Obituaries
ARNOLD AUBREY PORTIGAL
It is with great sadness the Portigal Family announces the passing, on January 4, 2015, of Arnold Aubrey Portigal, 86 years old.
Arnold was born on March 9, 1928 in Winnipeg, Canada, the only child of Samuel and Genevieve Portigal. He was married for 57 years to his wife Elodee, whom he met in 1958 on a blind date in Los Angeles, California and married three months later. They had two children, Blair Portigal and Leslie Portigal Folz. Leslie sadly passed several years ago following her battle with ovarian cancer.
Arnold was a self-educated man, a man of purpose, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, humanitarian, truly a Renaissance man. In 1963 he sold his commercial finance organization to Walter E Heller International and became President of Walter E Heller Canada, Ltd. During the following five years he developed Heller’s Consumer Finance Facilities throughout Canada. He then left the Heller Organization to again establish his own commercial real estate private equity firm.
Arnold was a passionate advocate of the Jewish community in both Winnipeg and Phoenix and for the State of Israel. He was Deputy Director of the United Israel Appeal, sitting on boards in both Israel and and Canada. He initiated and chaired Project Canada whose sole purpose was to provide immigrant housing to answer the acute need of Russian Jews fleeing to Israel. In 1974 he was awarded by the United Israel Appeal and State of Israel Bonds, receiving the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanity Award. He travelled extensively to Israel during the 1960’s and 1970’s to meet with the likes of Golda Meir, Moshe Dayan and David Ben-Gurion.
In both Canada and The United States, Arnold was deeply involved in community activities which included many political appointments. In Winnipeg he was appointed to the Board of Victoria General Hospital and became Chairman of the Board. During his eight year tenure he completed ground breaking improvements at the hospital. Arnold was then appointed by the Premier of Manitoba and MInister of Health to assume the Post of Chairman of the Manitoba Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation as well as the Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology. During his long tenure he negotiated clinical trials of drugs developed by the institute with major US pharmaceutical companies.
When Arnold moved full time to Phoenix, Arizona, he was appointed National Treasurer of the American Cancer Foundation until early 2002 when he decided to step down after determining he was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
We are reminded of Dylan Thomas’s words, “Do not go gently into that good night, rage, rage, against the dying of light…” Arnold, like these words, carried with him the quality of spirit and soul that took him fighting until the very end. He will be greatly missed. HIs spirit will forever remain with us.
He is survived by his wife Elodee, son Blair and grandchildren Sydney and Alexa Portigal and Joshua Folz.
Obituaries
KEVIN PAUL STEINBERG June 1, 1967 – October 29, 2025
It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Kevin Steinberg (O’Neil) on October 29, 2025 at the age of 58 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He will be forever remembered by his mom Donna, sister Debbie (Marc), brother Jeff (Jocelyn), nieces and nephews, Josh (Dena), Zach, Samantha (Sean), Jaidyn, Jordyn, Jilliyn, Jayson and great-nephew Benny, his aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends across Winnipeg, Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Palm Springs and beyond. Kevin was predeceased by his dad Eddie and stepdad Ernest.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Kevin moved to Toronto at 19 years of age. He attended Ryerson Theatre School and quickly earned his Equity and ACTRA cards. After winning the U.S. Green Card Lottery he moved to Los Angeles. Within a couple of years he appeared on Seinfeld, Frasier, Married with Children and more. He later worked behind the scenes in TV and film. Kevin also had a great job in catering and told fun stories of the famous people he worked for in L.A.
In 2006 Kevin returned home to Winnipeg, where he continued acting and design. He later moved back to Toronto to join a design firm. It was there he was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, a rare head and neck cancer. Despite his diagnosis, Kevin lived fully – auditioning, writing and travelling. During COVID he launched a podcast – Everyday Heroes. He also shared cooking videos, learned to sketch and kept creating. Kevin thrived, inspiring everyone around him with his resilience, humour and zest for life. Kevin always lived “in the moment”, he embraced life as it came. He will be remembered for his creativity, humour, courage and the joy he brought to everyone around him.
