Obituaries
ALLAN HARVIE WAISMAN
January 24, 1928 – December 20, 2017
Allan Harvie Waisman was born in Winnipeg, the only child of immigrants Rubin and Bessie Waisman.
He went to school in the city’s North End and took his turn behind the counter of his parents’ corner store, mostly, he later reported, to eat candy bars and read comics. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1950, and soon after married Joyce Faigie Sedletsky, after a romance that began when they noticed each other on a bus on their way to work. In 1953, he founded an architectural practice with Jack Ross and they started by designing several small rural hospitals. Waisman Ross also designed Winnipeg’s New York Life building, a landmark modernist two-storey glass and steel office structure, which is currently being restored. The firm won two silver Massey medals, one for Allan’s family cottage in Husavik, an open glass and wood structure built entirely around a large fireplace. Allan applied his original sense of design to his family homes, all of which were unusual.
In the 1960s the firm designed a unique office at 10 Donald St., and merged with another firm to become Waisman, Ross, Blankstein, Coop, Gillmore, Hanna, later changing their name to Number TEN Architects. They designed the Manitoba Theatre Centre (now a National Historic Site), and Allan was active on its board. As well, he was on the board of the Winnipeg Art Gallery and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. The Winnipeg community’s embrace of the arts, culture and design, was a wonderful environment for Allan’s formative years as a young architect. As the sixties drew to a close, he was ready to spread his wings and move west.
Allan moved to Vancouver in 1971. He had already formed a business relationship with R.C. Baxter, a prominent developer. Allan designed one of their projects, a group of three office towers on Hastings. The new Waisman Architectural Group re-purposed an old barge (known as the WAG barge) for an office and moored it in Coal Harbour. The firm became Waisman Dewar Grout Carter Architects and later Architectura. Al was known as somewhat of a maverick employer. He was extremely generous to his employees and enthusiastically shared his many new-age ideas. His firm had many noteworthy projects including the Vancouver International Airport Expansion, six pavilions for Expo 86 including the permanent BC pavilion and Whistler Town Centre. Over the years, he received many architectural awards including an Urban Development Institute Award, Governor General Award, Canadian Architect Award and the Royal Architectural Institute Award.
After retirement, Al focused on his entrepreneurial skills, becoming involved in several start-ups. He loved his morning walk through Vancouver’s downtown to his office, greeting many acquaintances and planning his day. Spending most summers exploring the coast on his boat, the Flying Jenny, he also enjoyed international travel with the family, and, never a stickler for rules, would lead them on many harrowing adventures.
In his later years, as a respected community figure, Al still radiated vitality and leadership, mentoring many young people in his profession. He was an astute collector of contemporary Canadian Art and generous patron to many organizations, including the Vancouver Playhouse, Vancouver Art Gallery, Simon Fraser University, and Britannia Mine Museum. In 2009, he endowed a fund at the University of Manitoba to support a graduate scholarship for Aboriginal students in the Faculty of Architecture.
Devoted to his family, Allan was always available for advice and support, providing educational opportunities to all. He lived a very full life, always looking for new experiences and fun. Loved and remembered by his wife Faigie (Joyce), children Sheera, Yail, Tully, Dean, (daughter-in-law TC), and grandchildren Aidan, Adlai, Kelsey, Oren, Dylan, Cameron and Brynn.
in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Manitoba, Allan Waisman Aboriginal Architecture Scholarship, 200 – 137 Innovation Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3T 6B6
Condolences can be sent to the Waisman Family at waisman2018@gmail.com
“So come, my friends, be not afraid
We are so lightly here
It is in love that we are made
In love we disappear” (Leonard Cohen)
Obituaries
LOUIS COLISH FEBRUARY 15, 1945 – APRIL 23, 2025
With great sadness, we announce the unexpected passing of Louis Colish at the Health Sciences Centre, surrounded by friends. He was predeceased by his parents, William (Bill) and Bessie, whom he deeply cherished. Loui considered his father to be his best friend and he was a devoted caregiver to his mother in her later years.
Born in Winnipeg on February 15, 1945, Louis grew up in Garden City. He had a long and fulfilling career as a Reference Librarian at the West Kildonan Library, where he assisted countless patrons with their questions. Even in retirement, people he would meet often recognized him as “the librarian”.
