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Obituaries

Barry Bernstein

barry bernsteinThe life given us, by nature is short; but the memory of a well-spent life is eternal. ~Cicero~

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Barry Bernstein on May 6, 2017 at the age of 71. After a lengthy illness,
Barry passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre.
Barry was born February 11, 1946 to Anne & Harry Bernstein. He was the younger brother to Morley Bernstein & the older twin, (by 5 minutes), to Kenny Bernstein. Barry grew up in the north end of Winnipeg where he spent his childhood helping out in his father’s corner grocery store, Harry’s Grocery, (across from Luxton School).
Barry was a talented “all around athlete” who excelled at every sport, but particularly loved baseball & hockey. He played both sports at the highest youth levels of the time.
When Barry was 16 years old, he met what would be the love of his life, Marla. (Barry passed away 5 days shy of celebrating 50 years of marriage). Barry would often describe the first time he saw Marla, “She walked down the stairs at the YMHA wearing a white mini-skirt and a red sweater…she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen”.
He and Marla had two daughters, Brenlie & Hilary. Barry was a deeply devoted husband and father. Nothing gave him more pleasure and pride than watching his girls grow to be accomplished women. For most of his life Barry worked as an accountant to support his family.
Then, in his early fifties until his retirement, he and Marla worked together as “Team Marla & Barry” selling real estate. Barry was often described as a true gentleman. He had a quiet, quick wit and would often come up with unforgettable “one liners” that his children now fondly refer to as “Barryisms”. Barry was a private and complex man, but those closest to him will forever remember him as a profound thinker with a deep, sensitive soul and an enormous capacity to love.
Barry will be dearly missed by the love of his life for almost fifty years, Marla (Yager) Bernstein; his daughters Brenlie (Bernstein) Nagy & Hilary (Bernstein) Meggison; his son-in-law, Jim Nagy and grandchildren, Lauren & Cole Nagy; his mother-in-law, Edith Yager; his brothers Morley and Kenny Bernstein; and his sisters-in law and brothers in-law, Terri Bernstein, Maureen & Sheldon Tabak, Debbie & Kurt Jacob, Jerry & Cintia Yager, Libby & Billy Brodovsky-Yager, Mardy & Sarah Yager, and many beloved nieces & nephews.
A remembrance service was held on May 10, 2017 at the Saul & Claribel Simkin Center.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the dedicated, nurturing & compassionate staff at the Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre and a very special thanks to Barry’s end of life “companion”, Marcella, who lovingly cared for him like he was her own “Papa”.
Should you wish to honour Barry’s life, contributions may be made to the Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre or The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.

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Obituaries

GERALD PAUL LEVIN SEPTEMBER 10, 1958 – NOVEMBER 4, 2024

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Gerald Levin, beloved husband of Carol, on November 4, 2024. Gerald was a cherished and devoted partner, and his absence will leave a profound void in the hearts of his wife Carol, his mother Monica, his brothers Martin (Sarena), Roy (Rachel), and Jeff (Tobi), Carol’s family, and his many adoring nieces and nephews, who were always close to his heart. He was predeceased by his father Lou, whose memory he carried with him throughout his life.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Gerald grew up in a busy household with three brothers, and he was a lifelong and proud Winnipegger. The Levins were a tightknit family, and summers at their cottage at Winnipeg Beach created many lasting and cherished memories.
Gerald graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce with honours from the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Commerce in 1980. In 1985 he achieved his Chartered Accountant designation and was admitted into the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba. Gerald’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to found his own company, FPS Consultants, where he proudly dedicated his time and expertise to his numerous clients in Winnipeg as well as rural communities throughout Manitoba. Gerald’s warmth, generosity, and unshakable commitment to his clients made him a beloved figure, known for both his professional acumen and his personal kindness.
Gerald was an avid and skilled horseback rider from an early age. His love of horses would prove serendipitous in him meeting his future wife Carol, another accomplished and enthusiastic equestrian. The two forged an inseparable and loving bond through years of frequent stable visits and trail rides through the Assiniboine Forest and Birds Hill Park. Their mutual adoration for horses was surpassed only by their love for each other, and in 1995 they married. When Carol and Gerald were able to spare time away from their horses, they enjoyed trips to New York and winter get aways to Palm Springs and Florida.
Gerald introduced Carol to the sport of polo, and both became skilled players. Their shared enjoyment and dedication to the game took them to cities across Canada and the United States, and they made many lifelong friends along the way. Gerald’s involvement and support for the game extended off the polo pitch as well, as he served as the Treasurer for the Canadian Polo Association for years. His polo career spanned decades with numerous accomplishments and accolades. He was an internationally ranked player by the United States Polo Association, and he regularly played in international tournaments at both the amateur and professional levels. He was a founding member of the Royal Winnipeg Polo Club, and he helped organize and played in tournaments supporting many charitable causes.
Two highlights of Gerald’s polo career were his recognition by Sports Manitoba as a top amateur athlete from 2005 to 2009, as well as being a finalist in the Canadian Jewish Amateur Athlete of the Year Awards in 2009. Gerald’s passion for the game was unmatched, and he was always keen to share his polo knowledge, experience, and wisdom as a mentor to the younger polo players he met along the way.
Gerald’s athleticism also extended to hockey. Every season he was a regular participant in a league where he always enjoyed going to the rink and playing a game of ‘old time hockey’ alongside his competitive but also fun-loving teammates. When he had time, he loved just skating with stick and puck, at a local outdoor hockey rink with friends, and he derived hours of pleasure from this classic Winnipeg winter pastime. Gerald was not just an avid participant in sports, he was also a lifelong sports fan, and he was a regular attendee at Blue Bomber and Jets games.
Gerald’s Jewish faith was especially important to him, and he was an active member in his congregation at Adas Yeshurun Herzlia Synagogue. He observed all Jewish holidays and Carol and Gerald often hosted celebratory get-togethers at their home. Passover and Rosh Hashanah dinners were always memorable, and invitations to celebrate these holidays were especially coveted, as all family and friends were made to feel welcome and entertained at the Levin table. Gerald loved sharing his knowledge of all the traditional rituals and customs with his guests.
Gerald’s love for life, his infectious joy and humour, and his unwavering support and love for his family and friends will never be forgotten.
Funeral services have taken place, and a private unveiling of a headstone dedicated to his loving memory was held in the summer.
Donations in Gerald’s honour and memory may be made to a charity of your choice.

