Obituaries
DAVID ROSENBAUM
March 5, 1922 – November 7, 2018
It is with profound sadness we share that David Rosenbaum, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed away peacefully, after a short illness at Seven Oaks Hospital.
David was born in Pultusk, Poland. In his youth, he trained to become a Rabbi, but with WW2 having started he, his mother and his three siblings escaped into Russia, where he survived through his craft by making footwear and bartering shoes and sandals for food in Kazakhstan. After their mother, Esther died from illness, his sister Genya moved to Israel, while his brothers Harry and Jack moved to Winnipeg. While running ahead of the guns of war, he somehow ended up in the mountains of Austria, where he met his future life partner and wife, Margot. Eventually the family, including their son Harry, immigrated and settled in Winnipeg, where their daughter Ruth was born.
David worked for most of his life in the shoe manufacturing industry, where he started out as a shoe cutter at Canada West Shoes, which became the Greb Shoe Company. He later became a supervisor and manager and was instrumental in providing guidance in the development of what later became a new company. Dad valued his employees and always took the time to learn about them and their families. He strived for professional development, taking Business Administration at the University of Manitoba. David had a true love of learning which he passed onto his children.
David was community-minded, a member of B’nai B’rith, the Order of Foresters, the Freemasons, the Scottish Rite and the Khartum Shriners, where he rose to be President of the 101 Unit and a member of the Vintage Cars. He had also been appointed to the Divan of Khartum Shriners in 2012, by his son, who had been installed as the Potentate of Khartum Shriners. David was also a lifetime member of the Chevra Mishnayes Synagogue.
What was immediately apparent to all who were touched by this gentle, wise, patient, loving and unassuming man was the utter and unquestioning devotion he had for his soul mate and life partner of 75 years, Margot. Together, they built a life together that could only be described as a romantic fairytale. You rarely saw one without the other. It was magical to watch them walk hand-in hand together. To laugh together. To dance together. They had a special sparkle in their eyes that made their love for each other plain for all to see. Mom, could do no wrong and she was never, ever at fault, even if there was a doubt that she might have been. Dad was always ready to be her knight in shining armor, right to the very end, when his long sleep finally took away his shield.
As a father, David tried his best to provide for his family, shelter them and impart the strong moral ethics and menschlichkite that he lived by. He hoped that he could impart strong survivor skills to his son after what he himself experienced in the Holocaust. He worked to impart the importance of family, determination, personal strength and how we must be able to fight for justice in the world. David was so proud of Harry. He wanted to be the father that Harry could be proud of too. He enjoyed the genuine one on one conversations with Harry and the camaraderie they had as Shriners. David doted on his daughter Ruth, who was the diamond in his eyes and those eyes always shone brighter and clearer than any real stone ever could when she was in his presence. The invisible pride he emitted was unable to be measured, since she was that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and he found it when she was born. Their father-daughter connection never ever faltered and never ever waned, and death will not eradicate it. An extra-special recognition is to be extended to his son-in-law, Allan Stargardter, for all the times he placed our father’s needs ahead of his own. May the Lord bless you for your kindness.
David leaves to mourn his loving wife Margot, his son, Harry Rosenbaum (Hope) and his daughter, Ruth Stargardter (Allan). He was blessed with five wonderful and devoted grandchildren, whom he adored and was adored by, being Trisha (James), Michael (Jennifer), Geoffrey (Robi), Matthew and Shawn and was proud of his six unbelievably special great-grandchildren; Ethan, Keira, Mya, Zoey, Nathan and Syeira. He was predeceased by his older brother, Harry Rosenbaum, his sister, Genya Asher and his sister-in-law, Evie Rosenbaum. He will be missed by family in Israel, New York and California. He will forever be missed by extended family members, countless friends and everyone privileged enough to have met him and had him in their lives.
Funeral services were officiated by Al Benarroch and Cantor Gerry Daien on November 9, 2018 at Chesed Shel Emes, with pallbearers being his grandchildren Trisha, Michael, Geoffrey, Matthew, Shawn and James. Honourary Pallbearers were Cantor Gerry Daien, Allan Keisler and Marshall Kneller. Internment took place at Hebrew Sick Cemetery. If you would like to honour David’s memory, donations can be made to the Freeman Family Foundation Holocaust Education Centre located at the Asper Jewish Community Campus, the Canadian Shriners Hospital in Montreal, or a charity of your choice. Special thanks to Dr. Kristin Heinrichs, Lisa Bonds, and the staff at Prairie Trails at the Oaks, Joyce, Jonathan and Abie at Seven Oaks Hospital, 5th Floor, Unit 6, for their exceptional care and compassion, Adeena Lungen at WJCFS, Marilyn Regiec, and the staff at Gwen Sector.
