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
ARTHUR WORTZMAN
Surrounded by his family Arthur Wortzman, lovingly known as Art, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2025.
He is survived by his wife Adele Wortzman; his three children, Anita Wortzman (Ron Yurman), Susan Wortzman (Glenn Smith), Jason Wortzman (Teresa Rogers); his grandchildren, Lexie (Jacob), Haley, Liam, Hannah and Jack and his great-grandchildren, Shiloh and River.
Born in Winnipeg in 1929, Art grew up in the vibrant West End of Winnipeg as the youngest of three children. His upbringing was unique for the time, with his parents, Harry and Tillie, working together in their ladies’ clothing stores in Winnipeg and Vancouver. This partnership allowed for a bustling household, filled with the laughter of friends and family.
Art shared a close bond with his siblings, George and Eleanor, and their respective spouses Glory and Howie(Silver), as well as with his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Allan and Marsha Maslove. Art inherited many wonderful traits from his parents: from his father, he learned the importance of love and devotion to one’s spouse, and from his mother, he gained a sense of humor, fun, and adventure.
Art’s love for his wife was evident throughout their 66 years of marriage. Adele reciprocated his love and care, looking after him at home and then ensuring he was never alone during his stays at Shaftesbury and Victoria Hospital.
Art’s legacy extends beyond his family. He was a talented athlete, playing football for Gordon Bell High School and U of M Law. Art pursued law at the University of Manitoba and practiced law for over 50 years, known for his ethics, practicality, and dedication. Art’s sense of humor, wisdom, and kindness were well-known. He was a mentor and friend to many, offering wise counsel and support to many clients, friends and other lawyers.
Art’s adventurous spirit was evident throughout his life in Winnipeg, at Falcon Lake and travels to Mexico and Israel. He introduced his family to many activities, from snowmobiling to cross-country skiing, and completed a marathon at 52 years old. He was always game for fun, whether it was Lake Olympics or a historic bike ride on Pipeline Road. In his later years, Art continued to embrace new experiences, from ziplining across the Jordan River to making bread with his grandchildren. He was a talented craftsman, creating Adirondack chairs and vegetable gardens at the lake. Art’s love for learning inspired his family. His grandchildren, Lexie, Haley, Liam, Hannah, and Jack, shared countless adventures and cherished moments with their Zaida.
He was a talented card player, a voracious reader, and a lover of family dinners and games. Art’s legacy lives on in his children, Anita, Susan and Jason who have followed in his footsteps in various ways.
A special thank you to Juhn and Gerlie and several other dedicated caregivers who supported him like a family member. Thank you also to the wonderful staff at the Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence and the Victoria Hospital.
Services were held on December 23, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Please consider a donation to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, Art and Adele Wortzman Fund.
Art’s life was a testament to the values of love, family, friendship, and adventure. His legacy will continue to inspire those who knew him.
Art, Dad and Zaida – you will be deeply missed, but your spirit will live on in each of us.
Obituaries
CARY RUBENFELD
Cary Rubenfeld, beloved husband, father, zaida, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend, passed away on December 4, 2025, at the age of 72. Cary lived a life defined by kindness, curiousity, humility, and a deep commitment to the people and communities he loved.
Above all, Cary was a family man. He was raised in a family shaped by Jewish resilience and history. He was born to George and Sally Rubenfeld in 1953. His father George and two aunts, Rachel and Regine, survived the Holocaust in France, and the legacy of that survival grounded Cary’s values throughout his life. He carried forward a strong Jewish identity through his early Judaic studies, and this continued to evolve in adulthood as he built a home alive with tradition and Jewish values.
For more than 40 years, Cary shared his life with his wife, Marion. Together they built a home, a business, and a relationship filled with warmth, humour, and unwavering devotion. They worked side by side in their wholesale garden supply and later an import business, travelled the world together, and supported one another with tenderness and resilience. Marion was Cary’s partner in every sense, and their devotion to each other was a foundation for the entire family.
As a father to Michael (Magda) and Sara (Rob), Cary was a steady and loving presence—gentle, attentive, and always remaining connected to their worlds. His kindness shaped them in ways that they will carry forward and aspire to in their lives. Later in life, he delighted in spending time with his grandchildren, Emry, Kian and Lev.
Cary was the cherished brother of Perry Rubenfeld, with whom he shared a lifelong bond of family, memory, and affection. Cary and Perry tragically lost their mother at a young age. Their close-knit family continued to support and raise them.
Professionally, Cary was known for his integrity. He believed that success in business meant acting fairly, ethically and with compassion. He built strong relationships across North America and Asia, earning respect not only for his expertise, but for his genuine interest in others. He was thoughtful, patient, and guided by a sense of moral clarity.
