Obituaries
ARTHUR SIDNEY GILLMAN born January 28, 1934 – died March 30, 2019
Arthur was the eldest son of Maurice and Ida Gillman; brother of Alec Gillman and Thomas Harold Gillman, who predeceased Arthur and Alec.
He leaves behind his wife of 60 years Louise (Fineblit) Gillman; children Avery Gillman (Winnipeg), and Susan Kayesar (husband Tal, Kfar Warburg, Israel); and beloved grandchildren Eitan, Shaked, Hadassah and Ilan Kayesar.
Arthur was loved and admired by many relatives; and numerous friends across Canada, the US and Israel. He was a true Renaissance man who read widely and thought deeply about public policy, mathematics, systems analysis, music, history, philosophy, politics, education, chess, mind-body integration, economics, statistics, self improvement, Shakespeare, … “the universe and all that”.
Arthur’s great joy was sharing his insights, his wisdom and knowledge with anyone who would listen and hold a conversation about it, especially his grandchildren. “Let me send you a reference about that” was a frequent phrase. He read voluminously. When the Internet came along, it opened huge horizons of knowledge to Arthur. He was a man with no vanity, strong intellectual curiosity, and was interested in people from all walks of life and all over the world. He was always trying to repair the world’s injustices by improving the systems, not just patching up parts. His motto was: “To thine own self be true. And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.” (Shakespeare).
Arthur was very family oriented. He valued his friendships. He was a violinist and a chess player. He was a strong follower of the Feldenkrais method of mind-body integration. Arthur had many hobbies and interests, too numerous to list here. He was a strong supporter of Israel and Judaism.
After reading the Club of Rome’s Report – “The Limits to Growth”, in 1972 and Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring”, Arthur was persuaded that we humans are damaging our planet and did what he could to raise awareness. He helped to mitigate some of that environmental damage during his consultant days.
Arthur’s career path had many twists and turns. He delivered two newspapers as a boy. He became a disk jockey at a drive-in movie theatre. He was an itinerant photographer – taking photos of people at their work and selling them the pictures. Of course, he had his own darkroom and did his own developing. When Arthur dropped out of high school before completing it, he became a cook’s helper at the Bay. Eventually Arthur figured out this was not working well for him. His grandfather, Isaac Gilman, persuaded him to become a Chartered Accountant. Upon completion, Arthur worked for the tax office for a while, and then opened an independent office.
After Arthur and Louise married in 1959, Arthur enrolled at the University of Manitoba where he was able to follow his lifelong interests in Philosophy, Mathematics, Economics, and Statistics. His Master’s Degree thesis was on water resources management. After that, he taught Econometrics for a couple of years in the Faculty of Agriculture. Arthur then returned to pursue his PhD.
Before completing his doctoral thesis he was lured away to the Manitoba Civil Service to work at the Economic Development Advisory Board. Those were the glory days of the Ed Schreyer NDP government, which attracted many well educated social reform idealists from across Canada, who perceived an opportunity to improve people’s lives. They developed many new social initiatives.
Arthur started the Manitoba Bureau of Statistics which he used as a springboard to establish a number of innovative projects. Arthur was called the Father of Autopac, now MMPI.
Arthur ran a very successful trial in Dauphin to provide a Guaranteed Annual Income. Sadly, the Conservative government that succeeded the NDP closed the project down before the data were published.
When he left government, he started his own consulting company, Delphi Consultative Surveys and Research (International) Ltd. He developed his own methodology based on advanced mathematical, statistical and econometric foundations. He wrote his own computer software analytical programs for the data he collected. He did significant work for clients throughout Canada, the US and Great Britain. He did pro bono work for social organizations that were in keeping with Arthur’s values.
Many of his clients and people he met while traveling became his good friends over the years.
As Arthur’s health declined from the effects of Post Polio syndrome (he had Polio when he was seven years old) and hereditary diabetes. He traveled less but still continued his research, teaching and networking, closer to home and over the Internet.
Sadly, Arthur developed serious new health problems following surgery on April 2 this year and ended his days in the Palliative Care Unit 3 East at Riverview Health Centre, still trying to impart the importance and excitement of Fuzzy Logic and Bayes Theorem as well as the philosophical aspects of death and dying to his young doctors and nurses and his visitors. Arthur was buried June 2, 2019 at Bnay Abraham Cemetery in Winnipeg
We salute you Arthur! When you were around, life was full of wonder and interesting ideas.
Your ironic sense of humor got us through a lot of challenges.
Rest in peace.
