Obituaries
BEVERLEY MANISHEN
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Beverley Manishen at the great age of 95 on May 10, 2022 at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg.
She will be deeply missed by her sons James (Joy), Jeffrey (Joanne Anderson) and Dr. Wayne (Carol) Manishen, grandchildren Sarah, Ira, Aaron, Jaclyn and Joshua Manishen plus the many in Beverley’s extended family and friends. Shortly before her passing, Beverley was living in her own Tuxedo house, independent as always, shopping, cooking, reading her beloved New York Times, staying in touch with friends and observing the world with probing insight she never lost.
Beverley was born on January 4, 1927, the only child of Jack and Mary Stein. She grew up in the south end of Winnipeg, graduating from Kelvin High School and then attending the University of Manitoba. Beverley was an excellent pianist and Manitoba Music Festival winner. Adjudicator Arthur Benjamin – the famous composer/pianist and piano teacher of composer Benjamin Britten – was so taken with her playing, he offered to arrange a scholarship for her to study with him at London’s Royal College of Music. But that wasn’t something young Jewish Winnipeg girls did at that time. In keeping with that, a few years later a match made in heaven took place.
Picture a very dashing, charismatic, creative young man with a warm smile and playful humour. Now picture a sweet young thing, petite and pretty with an infectious laugh and eyes that sparkle. It is easy to see that on a warm summer’s night in Winnipeg Beach these two might spot each other and begin a love and friendship that would last a lifetime.
This was Melvin Manishen and Beverley Stein. They were married on July 2, 1947 and enjoyed almost 60 years together before Melvin passed away on November 10, 2006. Beverley mourned his loss every day for the rest of her life.
Beverley’s devotion to family-and-friends (notice the hyphen, because friends became family) was extraordinary. She was always there for everyone.
She understood the rough and tumble world of business and her support for Melvin’s career was unwavering. She knew that business owners needed to savor success in order to be motivated, and Beverley insisted Melvin feel that way while he worked so hard to support the family. Many business friends and rewards followed, both here and in Palm Springs where so many unforgettable winter moments were spent at the family retreat.
She was totally behind all the efforts of her three active sons, always there to stimulate their diverse interests as they moved forward with their lives. Her grandchildren were precious to her.
And then there were the friends, or better put, friends for life who adored Beverley. That was what she sincerely cultivated.
Beverley loved them all and went out of her way to know their deepest interests so that she could elevate their lives through a gesture, a gift – anything that would make them feel special and valued, aided by her incredible memory of their smallest details. Never did she attend a gathering without a call the next day to tell the host how much she enjoyed the event.
While fishing, golf, music and travel were passions that Beverley and Mel shared, community involvement and philanthropy have been central themes in the Manishen home. Beverley was a past president of the Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood as well as past president of the Israeli Chapter of Hadassah. No charity went unanswered.
Beverley’s funeral was held Friday May 13 at the Shaarey Zedek Memorial Park, Rabbi Anibal Mass officiating. Pallbearers were James, Joy, Jeffrey and Dr. Wayne Manishen, George Bricker and Dr. Neal Lerner. Special recognition must go to Wayne, whose extraordinary care for Beverley’s needs permitted her comfort and security over many months.
Donations in Beverley’s memory may be made to Congregation Shaarey Zedek, L’Dor Va Dor Capital Campaign at https://szfuture.ca or by calling 204-452-3711.
Obituaries
Dr. VELIMIR KON B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Sc., Ph.D. September 18, 1950-June 27, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Velimir Kon, or Shlomo, beloved husband of Branka and father of Deborah and Lea. Velimir was an accomplished teacher and academic, and he was renowned for his intellectualism, humility and humanity.
A gentle soul who was always sociable and who genuinely loved people, Velimir was equally at home in the university classroom as a professor and as a secondary school Biology, Chemistry and Math teacher in Northern Ontario (Big Trout Lake) and Manitoba (God’s River, Berens River). Velimir made a difference to many First Nations students throughout a career that spanned decades. He was dedicated to his students, colleagues and family. An adept and talented pianist, Velimir enjoyed the arts and of course Jewish humour. He was an avid shul goer and supporter of Israel and enjoyed his duties in shul as a Kohayn. Velimir was a man of faith who was able to fuse his love of science and Judaism.
Born in Croatia, Europe (the former Yugoslavia) to Shoah survivors Rose (Rochel, ne Lederer) and Arnold Kon (Ariel), Velimir immigrated to Canada with his wife and girls in 1988, making many personal sacrifices along the way to ensure a peaceful and safe life for his family. Adaptability and optimism characterized Velimir. Known for his heart of gold, Velimir touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. A love of Jewish values, family values and life-long learning and education characterized Velimir. With his charming, outgoing and friendly personality, Velimir welcomed everyone into his life and into our home.
His kindness, humour, generosity and goodness will be deeply missed by his family and friends in Winnipeg, Victoria, B.C., Guelph, ON, Osijek, Croatia, Belgrade, Serbia, Los Angeles and Boston, U.S.A., and Israel, Jerusalem, Haifa and Karmiel. Baruch Dayan Haemet.
A traditional funeral was held on June 30, 2025 at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can still be made to Chabad Lubavitch of Winnipeg, B’nai Brith or the JNF.
Velimir will be forever missed and cherished by Branka, Deborah and Lea.
Obituaries
ELAINE BEVERLEY KAPLAN
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our sister and aunt, Elaine Kaplan. She died on June 24, just a month shy of her 69th birthday.
She was diagnosed with lung cancer 15 months ago, and was given about six months to live, which she was able to exceed with great courage and determination.
Elaine was predeceased by our father Phil Kaplan and mother Bess Kaplan. She is survived by her brothers Gerry (Nancy Hughes), Allan (Rennie) and Sheldon (Mona), along with her nieces and nephews.
Elaine was able to remain at home up until a few days prior to her passing at the St. Boniface Hospital, which was her wish. She was employed by the Canada Revenue Agency for the majority of her career. She loved nature and was devoted to feeding the neighbourhood squirrels and birds. She also adopted and cared for many rescue rabbits over the years. Her family was important to her, and she loved attending family weddings and barbecues.
Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to a pet rescue of your choice.
Obituaries
ALAN KLUNER
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Alan Kluner passed away on July 11, 2025 at the young age of 66. Alan had a very good life despite some ongoing health challenges he met head on for the majority of his life. He loved family and was a very kind and loving son, brother and uncle.
Born in Winnipeg, Alan developed a small but close circle of friends he maintained for many years. His passions were following his sports teams (Jets, Vikings, Bombers) and attending numerous rock concerts.
Alan is survived by his oldest brother Martin (Reesa), his sister-in-law Hanna, his four nephews and nieces Mickey (Stephanie), Corey (Sean), Zev (Kristen), Elana (Danny), and his great-nephews and great-nieces Mason, Lucy, Nora, Remy and Enzo.
He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Phyllis, brother Kerry, and uncle Alvin Mantell.
Alan’s funeral service was graveside at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on Tuesday July 15, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were: Martin Kluner, Mickey Kluner, Corey Kluner, Elana Kluner, Henry Goldfeld, and Alan Levine. Honorary pallbearer was Albert Yanofsky.
For those who wish, donations in Alan’s memory may be made to Diabetes Canada or the charity of your choice.