy was “A special student of Life and Learning”, always wanting to “taste the fruit of every tree.” He was a bright student, but a university education was not in the cards due to the dire financial needs of his family, so Ozzy made printing his trade.
One Friday night at a hangout called The Good Earth in the North End, he met a giggling girl named Sandra and knew she was it! They married, and moved to Kenora, Ontario in 1958 to run a motel which they eventually bought and expanded. They stayed in Kenora for 41 years where they raised two children and enjoyed small town life. During that time Ozzy became a long distance runner, biker, photographer, and cook. As a senior, he biked from Winnipeg to Gimli and back for 11 consecutive years in support of the Multiple Sclerosis society. The great love of his life was yoga, which he practiced all over the world. We was an outstanding yoga teacher, mostly to senior ladies who loved his classes.
In 1999, Ozzy and Sandra sold their motel and moved back to Winnipeg for an active retirement which included adult education classes at the University of Winnipeg, and travel to the four corners of the globe. Antarctica, the Galapagos, Israel, Australia, an African Safari, the Far East, Russia, Europe, and the polar bears in Churchill all captured in beautiful photographs and memory. From hot air balloons to white water rafting, a frightened but willing Sandra was at his side!
Ozzy was a gentle, kind, peaceful man. He loved animals, always had cats and dogs, and did not believe in hunting. He hand fed one of his sick dogs for a year. He was very observant, embraced and found strength in his Faith, and attended Etz Chayim Synagogue actively and regularly.
If success in life is measured by spreading love, devotion, kindness, motivation, and direction, then Irvin (Ozzy) achieved great success in life. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Sandra, Son and Daughter-in-law Shayne and Michele Plosker, Daughter and Son-in-Law Rhea Plosker and Michael Carter, and Grand-Daughter Sayde.
Many thanks for Dr. Ray Singer, Dr. Marnie Wiseman, Dr. Jim Johnson, and all of their support teams for caring for Irvin over the years. And special thank you to Ozzy’s nieces and nephews Norman and Deborah Mayer and Barton and Michelle Faiman who were vigilant at his bedside during his final weeks, and to Sandra’s sister Carol Faiman for her support. Donations can be made to the Charity of One’s Choice.
As long as I live, you will live.
As long as I live, you will be remembered.
As long as I live, you will be loved.
Good night! As we have so oft said beneath this roof at midnight,
in the days that are no more, and shall no more return. Thou has
but taken up thy lamp and gone to bed; I stay a little longer, as one
stays to cover up embers that still burn. – Longfellow
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.