We have so many people that we are grateful for:
Thank you to the Home Care aides who looked after Arthur with such care and kindness while he was at home, especially Rolando, Hailu and Gomeches. Thank you to the Home Care nurses, especially Ksenja, and to his Case Coordinator, BiNa.
Thank you to Arthur’s barber Sharon, and his foot care nurse Lori, who provided cheerful caring services to him at home.
Thank you to the knowledgeable doctors at Health Sciences Centre who tried to save Arthur but couldn’t.
Thank you to family and friends who have surrounded us with love and support and offerings of food, companionship, rides and other things – especially my brother Allan, sister Shirley, and friend Lynne.
Thank you to the friends living far away from Winnipeg who sent messages that I read to Arthur. Your words gave us both great pleasure. Thank you to two Toronto friends who attended Arthur’s funeral – Doug and Nathan.
Thank you to our daughter Susan who brought our grandchildren from Israel for a magical 10 day visit during which we laughed together, sang, told stories, and gave Arthur the chance do his final teaching.
Thank you to our son Avery who had his own health challenges at the same time that Arthur got sick but visited and offered support as best as he could. Thank you to friends and family who helped Avery with transportation.
Thank you to all the wonderful staff of 3 East – doctors, nurses, aides, students. You offered Arthur comfort, compassion, respect and dignity while dying. You helped us immeasurably to make the best of a bad situation. A special thanks to Dr. Robin McClure who really “grocked” Arthur.
Thank you to our new friend Kathy, who provided massages to Arthur in his last days that made him say: My body feels like air.
Thank you to Shelley at Etz Chaim Synagogue who helped us to arrange the funeral and burial; and to Rabbi Kliel Rose who conducted the funeral with great sensitivity.
If I have left someone out of the list, please know that we are grateful for your help and kindnesses.
If you wish to honor Arthur’s memory, please send donations to a fund that we have set up at the Riverview Health Centre Foundation. It will provide financial help to give alternative integrative care to patients on 3 East, the Palliative Care Unit, who could not otherwise afford it. This is comfort care beyond what basic health care offers. To donate, you may phone the Foundation at 204-478-6271 or online at www.give2rhcf.ca or mail to Riverview Health Centre Foundation, 1 Morley Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3L 9Z9
Obituaries
Clarice Yentel Shell (Marantz) May 7, 1927 – May 13, 2025

Surrounded by family, our beloved Mom and Baba said goodbye at age 98. She is survived by her son Barry, and daughters Miriam and Ruth, her daughter-in-law Dorinda Neave, grandchildren Davina and Sam (Elisha) and great grandchildren, Benjamin and Rose.
Clarice, known as “Cal” was the last of her generation to leave us. She was predeceased by her parents Joe and Razel Marantz, brothers Chip (Shirley) and Basie (Shirley) and her brothers and sisters-in-law in the Shell family, Hymie (Kay), Pauline (Sam Zinman ) and Bill (Ruth). She was also predeceased by her loving husband of 54 years, Ben Shell and her son in law, Harry Sumner.
Born in Winnipeg, Cal was a trail blazer her entire life. She had numerous volunteer and professional achievements. One of her legacies was her ground breaking research to earn her Masters degree in Social Work in 1966. This led to Cal joining the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba where she made enduring changes to the core curriculum during her 15-year career.
Alongside her enormous contributions to the community, Cal was devoted to her large extended family. This was evidenced by her attendance at the weekly zooms and every major family event including her last visit to Winnipeg at age 97 for a very special Bat Mitzvah. She was a role model, a mentor, and a confidant to many. A skilled listener, Cal had an uncanny way of engaging others. She spoke her truth, helping to make changes and get things done. Cal knew the names and relations of the entire Shell and Marantz extended families and instead of counting sheep, she would often lie there recalling every single name, in every generation, all around the world, until she fell asleep. Her commitment to staying connected will always be remembered as one of her finest gifts.
In 2015, at age 88 Cal moved to Vancouver to be closer to her immediate family members. We thank the amazing staff and her friends at Legacy Senior Living who helped make the last 10 years of mom‘s life rich and full. We would also like to thank Dr. Alex Lecky for his years of excellent care, Colleen Riley and the gifted medical team at Vancouver General Hospital, who made her comfortable in her last days.
Cal was a remarkable person who lived a remarkable life. She will be dearly missed by the many people whose lives she touched.
Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, of which she was a founding member, or the Cal Shell‘s Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba. More details about Cal’s life can be found on her Book of Life page
https://bookoflife.jewishfoundation.org/ebol-donors/clarice-cal-shell
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.
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