The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Hochman, CancerCare Manitoba, Lisa and the whole team at Palliative Care, Rabbi Matthew Leibl, Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and MAID.
Kevin requested that donations be made to the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation www.accrf.org
Obituaries
Howard Lorne Tennenhouse March 7, 1956 – October 16, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Howard (Howie) Lorne Tennenhouse. He passed away on October 16, 2025, after a courageous ten-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Howie fought with every ounce of strength and determination he had.
Born on March 7, 1956, Howie earned his BA from the University of Winnipeg in 1976 and his law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1979. While attending the University of Manitoba, he met his devoted partner, Susan. After dating for five years they were married on November 14, 1982. Susan and Howie supported one another throughout their life together, and she stood by his side with unwavering devotion until the very end.
Howie was the proud father of three daughters and sons-in-law, Lauren (Jesse), Ellie (Evan), and Shira (Gideon) and the adoring Zaida How, to Jack, Joey, Charlotte (Charlie), and Brandon (Bran). He is also survived by his two sisters, Judy Mahon (and her family) and Penny Tennenhouse (Bill). Howie’s family was his greatest joy and the center of his world, and to his family he was a fierce protector and the most enthusiastic supporter.
Outside of his love for family, Howie’s heart belonged in Israel. He took immense pride in seeing the love of Israel and Jewish traditions passed down from his parents to his children and grandchildren.
Howie’s funeral was held on Sunday , October 19, 2025 at the Etz Chayim Synagogue with burial at the Rosh Pina Cemetery. Thank you to Rabbi Kliel Rose and to the pallbearers Morley Hoffman, Alden Hoffman, Joey Pollock, Harvey Oman, Evan Reinblatt, and Jesse Marantz. A big thank you to the doctors at Cancer Care Manitoba who worked tirelessly to care for Howie, and the incredible team at the Riverview Palliative Ward. A special heartfelt thank you to Dr. Qamar for her devotion to Howie. Your care and kindness meant the world to the entire family.
Donations in Howie’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba or to Riverview Palliative Care Ward 3E.
Howie was a passionate, loving, and larger-than-life presence. He will always be missed and never forgotten.
Obituaries
HARRY KREEL April 9, 1927 – October 20, 2025
It is with profound sadness that the family of Harry Kreel announces his passing on October 20, 2025 at the age of 98 years. He was predeceased by his parents, Ben and Rebecca Kreel; his brothers, Isadore and Boris Kreel; and his beloved wife Myrna, to whom he was married for 68 years.
Left to mourn his passing are his daughter Eileen; his son Darrell (Nicole); and his grandson Benjamin Kreel.
Harry was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan and moved to Winnipeg in his early 20s. He spent his career in education. He was the Director of Special Education for the Winnipeg School Division, Principal of R.B. Russell Vocational School and he also taught in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba.
Our parents loved to travel, and throughout their lives they travelled extensively throughout Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Upon his retirement, he and our mother were able to spend many wonderful winters in Palm Springs, as well as many visits to New York to visit family. The highlight for them was their trip to Israel, which was something they had always wanted to do, and they did.
Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, graveside at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. We would like to express our sincerest thanks to Rabbi Carney Rose for officiating and for delivering a most beautiful and heartfelt service.
To the pallbearers, you know who you are, and we would like to thank you for being there for our father. We would also, at this time, like to thank the wonderful staff of Weinberg I at the Simkin Centre. You treated our father with the utmost kindness, respect, dignity and compassion, and for that we will be forever grateful. And last but certainly not least, to Sheryl, Tia, and Victoria Levine, to Leslie Stokoloff and Joe Lacey, we will be forever grateful for all your love and support during this most difficult time.
Should anyone so desire, donations may be made in our father’s memory to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre or CancerCare Manitoba.