Obituaries
ABE POSEN
With deep sadness, we are sorry to announce the passing of Abe Posen, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle, on August 10th at the Grace Hospital.
He was three weeks short of his 102nd birthday. Abe was a quiet man with a never-ending sense of humour that paved his way in the world. He was strong on the outside, soft on the inside, full of humility and easily embarrassed if you put the spotlight on him.
Abe was born to Gittel nee Gurarie (Gray) and Mayer Posen in Winnipeg on Sept. 3rd, 1921. During the war he was stationed in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. As his first language was Yiddish he corresponded with his parents in Yiddish and the letters would often arrive with words cut out. Who knew that the RCAF had Yiddish speaking censors? Abe was a dedicated family man who also enjoyed his extended circle of uncles, aunts and cousins.
He grew up in a small 2-bedroom house on Burrows, where his parents took in boarders to help supplement their income. The boarders slept in the dining room behind a curtain. They were teachers from Peretz Shul who had recently arrived from pre-war Europe, or sometimes his cousins who came from the country for extended stays. There’s no doubt it taught him about giving, sharing and reaching out to help people in need.
We loved hearing the stories of his youth filled with characters both Jewish and Gentile and how living in the old North End, was like living in Eastern Europe. His early working career except for a stint as a bike delivery boy, was spent working for the family enterprises such as his uncle Motel’s Whistle bottling plant, later to become Blackwood Beverages and his Uncle Moishe’s (Morris Gray) travel agency.
In 1948, he married our beloved mum Ruth Dvorchik and their first of two sons, Eric came along in 1950. At the same time, Abe began his studies to become a Chartered Accountant and went on to work for the firm Sandell Peltz. He eventually left to work for the Federal Government and ended his career as the Chief Auditor for Special Projects for the Province of Manitoba. Abe also kept a private accountancy business going and his clients consisted mostly of Jewish newcomers who ran grocery stores and small shops. He helped them when they went through financial hardships, by lowering his fee or not charging them.
In his spare time, he was President of the Brandeis Lodge and was a lifelong member of the YMHA serving on the Board of Directors and Governors. His passion was exercising, a habit that started at the ‘Y’ as a teen on Albert Street. He loved weightlifting and competed in the sport. He was also a mentor to younger lifters and loved to teach and encourage them.
Abe had a knack for often winning contests. We thought he had great luck, but when we asked him, “What’s your secret”, he said, “You have to enter!”
He took great pride in his grandchildren’s accomplishments and would ask daily, if there were new photos of Lielle, his one and only great granddaughter in Israel. When you’re lucky enough to have a parent live a long healthy life, despite getting covid three times, their presence can’t help but bring blessings to the family. To feel their love, drink in their wisdom and learn about family history is a joy that was shared by three generations of his family. It hurts to say goodbye, but Abe’s legacy of love, humour and gratitude for life is an ever-present inspiration to us all.