Louis cherished his relationships with his family and friends. Those who had the privilege of knowing him described him as incredibly friendly, one of their favourite people, and simply the nicest guy.
A lifelong learner, Louis treasured his extensive book collection, with a particular love for astronomy and the works of Carl Sagan. He delighted in sharing stories of his travels to Europe, Hawaii, Arizona, Disney World, and his most cherished destination, Israel. He also enjoyed attending his bowling league, the Rady JCC’s senior program, and the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre. He loved music from the 1940s and 50s and delighted in performing his favourite tunes in talent shows at the Rady JCC and Gwen Secter programs.
Louis was a devoted member of the Rosh Pina and Etz Chayim synagogues. Fellow congregants fondly remember his passionate and dramatic chanting of the Prayer for Peace from the bimah—a heartfelt expression of his deep hope for a peaceful world.
A graveside service was held on April 25, 2025, at Rosh Pina Memorial Park.
Louis was a kind and generous soul who will be missed but never forgotten.
Obituaries
HERB SINGER
Peacefully, with his family by his side, Herb Singer passed away on April 3, 2025.
He is survived by his daughters, Leslie (Sheppy Coodin), Marnie and Sheryl (Kevin Segall). He is also survived by grandchildren, Josh Glow (Leah), Sari Glow, Justin Segall and Hayden Segall, his brother Earl (Mimi), and sisters-in-law, Maureen Steinfeld (Leo) and Bonnie Dressler (Kenny). He was predeceased by his wife Myrna, his parents, Anne and Dave Singer and in-laws, Irma and Harry Nepon.
Herb was born on February 26, 1944, in Winnipeg and spent his early years on the family farm in Ratcliffe, Saskatchewan before the family moved into the city, eventually settling on Smithfield in the North End.
Herb attended West Kildonan Collegiate, excelling in both academics and sports. Herb and Myrna grew up between Salter and Aikins but did not attend the same high school because the back lane between Smithfield (where Herb lived) and McAdam (where Myrna lived) was the dividing marker for St. John’s and West Kildonan. They met in 1960, having been introduced by a neighbour of Myrna’s who was friends with Herb. It was love at first sight; they married in 1966 after graduating from the University of Manitoba.
Herb received his CA designation in 1972. He began his career in public practice but then switched to working as the controller of GIII Limited, which he said allowed him to spend more time with his family.
Herb and Myrna loved spending summers with their girls travelling to Detroit Lakes with other Winnipeggers. Later years found the family travelling campgrounds in Canada and the US in the trailer and finally settling in for summers at Gimli, where the family has happy memories of days at the beach and nights by the campfire.
Herb was an athlete all his life; he played basketball and football as a teenager and then played squash, tennis, racquetball and golf as an adult. Herb spent much of his retirement on the golf courses with friends and grandchildren and also loved his bowling league.
Herb and Myrna loved travelling and together explored China, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, England and Israel just to mention a few places.
Herb was an extremely social person and connected with many people over the years through golf, bowling, bridge and through winters in Palm Springs.
Herb was a supporter of community organizations over his years. He helped organize fundraising dinners for Talmud Torah when his children were students, he was umpire at his girls’ baseball games and in later years, he helped with fundraising at Congregation Etz Chayim, particularly with the yearly Golf tournament as well as the Lottery Brunch. He also donated blood well over 100 times.
His most rewarding role was that of Zaida. He loved spending time with his grandchildren whether it was attending concerts, games or marking a special occasion. He would always make sure his freezer was full of meatballs and ice cream and his cupboard was full of treats for their visits.
Herb loved watching sports on TV and rarely missed a Bomber or Jets game. He particularly enjoyed watching with his family and friends and thought himself an excellent armchair coach!
A funeral service was held at Chesed Shel Emes with burial at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on April 4, 2025.
Those who are wishing to honour Herb are encouraged to make a donation in his memory to Congregation Etz Chayim or to the charity of their choice.
Obituaries
YHETTA MIRIAM GOLDCM, OM, BA
September 3, 1929 – April 25, 2025
Yhetta passed away at home on her own terms.
As per her wishes, there will be no service.
The family would like to thank Realcare Inc, particularly Kristina, Ana, Agrima and Chantal for their compassion and expertise.
For those that would like to make a donation in her memory, please consider a gift to the Yhetta Gold Campership Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 123 Doncaster Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3N 2B4, jewishfoundation.org, or to a charity of your choice.
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