Outside of business, Cary cultivated passions that brought him community and purpose. His involvement in amateur radio—an interest that reawakened later in life—connected him to people around the world. A lifelong learner, he attended international conventions, helped newcomers enter the hobby, and even earned recognition as Canadian Amateur Radio Operator of the Year. Friends from across continents described him as humble, generous, and quietly inspiring—a man who motivated others not through ego, but through sincerity.
Cary was also a dedicated member of the Chavurat Tefilah – Talmud Torah congregation, where he served as treasurer and was instrumental in resurrecting regular Shabbat services in the synagogue after COVID. His love of Judaism deepened through study, particularly with a small Torah group he helped create—an intimate circle of friends who learned together each week, even across cities and time zones. His thirst for knowledge, especially when shared with others, was one of his defining traits.
Cary faced significant health challenges with remarkable courage. Diabetes, kidney disease, and heart complications never dimmed his optimism. He continued to travel, make plans, and pursue learning. He arranged dialysis across Canada, the United States, and even Poland so he could keep living life fully and on his own terms.
For those who wish to make a charitable donation in Cary’s memory, please consider providing a cheque to the Chavurat Tefilah – Talmud Torah Synagogue (459 Hartford Ave., Wpg, MB) or an e-transfer to chavuratt@gmail.com or donating to the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
Obituaries
NELLIE (NELL) LABOVITCH
Nellie (Nell) Labovitch passed away peacefully in her home on December 1, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. Our hearts are grateful for the 103 years she blessed our lives.
Nell was predeceased by her beloved husband Morris of 56 years (2000), her eldest daughter Shelley Nimchonok (2019) and son-in-law Robert (Bob) Walker (2015). Nell will forever be missed by her children Connie (Darrel) Donen, Joy Walker (Bob), Sharon Elston, and son-in-law Meyer Nimchonok (Shelley) and her grandchildren Kevin (Mony) Nimchonok, Shauna (Aaron) Lindzon, Maury Donen (Jennifer Luong), Jason Donen (Kristin Macaraeg), Erin Walker, Adam (Samantha) Walker, Sean Walker (Lindsey Markusson), Chad (Sawako) Elston, Cori (Tonio) Ettienne and her great-grandchildren Jay, Eli, Jordan, Emily, Max, Carmen, Matteo, Logan, Dylan, Caleb, Hana, Jun, Prism and Onyx and her brothers, Sam (predeceased Rita) Bebchuk, Dr. William (Elaine) Bebchuk and a multitude of nieces and nephews.
Nell was predeceased by her parents, Ettie and Joseph Bebchuk, her sisters, Marian Margolis (Joe Berz), Bessie (Mitchell) Schachter and parents- in-law, Rachel, and Hymie Labovitch; brothers and sisters inlaw, Sam Labovitch, Dr. Bill Lyons, Jack Lyons; Brina Bressler, Lil Seigel, Rose Weiner, and Sylvia Fritz.
Nell and Morris were married within a short courtship of only three weeks as they knew immediately that they were for each other. The connection that they had was undeniable. They were renowned for their shared love of dancing and moving together with extraordinary elegance and effortless skill. They met life’s challenges with a united front, setting a beautiful example of their lifelong commitment.
Nell took pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and always made each one of them feel special. She enjoyed pampering everyone with their favourite dishes. Her life was filled with an abundance of family, laughter, love, and optimism.
Even in her later years Nell remained vigorous and active, powerwalking at her gym into her late 90’s. One had to stand in line for a chance to be one of her walking partners, even when she was walking with a walker. Her nightly ritual was to say special prayers not only for everyone who needed praying for, but also for those who were close to her. On special occasions it was a treat to receive her amazing poetry. Nell retained a remarkably keen mind and enjoyed tackling word games well into her 90’s.
In her later years, she was surrounded by a phenomenal team of caregivers who considered her as close as a grandmother. With special gratitude to Ruth, and Amandeep who were by her side until the end. With thanks also to Jenna and The Right At Home staff. She was truly an extraordinary soul, matriarch, and an inspiration to us all.
Nell’s joyful spirit is heartfelt and will forever be with us. We will all live by three words that she recited endlessly to everyone that she met – “Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy.”
Funeral Services were held on December 3, 2025, at a private graveside ceremony for immediate family members. Thank you to the Pallbearers: Maury Donen, Jason Donen, Adam Walker, Erin Walker, Chad Elston, and Tonio Ettienne.
If desired, donations may be made to a charity of your choice or plant a tree in Nell’s memory.