Obituaries
ARTHUR MERVIN WERIER
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father Arthur Mervin Werier on August 21, 2020, at the age of 82.
He was predeceased by his parents Abe and Bessie Werier and is survived by his sister Carla, son Kyle (Wendy), daughter Stacy (Jason), niece Audrey, nephew Alan and his cherished grandchildren, Vance, Levi, Annika and Brittany.
Born in Winnipeg’s north end in 1938, dad had a wonderful, happy childhood. He often recalled fond memories from his time at Peretz school, fishing and camping trips with his dad, summers at Winnipeg Beach where he was a lifeguard, and going to the movies with his sister at the College Theatre. He played every sport from swimming to tennis, joined every club and formed many of his lifelong friendships during these early years.
In his teens, when the family moved to River Heights, dad was enrolled at Kelvin High where he continued to build strong bonds through this involvement with BBYO, AZA and many school clubs. He was President of the Toppers and while pursuing Law at the University of Manitoba, he was President of his fraternity, the Sammy’s (Sigma Alpha MU).
Dad was a perfectionist. He never started anything he didn’t intend to finish to the last minute detail. Throughout his law career, he never lost a single case, and when asked how, he said, “I didn’t take it on unless I knew I could win.” After retiring from law, he went on to work in property management for many years and ran his business with strong ethics and a kind heart. In business and life, he was tough, but he was always fair.
He taught us so much about how to be good humans. He showed us what integrity looks like, how to be a mensch and what it means to have a social conscience, how to be pragmatic, how to make good decisions, how to live without regret and, most importantly, that life is too short to be unhappy. He always said, “happiness is a choice and you can choose to be happy or you can choose to be miserable, but the only one you’re hurting is yourself.”
Dad loved music, movies, dancing, sports, waterfalls, literature, grammar, puzzles, popcorn, a good debate and his beloved Bombers. He prided himself on a flawless record of never missing a game in 60 years until he got too sick to go. He travelled the world, saw almost every musical, was a wonderful singer and was famous for his one-liners. He played tennis, racquetball, curled, bowled, was an avid golfer, and of course, a world-class table tennis player. He first played for UM from 1957-60 and then went on to play competitively, capturing numerous Canadian and international titles.
Heavily involved in developing table tennis in Manitoba, Dad grew the local association to over 45 teams, making it the largest league in North America at the time. He developed two Canadian Junior Champions, was a coach, trainer and official at the 1967 Paraplegic Pan Am Games and 1971 Canada Winter Games. He participated in four worlds and three Commonwealth Championships. He served on the Manitoba Table Tennis Association (MTTA) executive for 22 years, ten of them as President, and was Vice-President of the CTTA for a decade. Internationally, he was Vice-President of the International Table Tennis Federation and on the executive of the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships. One of the founders of the Manitoba Sports Federation, he was the Chair from 1973-75 and in 2017 was inducted into the MB Sports Hall of Fame.
Competitive as he was at sports, Dad was the complete opposite in life. He didn’t approach life to win or compete. He valued relationships over things and chose to put his energy into people over possessions. He valued truth, honesty and the human connection.
He was never sick a day in his life until he was struck ten years ago with one life-threatening illness after the other. He fought a courageous battle and faced every day with dignity, strength and grace.
The last month was harrowing. As happens with any terminal illness, one vacillates between hoping for the suffering to end and negotiating with god for a recovery. But every minute; every second with him, whether he knew we were there or not, was priceless. He wasn’t just our father, he was our heart, the rock that we stood on, our compass through life, our advisor, confidant and our guiding light. He was deeply loved, and he will be deeply missed.
As his sister Carla said at his funeral, he is now in heaven with his parents, catching them up on the news of the last fifty years and he hasn’t stopped talking since he got there.
The family thanks his nurses Kate, Jean, Jamie and the doctors on A3 at HSC. A very special thank you to his amazing caregivers Jonny and Hailu who gave him love, strength and respect.
Donations can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba or the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Obituaries
AGNES FUNK (nee POLLAK) August 12, 1927 – February 18, 2026
Agnes (Anyu) peacefully passed away at the age of 98. Predeceased by her husband Fred and son George, she is survived by her daughter Kathy Shefrin, grandsons, Mark Shefrin (Laurie) and Allan Shefrin (Stephanie) and her great-grandchildren, Abby, Seth, Livia and Frankie.
Born and raised in Hungary, Agnes – known to many as Agi – was a survivor. During the Second World War, her parents made the difficult choice to hide her with righteous neighbours, thus saving her life during the Holocaust. In post war Budapest, she met the love of her life Fred. Their new life took an abrupt turn when communism took over Hungary. In 1956, with nothing, Fred, Agi, Kathy and George moved to Winnipeg to join family.
Initially, life in Winnipeg was not easy, but they found safety, community and opportunity. Their greatest joy was time spent with their children and grandchildren. They loved to travel, especially to Hawaii. Agi had a dry sense of humour infused with a Hungarian accent and mixed up words that made everyone around her laugh. Though she was quiet, her big blue eyes and infectious smile could fill a room.