Our thanks to the pallbearers, Ariel Posen, Michel Aziza, Lexie and Ken Zimmer, David Gurvey and Darcy Delbridge, plus our thanks to Abe’s regular home care workers who respected him and gave him the best care they could under trying circumstances, as well as the staff and physicians of 4North at the Grace Hospital. Please donate to the Rady Centre (the ‘Y’) or the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
Recent funerals – as posted on the Chesed Shel Emes website
| Betty Brina Simon | Bayla bat Yitzchak v’Miriam | 27/07/1935 | 15/05/2026 | 28 Iyar 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Basia Bayla Fliegel | Bayla bat Leib | 31/05/1930 | 13/05/2026 | 26 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Harold Diamond | Tzvi ben Yaacov v’Chana | 04/12/1935 | 12/05/2026 | 25 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gary Rayburn | Gershon Aaron ben Hersh Ber v’Masha | 21/09/1965 | 09/05/2026 | 22 Iyar 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Ray Schnoor | Raizel bat Ephraim v’Rachel | 13/06/1927 | 05/05/2026 | 19 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gila Ruth Fainstein | Rachel bat Kiva v’Leah | 25/06/1935 | 04/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Toby Schwartz | Chaya Tovah bat Moshe v’Chana | 16/07/1932 | 01/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Rachel Wolman | Rachel Bayla bat Moshe v’Malka | 03/02/1962 | 24/04/2026 | 7 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Leah Gitlin | Laya bat Yosef v’Frayda | 04/09/1926 | 08/04/2026 | 21 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Lin Joseph Rosenbaum | Yosef Levi ben Hershel Zvi v’Dvorah | 17/10/1952 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Norman Stein | Nachum ben Avraham v’Chaya | 10/06/1932 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Marvin Saul Silver | Menachem Shaul ben Avraham v’Chana Gitel | 20/11/1941 | 05/04/2026 | 18 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Kimberley Dawn Kirshenbaum | Isabella bat Avraham v’Sarah | 09/12/1969 | 03/04/2026 | 17 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Walter Ganetsky | Zev ben Yosef haLevi v’Tziporah | 23/09/1940 | 02/04/2026 | 15 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Lorelei Camille Lavitt | Rachel bat Yaakov v’Raisa | 11/04/1936 | 26/03/2026 | 8 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Melvin Myers | Moshe ben Chaim v’Rachel | 24/04/1936 | 24/03/2026 | 7 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
To see more funerals go to https://chesedshelemes.org/records-of-the-deceased/
Obituaries
BASIA BAJLA FLIEGEL
May 31, 1930 – May 13, 2026
Basia Bajla Fliegel passed away unexpectedly on May 13, 2026 at 95 years of age, just 18 days before her 96th birthday. She was born in Kalisz Poland, an only child. She remembers having fun, dancing and helping her parents. Life was happy and normal until 1939.
She, my grandmother and grandfather were on the run for about 3 months crossing in and out of Russia and Poland. During this time, her father was taken by the Germans to a work camp and never seen again. Basia froze her hands and feet badly during their final crossing into Russia, and she and her mother spent three months in hospital healing. Basia and her mother spent the rest of the war in work camps in Siberia and Uzbekistan. Conditions were harsh. They worked logging, picking cotton and fruit and Basia suffered from typhus, malaria and hunger. When the war ended they returned to Poland but there was nothing there for them. Polish people had occupied their apartment and with no documents and no rights they left.
They went to a displaced persons camp in Rosenheim, Germany. Basia’s mother remarried and set up a small kiosk selling beer and apples. Basia worked part time at the kiosk and learnt dress making at an ORT school. It was at the kiosk where she first met my father, Lazar, who liked the ‘apples’ in her rosy cheeks.
In 1948, Basia went to Haifa and lived with her Baba and Zaida. She worked in a dress shop on Herzl Street. One day while walking with friends, she bumped into Lazar and their relationship renewed. They were married on a rooftop on April 17, 1950. The heat did not agree with Lazar so along with my aunt they emigrated to Winnipeg. They arrived on a Friday and by Monday Basia was working piece work in a sewing factory. She worked until a week or so before her first child was born and then stayed at home taking care of her children.
But, Basia didn’t just cook and clean. When Lazar started a family business providing cabinetry and construction services for residential homes and commercial ventures my mother worked alongside him. She answered the phone, paid bills, did banking and made sure all the paperwork was in order. She ran errands for their business and also helped in the workshop, holding plywood and lending a hand with whatever was necessary. My parents considered themselves equal partners which was something Basia was very proud of.
And, Basia had a well-run household. Everything was organized and she was always prepared and on time. Basia valued good food and hospitality. She cooked wonderful meals, and always had cake and cookies for people dropping by. My mother’s closest friend stopped by every day after work to have coffee and cake. The two of them would visit, and simultaneously, mom would ensure dinner was ready. My grandmother dropped by daily and so did other friends as they knew they would be welcome. It was fun having a welcoming home and visiting with family friends.