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Obituaries

DIANE JOYCE HARRIS APRIL 7, 1935 – SEPTEMBER 15, 2025

Diane passed away September 15, 2025, at age 90, surrounded by her children after battling cancer for the past two and a half years. She was an only child predeceased by her parents Bill and Sarah Ditlove and her husband of 54 years Leonard. She is survived by her children Mark (Sam), Billy and Roberta (Ron).
Mom was devoted to her charity work with Hadassah Wizo Organization. She was on National Council and travelled across Canada and to Israel.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday September 17, 2025, graveside at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Ron Corby, Carrie Fingold, Lewis Stern, Cole Birks, David Stern and Richard Altman. Honorary Pallbearers were her niece Marsha Dashefsky and best friend of over 50 years, Myrna Charach. She will be dearly missed by her children, family and friends.
A special thank you to the Palliative Care at home team and Riverview Health Centre 3E Palliative Unit for their excellent care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Riverview Health Centre foundation, Palliative Care at rhcf.mb.ca or by phone 204-478-6271 ora charity of your choice.

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Obituaries

RAYA GINDIN FEBRUARY 10, 1926 – OCTOBER 2, 2025

Thanks everyone for coming to share this farewell to Raya Gindin.
Her father called her Rasheleh. I always loved the sound of that name, especially how my grandfather said the syllables: full of affection but also capturing the innocence he saw in his daughter and his concern to care for her.
The defining historical event for my mother and others of her generation was of course the Holocaust and its immediate aftermath. She was born in Poland in 1926, just as Hitler was emerging in Germany and was thirteen when WWII started – about the age of three of her great grandkids – and by the end of the war she was married with a child and living in Siberia, where the Soviet Union had relocated Jews for their protection as the Germans advanced. The family spent the next five years in refugee camps, where they had their second son, Jeff and then reached America and soon after Canada, where Barry was born.
The survivors of the Holocaust were all scarred by its horror, though their attempts at coping varied. What was common, as it is for refugees the world over today, was the loss of family and friends, the displacement from home and community, and the forced option of starting over in a strange land with a language they could not speak or understand.
Rasheleh’s anxieties were sometimes set aside but they were always nearby. That she adapted had very much to do with her joy from, and commitments to, the family. Crucial as well was the remarkable resiliency of Rasheleh and her husband, Meyer. For both, it was not enough to survive; their passion for life demanded more than simply enduring.
Rasheleh loved singing with friends around a crowded table. She enjoyed shopping – catching up after decades of poverty – and her elegance was much commented on. She especially loved dancing and more dancing. If Meyer needed to rest, she danced with others until he recuperated.
She had a radiant smile with eyes to match and a particular joy for her grandkids was seeing her watch I Love Lucy and laugh uncontrollably, tears rolling down her cheeks. When it seemed the need for air was forcing an end to her laughter, she’d stop for a second but quickly burst into another round of uncontainable laughter until sheer exhaustion forced her into a lurching stop.
Her last few years were especially hard, but she had the best care possible from Eunice and her “angels” and, in the last months, also from the nurses and doctors in the hospital, where she died peacefully.
Her loving family includes her three sons: Sam, Jeff, and Barry; our spouses Schuster (Barbara), Susan, and Eve; grandkids Jonah and Lucas, Mathew and Tony, Elia, Benji and Joey, and Roxan; and great-grandkids Ruby, Mollye, Mira, Zev, Bryn, Skyler, and Dev.
As we say goodbye to Rasheleh-Mom-Bobeh- Gramma-super-Bobeh and move on in our own lives, a part of her lives on in us in ways deep and small, and there will be loving memories to share when we gather together again down the road.
If she could reappear for a moment to say farewell for herself, her predictable counsel – familiar to everyone in the family – would be to “Dress warmly and drive carefully”.

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