In 2007, her beloved Fred died, followed by her adored son George in 2016. Both times her resiliency and strength saw her though, and those qualities served her well again when she rebounded from a life-threatening infection while visiting her family in Ottawa.
Agi experienced life’s greatest joys as her four great-grandchildren arrived. She treasured them, as they did her.
The family expresses their utmost thanks to Agi’s devoted companion, Robin Davis for her love and care for Agi over the last four years. Special thanks to the Weinberg 3 team at the Simkin Centre.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fred and Agnes Funk Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or the charity of your choice to honour her remarkable life.
Obituaries
LOUIS CHOCHINOV
It is with profound sorrow that we share with you the passing of Louis (Label) Chochinov. On September 12, 2025, just 3 days past his 98th birthday, Lou passed with family by his side. He will be forever cherished by his children Bruce and Sheila (Toronto), Aydel (Adrian) and Laurence (Saskatoon), his loving grandchildren Allen-Vikram (Audrey), Kiran (Morgana), Lexi (Sean), and Gabi. He also leaves to mourn many nephews, nieces, friends and neighbours. Lou was predeceased by parents Jacob and Tauba, his seven siblings, and the love of his life of over 60 years Gertie (2012).
Born in 1927, the youngest of 8 children, Lou grew up on his family’s dairy farm. Lou attended Centennial High School where he enjoyed running track as well as theatre. In 1947 Lou won the Provincial Track Meet and in the same year had the starring role in his school’s production of the Mikado.
Lou was an important figure in his community, running a number of businesses including North End Service, Minit Car Wash, and Western Messenger. He was an avid bridge and cribbage player and was a fixture playing every Tuesday at the Gwen Secter. He had a true passion for gardening and made a real impact playing baseball in the 65+ weekly league at Kildonan Park. In recent years he could also be found every Friday enjoying lunch and the company of close friends at Boston Pizza. Most of all he will be remembered as a most kind, honest, and generous person whose positive attitude warmed the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Funeral services were held September 15, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue with burial at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bruce Chochinov, Laurence Givelichian, Allen-Vikram Chochinov, Kiran Chochinov, Gabi Givelichian, and Sean Kelly. Honorary Pallbearers were Harvey Zabenskie, Ben Friedman, and Jeff Greggain.
The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to all of the people who supported Dad (Zaza/Zaida) including many well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thank you to Lori and the wonderful staff at River Ridge Residence where Dad resided prior to his passing. The family also thanks all of Dad’s amazing neighbours who repaid his kindness and generosity with unending support and help ease his final years.
Dad will be deeply missed and
forever in our hearts.
Obituaries
LILLIAN R. MOSTOW (NEE HALPARIN) AUGUST 31, 1926 – JANUARY 18, 2026
Our beloved matriarch, Lillian Mostow, passed away peacefully at 99 years of age at the Simkin Centre, where she had received exemplary care for more than six years.
Lillian was quite the character. She said what she meant, without filters; she was strong, opinionated, and fiercely protective of those she loved. You always knew exactly where you stood with her.
The youngest of five, Lillian grew up on Dufferin Ave. in north-end Winnipeg, next door to her father’s sweater factory, Standard Knitting. Clever and artistic, she studied interior design at the University of Manitoba before marrying Harold Mostow in 1947. They had a wonderful life together. They loved to throw parties for their family and friends at their home on Brock St. and Lillian’s Sunday pancake brunch was a cherished tradition. To escape Winnipeg’s brutal winters, they vacationed first in Mexico and later in Maui, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary as a joint simcha with the marriage of her daughter, Morri Mostow, to Douglas Long. After their children left home, Lillian accompanied Harold on his business trips to Asia, where she bought beads and semi-precious stones for the necklaces she designed for her home-based business, My Place. In 2005, two years after being widowed, she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Gabriola Island, BC, where they happily shared a home for 14 years. Despite being a city girl all her life, she adapted seamlessly to country living. She soon had bridge partners and friends and began volunteering. Fiercely independent, she drove around the island in her red PT Cruiser, going to the library, attending events and taking the ferry to Nanaimo’s aquatic centre to swim a few times a week.
In 2019, failing mobility and cognition necessitated a move back to Winnipeg, to the Simkin Centre, where she spent her final years. At 99, she was still going to concerts, synagogue services and exercise classes.
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Moses/Moishe and Clara/Chaika Halparin, her siblings, William/Bill Halparin, Norman Halparin, Archie Halparin and Freda Fox, and by Harold Mostow, her husband of 56 years. She is mourned by her children, Morri Mostow (Douglas Long), Michael Mostow and Sydney Mostow; by her grandchildren, Cassandre Aras, Clotilde Aras (Nicolas Gautier), Kyle Mostow (Rachel Minuk) and Mauro Mostow Palmer; by her great-grandchildren, Emily Mostow, Léonard, Céleste and Lilas Gauthier; by her many nieces, nephews and cousins; and by all those whose lives she touched.
Grateful thanks to the extraordinary staff at the Simkin Centre who took such good care of Lillian. Also to Rabbi Carnie Rose, who officiated her funeral with great warmth and compassion at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on January 22, 2026.
Eulogies and more about Lillian’s life can be found on morrimostow.com. Donations in Lillian’s memory can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.