Obituaries
BEN RYKISS
It is with great sadness that the family of Ben Rykiss announce his passing, at the age of 97, on Monday, September 21, 2020.
Ben leaves to mourn his loving wife of 72 years, Fay, sons, Mark (Barb), Neil (Susan) and Les, his grandchildren, Jared, Caleigh (James), Sarah (Ira), Matthew (Yaffa), Dave (Olivia), Shaun (Amanda), Rebecca (Jeff), Marissa (Camilo), Michaela and Jaron, as well as many nieces and nephews. Ben was predeceased by his parents, Nathan and Dora Rykiss, Samuel and Clara Fink, his brothers, Max (Belle) and Hy (Adele), as well as his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Manny and Pearl Fink.
Ben was born May 25, 1923, in Winnipeg. A strong believer in education he graduated from University of Winnipeg with a bachelor of social work and then went on to gain his masters in social work from the University of British Columbia. Upon graduation he and his wife Fay returned to Winnipeg where he began his career in social work at the Deer Lodge Hospital. In 1969 he accepted the position as the Director of Social Work at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre where he essentially remained until his retirement at the age of 65. It was during this time period that he became heavily involved with the Jewish Child and Family Services, an organization very near and dear to his heart. It was there that he was able to volunteer his professional skills to best help those in need.
Ben was an athlete his entire life. From his youth through his late senior years, he played a multitude of sports including football, hockey, curling, swimming (with his famous green bathing cap), softball, downhill skiing, but he was mostly passionate about golf, fitness and tennis. He was a founding member at Bel Acres Golf and Country Club where he played for many years, until he replaced it with his true passion, tennis which he played religiously well into his 90s. To the people who knew him best, Ben was a fitness legend. He was an effortless long distance runner, and had a daily regimen of exercise that included 200 push-ups a day into his 90s.
His greatest joy however was his family. He was a fabulous grandparent and was adored by every one of his grandchildren. Zaida Ben had a special, unique relationship with each grandchild which will leave them all with lasting memories for a lifetime. That was his true legacy!
The family wishes to thank the wonderful and dedicated staff at Misericordia Hospital, Cornish 6 including Dr. Reda, David Rowe, nurses and aides – Dorothy, Amanda, Wendy, Tracy, Yves and others for doing everything they could to keep our father safe and as comfortable as possible to the very end.
A special thank you to Dr. Sheldon Permack along with his fabulous team including, Scott, Sandy and Chelsea for their unbelievable dedication to our dad’s care.
We would be remiss if we did not thank all of our family and close friends for their humbling outpouring of love, support and generosity.
Pallbearers were Mark, Neil, Les, Jared, Matthew and Jaron Rykiss. Honorary pallbearers included Shaun Rykiss, David Fink, Steven Fink, Alex Katz, Brent Rykiss, David Marantz, James Byers and Ira Lindenberg.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ben Rykiss Memorial Fund at the Jewish Child and Family Services in Winnipeg (204)477-7430, or any charity of your choice.
Dad we will always love you and miss you.
Obituaries
SOL SHLOMO TODRES
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Sol (Shlomo) Todres on October 27, 2024 in Israel. Sol was born in Winnipeg in 1934 to Sam and Bessie Todres. He was a proud North Ender who graduated from St. John’s High School and received his BA and Masters in Social Work from the University of Manitoba. He was a strong believer in the power of group work and translated those beliefs in his role as the first full-time Director of Bnai Brith Camp in Kenora. Of his many innovations, his most beloved and enduring was the development of Advanced Camp for the older campers- a source of meaningful and enduring memories for many.
In 1968 he made Aliyah and settled in Kfar Saba. He earned his doctorate in Social Work from Yeshiva University. His work career included contributions to the Ministry of Welfare and Bar Ilan University.
He is survived by his loving wife Varda, his son Allon (Ortal), his daughter Naomi of Ibiza, Spain. He leaves behind his brother Rubin (Elaine), his nephews, Jesse of Toronto, Howard of Saskatoon, his nieces Lindsay of New York, and Susan of Winnipeg, and three grandchildren.
Donations in his honour can be made to Bnai Brith Camp of Winnipeg
Obituaries
BARBARA GOSZER April 15, 1930 – October 6, 2024
It is with profound sadness along with gratitude for her long and purposeful life that we announce the passing of Barbara Goszer. Left with cherished recollections are her children Sharon (Steven Tritt), Elliott (Jennifer Schulz), her grandchildren Sam (Justine), Joseph (Shaun), Nicholas, Sarah, Jack and Max, and her great-grandchildren Carson and Callie. She also leaves to mourn her passing nieces Hilda (Len), Debbie (Jack), Libby (Doug) and their families who loved their “Aunty” dearly. She was predeceased by “the love of her life”, Adam, to whom she was married for almost 60 years and by a daughter, Yonah.
Barbara was born in Lwow, Poland where she often said she had an idyllic childhood until 9 years of age, when the Second World War and the Holocaust started. She was the sole survivor of her family, having been hidden by a courageous woman whom she had honoured as The Righteous Among the Nations and whose descendants sought her out in 2013, forming a warm connection over the past decade.
Barbara was a petite but strong, opinionated, principled woman with an extraordinary sense of social justice, a remarkable work ethic, and the deepest of loyalty. She lived with intention. As a living witness to a time in history when inhumanity was at its height, she spent decades dedicated to educating school aged children and their teachers throughout Manitoba and other parts of Canada about the dangers of discrimination and intolerance of diversity. She advocated standing up for others and taking action despite fear. She also encouraged appreciation for freedom and having a roof over one’s head. Her legacy will inspire her family members as well as generations of children to make a difference in bettering the world we live in. She dreamed of a world free of hatred and of a bright future.
Thank you to Dr. Sheila Domke, her primary care physician, to the entire health care team on 4 North at Grace Hospital, and to her many caregivers in the past couple of years who treated her with the utmost of dignity and respect.
Funeral services were held graveside at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on October 8, 2024. Those wishing to honour her memory can do so by making a donation to the “Barbara and Adam Goszer Holocaust Education Centre Endowment Fund” at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Obituaries
BARBARA RUTH HOCHMAN June 7, 1952 – September 16, 2024
t is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Barbara Hochman on Monday, September 16, 2024. Barbara was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the first child born to Clarice and Jack Rubin. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Danny, mother Clarice, sister Jackie (Akman), brother Ron (Rubin), brother-in-law Mickey Hochman (Dorine), nephew Jared Akman (Leanne), niece Jamie Berman (Skyler) and great-nieces and nephew, Lowan, Julie, Shea and Hannah. Barb was predeceased by her father Jack Rubin and brother-in-law Richard Akman. Barbara grew up in River Heights, attending Grant Park High School, then continued her studies at the University of Manitoba. On her first day of university she met Danny and they were married two years later. Barbara began working as a secretary at the law firm Aikins, MacAulay and Thorvaldson, and then advanced to become a corporate and commercial paralegal. She returned to law school while working at AM&T, and eventually became a partner at the firm. Barbara excelled at everything she put her mind to. She was beautiful, stylish and fiercely intelligent. Barb courageously fought her first battle with cancer over 30 years ago. Since then she enjoyed life to the fullest. Barb was a loving and devoted wife, an amazing sister and an extremely generous aunt and great-aunt. She and Danny moved from Winnipeg to Kelowna 15 years ago where they escaped Winnipeg winters and saw their golf games flourish. Barbara will be greatly missed. Funeral services were held to celebrate Barbara’s life on September 20, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jared Akman, Jamie Berman, Skyler Berman, Brent Knazan, David Rubin and Danny Rubin.
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