Obituaries
ABRAHAM (ABE) SIMKIN
Peacefully, with dignity, and his family by his side, Abe Simkin passed away at Del Mar, California on July 22, 2020 at the age of 98.
Abe was predeceased by his wife Fan Simkin, his parents, Fanny and Samuel Simkin, his siblings and their spouses, Jen and Sam Cohen, Clara and Joe Erlichman, Jim and Lil Simkin, Saul and Claribel Simkin , and Blackie and Jean Simkin, his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Sam and Leah Rosenberg, Max Rosenberg, Becky and Harry Rosenberg, and Becky and Irv Ruvinsky, and his daughter-in-law Kathryn Simkin.
He is survived and will forever be missed by his dear children, Gary , Bernie (Carey) and Murray, his ten grandchildren, Jennifer (Mathew) Kostrinsky, Jory (Joelly) Simkin, Farrah (Ryan) O’Colman, Adam Simkin, Sam (Rachel) Simkin, Ryan (Alli) Simkin, Gayl (Jacob) Szmuilowicz, Erin (Josh) Allen, Jordan (Sarah) Simkin, Carli (Jason) Kirkorsky, and fifteen great-grandchildren, Hank and David Kostrinsky, Zane, Emmett, Shae and Mattea Simkin, Jonah, Penina and Vered Simkin, Brady, Finley, Cody and Kyla Simkin, and Joey and Lulu Simkin, his brother-in law and sisters-in law, Mickey and Pearl Rosenberg, Annette Rosenberg, and Myna Simkin, and his many nieces and nephews in the Simkin and Rosenberg families.
The funeral was conducted at Rosh Pina Memorial Park in Winnipeg on July 27th, 2020. Pallbearers were Mickey Rosenberg, Joel Dudeck, Simon Simkin, Jory Simkin, Zane Simkin, and Emmett Simkin. Honorary Pallbearers were Mickey Rosenberg, Jerry Cohen, Martin Erlichman, and Frank Lavitt.
Abe’s vitality and exceptional abilities will be missed throughout the Winnipeg, Palm Springs and San Diego communities. He served his communities as a lawyer, businessman, community builder, and philanthropist. His business interests were extensive and varied and included housing construction and land development, nursing homes, pre-school day-care facilities, book printing, and financial, transportation, automotive, health care and communication services and support. His contributions to the Jewish community in Winnipeg and abroad have been honored by many. Abe’s philanthropic activities extended to local, national, and Israeli charities. He was a director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Manitoba Theatre Center, and the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews.
Abe’s greatest joy in life was family and friends. He was a devoted husband to his wife Fan for 63 years, and a remarkably loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and father figure to an extended family.
He selflessly devoted himself to helping many people and genuinely cared for their well-being. His enthusiasm knew no bounds and he was an inspiration to all who knew him. His passions were family, music, politics, philanthropy and the law.
He is loved and will be remembered always by his family and friends for his tireless energy, his good humour, his generosity, his upbeat personality, his modesty, and for the care and kindness he showed to everyone. The family is forever grateful to have had him in our lives. Through his unconditional love, and irresistible spirit he became a wonderful role model to all his friends and family and was admired and respected by everyone who met him. His loving presence will endure in the hearts of his family and friends forever.
The family thanks Sergio Ong and his family for their care and support. Donations may be made to the Jewish Educational Trust Fund – Abe & Fan Simkin, at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, or the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/
Obituaries
MARC AARON COHEN
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marc Aaron Cohen on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with cancer.
Survived by his parents Lawrence and Dolly (Reesa) Cohen, sister Michelle (Ben) Levich, nephew Seth Levich, auntie Deanna Cohen, uncle Sherv Sharagge, and many cousins.
Marc was in love with his career. He was passionate about trucking and was good at it, wearing several hats during his career. He was a dispatcher, a long haul and local trucker, and an instructor to new truckers, while working for several trucking companies including Quick Transfer, Big Freight, and Gershman Transport. Marc received numerous awards and recognitions during his career including the Elite Award for Excellence in Performance in 2014 and 2015 from Big Freight. His commitment to the trucking industry led him to be chosen for the Industry Excellence Award in 2015 from the Manitoba Trucking Association.
Marc’s second love was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being on his motorcycle brought him so much joy. He loved playing, watching and coaching football. He was active in the Nomad Football Club. Being outdoors in any kind of weather was his favorite place to be.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, Health Science Center, and St Boniface Hospital. We are grateful for the compassionate care they provided Marc.
Donations in Marc’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation. 204-787-4143.