My parents had a large circle of ‘greener’ or greenhorn friends, all of them immigrants escaping and recovering from the Shoah. They knew how to live. They worked hard and played hard. Every Saturday night there were card games at someone’s home. They served tons of food, and played poker and kaluki for money, until three or four in the morning. When it was New Year’s Eve, they dressed up in costumes, went to the synagogue dancing and celebrating until the wee hours. As teenagers their children never had curfews because the parents were always out later than them.
Basia sewed clothes for the family, knitted sweaters, hats and scarves for everyone. She loved doing big jigsaw puzzles with her children. Her hands were always busy. She loved music, particularly klezmer, and when tapes were still around had them in her car.
She was a caring and conscientious parent always making sure her children were well fed, safe, did their school work and lots of chores, had annual check-ups and a bed to sleep in. She was always there for us no matter how big or small our problems were. We knew we could call and she would help. She worked hard in her home, and in the family business. We always felt safe, loved and cared for.
Basia and Lazar started with absolutely nothing. Basia came here with virtually no education, no possessions and couldn’t speak the language. With hard work and incredible foresight, she and her husband accomplished their dreams of having a loving family and home. They always contributed to society and were never takers.
The last few years of Basia’s life were hampered by a progressing dementia and physical disability that slowly compromised her. But, her final few years didn’t define her life of success and achievement. She’ll be remembered for how much she accomplished and as the warm and devoted mother and wife she was.
Basia is survived by her children Miriam (Ron), Larry (Ann) grandchildren Sarah, Alex (Stefanie) and Danny and her great-grandchildren Mia, Jake, Ava and James and sister-in-law Bella.
We would like to express our thanks to Helma, Herminie and Marilyn from the WRHA for their kindness and caring toward Basia. We would also like to thank the pallbearers Barry, Bernie, Larry, Sarah, Alex and Ron.
Donations in Basia’s name can be made to the JNF, Alzheimer’s Society or charity of your choice.
Obituaries
RAY SCHNOOR
June 13, 1927 – May 5, 2026
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Ray Schnoor, on May 5, 2026, just short of her 99 birthday.
Ray was predeceased by her husband of almost 71 years, Toby Schnoor. He passed away in December 2022, and she never really recovered from that loss. Ray was the last of her generation. She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Rose Kass, her sister, Betty Rice, and her brothers, Sidney and Jack Cass. She is survived by her children, Jeffrey Schnoor (Bruce) and Carla Nepon (Jack), her grandchildren, Taryn and David Nepon and many nieces and nephews. Regrettably, she did not live to see David’s upcoming marriage to Nicola.
Ray was completely devoted to her family; nothing was more important to her. She loved her family with all her heart and took immense pride in her children and grandchildren; she delighted in their accomplishments. She kept a traditional Jewish home and made sure that no one ever left her table hungry. She was an excellent cook and baker, even though she often wouldn’t eat her own creations because of her many (often inexplicable) food aversions. For decades, her world revolved around the weekly Friday Night Dinner, where all the family gathered. She planned it, made it, served it, reviewed it and then started again.
Less traditionally (for her time), Ray also worked outside the home, part-time, as a bookkeeper. She did that well into her 80s.
The family is grateful for the care Mom received at the Simkin Centre and for the loving dedication of her caregivers, Lisa and Terry. The last few years were difficult for Mom but we choose to remember the good times.
A graveside funeral was held at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on May 8, 2026. Pallbearers were Jeffrey Schnoor, Jack Nepon, David Nepon, Kevin Rice, Randy Schnoor and Neil Stern. Larry Rice was honourary pallbearer. The family is grateful to Rabbi Matthew Leibl who led the service and shared the family’s memories and grief. The kindness of family and friends has been a great comfort.
Like Toby, Ray leaves a gap that cannot be filled, and memories that we will cherish forever. These few words cannot begin to capture the pain of our loss. We love you always, Mom, and miss you terribly.