Obituaries
CLARA WIWIERSKI
We wish to announce the passing of Clara Wiwierski (Haya Pesia Gurvitz) on April 16, 2020.
She was born in Rovno, Poland on January 1, 1926 to Gavriel and Nehuma Gurvitz. She was the second of four children, sisters Ruchel, Dwora and brother Shlomo.
Predeceased by her parents and sister Ruchel who all perished in the Holocaust she was left with the task of caring and protecting her younger sister and brother when she herself was still an adolescent. With her great strength of character and determination she ensured that the remaining Gurvitz siblings survived the horror of the Shoah.
Near the end of the war she met Morris (Moishe) Wiwierski. In 1946 they married and immigrated to Israel along with Dwora and Shlomo settling in Haifa. In 1949 they had a son named David. In 1951 they immigrated to Canada settling in Winnipeg where Clara had family. Dwora and Shlomo remained in Israel.
In 1959 they had another son Garry.
Morris was a tailor in the garment industry in Winnipeg. Initially Clara was a homemaker. Over the years Morris and Clara saved enough money to buy a corner grocery store in the west end of Winnipeg. Clara would look after the store during the day while Morris worked at Jacob & Crowley garment manufacturers. After many years in the grocery business they sold the store in or around 1974. Morris continued with his employment at Jacob & Crowley while Clara basically retired.
In 1983 Clara and Morris attended the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington DC where they both recorded their experiences during the Holocaust.
In 1995 Morris passed away as a result of long-standing heart disease. Clara lived with her son Garry until 2010 eventually moving to the Simkin Center in 2012 due to health reasons.
She was predeceased by her sister Dwora in 2015 and her brother Shlomo in 2019.
Throughout Clara’s life she endured pain, suffering and hardship that most people will never know. Her will to live can be exemplified by the fact she survived the Holocaust having lost both parents, grandparents and a sister; she also lost a newborn baby girl in 1947; had significant medical issues in her later years having survived 2 strokes and the loss of a leg. She was a very determined and strong-willed lady who overcame many life changing obstacles living to age 94!
Clara had a unique or rare gift of attracting strangers who would become lifelong friends, from the Safeway grocery clerk, to the home care workers, to neighbors. She had this knack or flair that attracted virtual strangers to befriend her.
One of her great passions was going to Assiniboia Downs to watch and bet the races with her aunt Rose. She also loved to go the casino at the Fort Garry Hotel, seldom if ever losing. She also loved to play poker and Blackjack or 21 as it was known at the weekly card games with friends and relatives.
The family would like to thank the staff on Weinberg 3 at the Simkin Centre for their care and attention to mom’s needs especially Jane, Evelyn, Roma, “Bong” and Connie the dietician.
She is survived by her sons David and Garry, daughter in law Susan and grandchildren Jared and Shayna.
Her funeral took place on April 19, 2020 at Shaarey Zedek Cemetary with Rabbi Annibal Mass officiating.
Pallbearers were Andrew Brick, Rob Trachtenberg, David Wiwierski, Garry Wiwierski, Jared Wiwierski and Shayna Wiwierski.
She will be sadly missed!
Obituaries
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/
Obituaries
MARC AARON COHEN
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marc Aaron Cohen on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with cancer.
Survived by his parents Lawrence and Dolly (Reesa) Cohen, sister Michelle (Ben) Levich, nephew Seth Levich, auntie Deanna Cohen, uncle Sherv Sharagge, and many cousins.
Marc was in love with his career. He was passionate about trucking and was good at it, wearing several hats during his career. He was a dispatcher, a long haul and local trucker, and an instructor to new truckers, while working for several trucking companies including Quick Transfer, Big Freight, and Gershman Transport. Marc received numerous awards and recognitions during his career including the Elite Award for Excellence in Performance in 2014 and 2015 from Big Freight. His commitment to the trucking industry led him to be chosen for the Industry Excellence Award in 2015 from the Manitoba Trucking Association.
Marc’s second love was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being on his motorcycle brought him so much joy. He loved playing, watching and coaching football. He was active in the Nomad Football Club. Being outdoors in any kind of weather was his favorite place to be.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, Health Science Center, and St Boniface Hospital. We are grateful for the compassionate care they provided Marc.
Donations in Marc’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation. 204-787-4143.