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
ALAN JEFFREY RAPPAPORT
With much love and sadness, we mourn the passing of Alan Jeffrey Rappaport who died at the age of 72 on July 1, 2025.
Alan was predeceased by his parents – Sidney and Elaine Rappaport. He is survived by his former wife, Lynnie and their children Amy (Josh Bloomfield) and Lissie (Tamir Bourlas), grandchildren Aiden, Olivia, Shai and Aviya, his sister Bonny Leszcz (Molyn), brother Eppy (Ellen), brother Danny (Marcy), and many nieces, nephews and niblings.
Alan was born in Brooklyn, NY. He lived in Pennsylvania and California before moving to Winnipeg at the age of 14 when his father accepted a position as head rabbi at the Rosh Pina Synagogue. He earned an accounting degree at the University of Manitoba and became a Certified Chartered Accountant. An entrepreneur at heart, he went on to become co-owner of Omnitsky Kosher with his brother Eppy.
Alan was a gifted athlete. He had a sharp intellect (particularly with numbers). He played a great game of pool, poker and golf. He was well loved for his sense of adventure. He knew how to live large and did so in the first part of his life.
Alan had a significant stroke at the age of 48 when he lost the use of his left side. The latter part of his life was marked by adjusting to disability. He learned to live with less and appreciate ordinary everyday delights – a riveting murder mystery, a corned beef sandwich, a Blue Jays game.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Simkin Centre for the care he received in his final years.
If desired, memorial donations can be made to: Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre or Bruce Oake Recovery Centre.
Obituaries
JACOB (JACK) KLEIMAN FEBRUARY 8, 1927 – AUGUST 19, 2024
It was with great sorrow that we announced the passing of Jacob (Jack) Kleiman (Jacob ben Moishe) on Monday August 19, 2024 (16, Av) in his 98th year.
He was predeceased by his parents, Maurice and Rose Kleiman, his brother, Harvey, and his sisters, Florence (the late Louis Selby), Betty (the late Joseph Gilfix) and Ruth (the late Ben Aisenstat). He is survived by his sister Ann of Bethesda, U.S.A. (the late Harold Eist). He will be missed by his many nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grand-nieces, great-grandnephews, and great-grandnieces.
Jack’s maternal grandparents were among the pioneer families established in the then Hirsch Colony (founded 1892) by the Jewish Colonization Association in the Southeast corner of Saskatchewan. Jack and his late brother Harvey lived and farmed on the same land purchased by their parents in the area.
In later years he and his brother developed many business interests: initially farm implement and automotive sales and later oil exploration companies including Poplar Developments Ltd., drilling locally. They were well known in the surrounding community and were generous supporters of local charitable initiatives such as the Estevan General Hospital.
Jack and his brother were the last Jewish farmers in the Hirsch area and over the years were the subject of many literary articles and television interviews. Jack and his brother helped to maintain the Jewish cemetery in the Hirsch area until it was taken over as a historical site by the province. Due to advancing age, the family farm was sold in 2016 and both retired to Calgary to be nearer to family. This marked the closing of one chapter of Jewish history in Canada.
Jack was a talented mechanic who remained married to the land and devoted to his family. He was ever of good spirit. Although frail in body, Jack remained active mentally and involved in life until the end being always interested in the happenings of his extended family.
It is hard to adequately sum up a long life marked by both hard work, dedication to family, and good humour. The entire family remember him and honour him with love, affection, and good memories.
The family wishes to thank the many friends and neighbours in the Estevan area who provided help and support during his last years and especially to his dedicated care givers in Calgary.
The funeral was held in Calgary on August 22, 2024, at the Chevra Kadisha Chapel with interment at the 37th Street Jewish Cemetery.
The unveiling will take place on July 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM at the same location. Donations may be made in Jack’s memory to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
EDITH LANDY
June 30, 1920 – July 2, 2025
After a long and fulfilling life, our Mother passed on July 2, 2025. Born in Winnipeg, she grew up as part of a large extended family.
Mother was predeceased by her parents, Joseph Mayer Freiden and Rivka (nee Fordman), our father, David Landy, and her sisters Syma Katz and Jennie Rich. Edith is survived by her five children and their families: Laurie Landy and Nora Spinks, Barbara and Paul Livingston, Bob and Rhonda Landy, Mark Landy and Jenifer, and Martin Landy, her grandchildren Saralyn, Adam, Alex, Joshua, Ethan, Caitlin, David, Alicia, Lily, and six great-grandchildren, her cousins Norma Chernick and Shlomo Mayman and her many friends and relatives.
Mom grew up as part of a large extended family in the North End of Winnipeg, guided by her father’s values of service, community and the importance of family. She entered the School of Nursing at the Winnipeg General Hospital, now the Health Sciences Centre. She progressed from general duty nurse to nursing supervisor and served as the Assistant Director of Nursing for 15 years until her retirement in 1983. Over the course of her five-decade nursing career, she raised five children, managed a household, cared for many extended family members and remained actively involved in the community.
Community was a foundation of Mom’s life. Mom was very proud of her volunteering at the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival, Winnipeg Folk Fest and other community events. She and David were patrons of the arts, including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Manitoba Opera. In 2024, she was recognized as the longest continuous subscriber to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
The North Centennial Seniors Association played an important role in our parents’ later years. She ran her kitchen crew, supervised Hot Dog Day and provided food for many bus trips. Mom’s legacy was the Grandma Grandpa Swim Club, which she established, raised funds for, and built into a strong organization.
After a long and remarkable life of service and giving care, Mom accepted the need to receive care. The Family would like to thank Melita and Nelissa for their care and dedication, as well as the staff of the Simkin Centre, especially on Weinberg 2.
We cannot put into words how much she will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Joseph Freiden Scholarship for Jewish Studies at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
A service was held July 4, 2025, at Chesed Shel Emes – Winnipeg.