Obituaries
DAVID POLLOCK February 2, 1916 – August 12, 2019
With sadness we announce the passing of David Pollock on August 12, 2019, at the age of 103.
David was born in Winnipeg on February 2, 1916, the son of Vitcha (Kesselman) and Kalman Pollock who arrived in Winnipeg from Kiev in 1913. He had four siblings, Tanny, Morris, Sam (Buddy) and Rose. In 1941 he married Sylvia Rayman, his wife of 52 years, with whom he had three children, Melanie, Scarlet and Daryl.
David attended Lord Selkirk, Aberdeen and St John’s High School where he was an accomplished athlete. He obtained his electrician’s license in 1936 and during the Second World War worked installing generators at the Welland Canal. After returning to Winnipeg, he became a well-known restauranteur, beginning with the Rickshaw Restaurant. Subsequently, he established the Holiday Restaurant in the Dayton Building on Portage Avenue, and then the famous Beefeater Restaurant at Osborne Square which ran from the late 1960’s to the 1990’s. David was also the founder of the Golden Door Geriatric Centre on Pembina Highway which increasingly became his major interest. After more than five decades, it still operates today as one of Winnipeg’s finest long-term care facilities.
After Sylvia’s death in 1993 David married Ruth Kaplan of Palm Springs, California, where they resided for half the year. There, in 2016, he celebrated his 100th birthday at a large party where his remarkable vibrancy was evident in his speech on that occasion and his turns on the dance floor.
In addition to Ruth, David leaves to mourn his daughters Melanie Panitch and Scarlet Pollock, and son, Daryl Pollock, his son-in-law Leo Panitch and daughter-in-law Wendy (Wyatt) Pollock. He also leaves his grandchildren Maxim and Vida, Simcha and Pendle, Zachary, Joshua Wyatt and Isabella, his great-grandchildren Ellen and Dean, and many nieces and nephews as well as Ruth’s own family.
The family wants especially to thank Sonia Baladad, Kelly Barnert-Loewen and Mira Djokic for their loving care and respect, making it possible for David to see out his life at his home in Winnipeg.
Funeral services were held at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on Thursday, August 15. Donations in David Pollock’s honour can be made to the Friends of Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Obituaries
ESTHER MINUK Dec. 27, 1932 – April 3, 2026
Esther Bat Hershel Ve Devorah
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Esther Minuk, beloved matriarch of our family. She was predeceased by her bashert, her beloved husband, Julius; her parents, Doris and Harry Golub; and her sister, Evelyn (Herbie).
Esther was a loving and proud mother, Baba, and Great-Baba to her children Yale, Rhonda (Tom), Perry (Abby), Jody, and Marla (Franklin); her grandchildren Jordan (Amy), Daniel (Allie), Allie (Jordan), Hannah, and Lily; and her great-grandchildren Julian, Aidan, and Eddie.
Known to many as `Queen Esther’, she led with kindness and integrity, always seeing the good in others. Her home was open and welcoming, filled with warmth, laughter, and love. She was sharp, compassionate, and deeply devoted to her family. We are heartbroken and forever grateful for the love and legacy she leaves behind. She will be eternally missed by her family.
Memorial donations may be made to B’nai Brith of Canada Foundation, 416-633-6224, https://bit.ly/4bRsabI or Sunnybrook Foundation, 416-480-4483, www.sunnybrook.ca/foundation
Obituaries
MILTON FREEDMAN
It is with profound sadness and much love that I announce the passing of Milton Freedman on October 30th, 2025, three months after we celebrated his 100th birthday. Milton was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Peter, his older brother Sam, and his younger brother Sid, with whom he shared a very special relationship. He is survived by his wife Joanie, his sister Ruby Donner, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a great-great nephew.
Family and friends meant everything to Milton, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. He was gentle and kind, quiet and dignified, thoughtful and wise. He gave the best advice, but only if asked.
Milton and I liked to travel, and for many years spent the winter in Palm Springs. We also travelled to Europe and England, and felt most at home in London. We reminisced endlessly about the river cruises we went on, and the amazing places we had the opportunity to visit, whether it was having dinner at a restaurant overlooking the North Sea, or attending a private concert at a palace in Vienna, or tasting Black Forest cake especially prepared for us, while we were in Germany’s Black Forest region. It all was stunning, magical, delicious. But it was the people we met along the way, who made everything even more special, and we never forgot them.
Milton was an avid reader, inhaling newspapers, magazines, and books as if they were oxygen. Remarkably, he remembered much of what he read, and it wasn’t unusual for him to quote a passage from a book that he had read years earlier, if it was relevant to a conversation. It was not to show off…that wasn’t who he was.
Milton was a runner, and for years ran ten miles, three times a week. On the days he didn’t run, he walked outdoors for two and a half hours. Eventually, he gave up running, preferring to walk seven days a week no matter the season, no matter the weather. This continued until he was well into his 80’s. And even in his 90’s Milton remained determined to walk, at first using one cane, then two, then a walker. When he was asked, how he did it, Milton simply said, “Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.” On occasion he might add, “And eventually you’ll get to where you’re going.”
Sage advice.
Milton is deeply missed, and will forever be remembered.
Obituaries
MARLI REBECCA SILVERMAN
Marli Rebecca Silverman passed away on March 11th at the age of 43 from end-stage renal disease. She lived her life with meaning, courage, and resilience, and touched everyone who knew her with her strength, warmth, and spirit.
She leaves behind her beloved daughter, Rylee, who was the light of her life; her father, Bruce; her brother, Matthew; Rylee’s father, Drake; and many family members and dear friends who will carry her memory forward with love.
Marli will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the impact she made on those around her.
May her memory be a blessing.
Donations in Marli’s memory may be made to Breakthrough T1D (breakthrought1d.ca).