Life will never be the same without him. He truly taught us all the meaning of a life well lived.
Obituaries
Clarice Yentel Shell (Marantz) May 7, 1927 – May 13, 2025
Surrounded by family, our beloved Mom and Baba said goodbye at age 98. She is survived by her son Barry, and daughters Miriam and Ruth, her daughter-in-law Dorinda Neave, grandchildren Davina and Sam (Elisha) and great grandchildren, Benjamin and Rose.
Clarice, known as “Cal” was the last of her generation to leave us. She was predeceased by her parents Joe and Razel Marantz, brothers Chip (Shirley) and Basie (Shirley) and her brothers and sisters-in-law in the Shell family, Hymie (Kay), Pauline (Sam Zinman ) and Bill (Ruth). She was also predeceased by her loving husband of 54 years, Ben Shell and her son in law, Harry Sumner.
Born in Winnipeg, Cal was a trail blazer her entire life. She had numerous volunteer and professional achievements. One of her legacies was her ground breaking research to earn her Masters degree in Social Work in 1966. This led to Cal joining the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba where she made enduring changes to the core curriculum during her 15-year career.
Alongside her enormous contributions to the community, Cal was devoted to her large extended family. This was evidenced by her attendance at the weekly zooms and every major family event including her last visit to Winnipeg at age 97 for a very special Bat Mitzvah. She was a role model, a mentor, and a confidant to many. A skilled listener, Cal had an uncanny way of engaging others. She spoke her truth, helping to make changes and get things done. Cal knew the names and relations of the entire Shell and Marantz extended families and instead of counting sheep, she would often lie there recalling every single name, in every generation, all around the world, until she fell asleep. Her commitment to staying connected will always be remembered as one of her finest gifts.
In 2015, at age 88 Cal moved to Vancouver to be closer to her immediate family members. We thank the amazing staff and her friends at Legacy Senior Living who helped make the last 10 years of mom‘s life rich and full. We would also like to thank Dr. Alex Lecky for his years of excellent care, Colleen Riley and the gifted medical team at Vancouver General Hospital, who made her comfortable in her last days.
Cal was a remarkable person who lived a remarkable life. She will be dearly missed by the many people whose lives she touched.
Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, of which she was a founding member, or the Cal Shell‘s Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba. More details about Cal’s life can be found on her Book of Life page
https://bookoflife.jewishfoundation.org/ebol-donors/clarice-cal-shell
Obituaries
LOUIS COLISH FEBRUARY 15, 1945 – APRIL 23, 2025
With great sadness, we announce the unexpected passing of Louis Colish at the Health Sciences Centre, surrounded by friends. He was predeceased by his parents, William (Bill) and Bessie, whom he deeply cherished. Loui considered his father to be his best friend and he was a devoted caregiver to his mother in her later years.
Born in Winnipeg on February 15, 1945, Louis grew up in Garden City. He had a long and fulfilling career as a Reference Librarian at the West Kildonan Library, where he assisted countless patrons with their questions. Even in retirement, people he would meet often recognized him as “the librarian”.
Louis cherished his relationships with his family and friends. Those who had the privilege of knowing him described him as incredibly friendly, one of their favourite people, and simply the nicest guy.
A lifelong learner, Louis treasured his extensive book collection, with a particular love for astronomy and the works of Carl Sagan. He delighted in sharing stories of his travels to Europe, Hawaii, Arizona, Disney World, and his most cherished destination, Israel. He also enjoyed attending his bowling league, the Rady JCC’s senior program, and the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre. He loved music from the 1940s and 50s and delighted in performing his favourite tunes in talent shows at the Rady JCC and Gwen Secter programs.
Louis was a devoted member of the Rosh Pina and Etz Chayim synagogues. Fellow congregants fondly remember his passionate and dramatic chanting of the Prayer for Peace from the bimah—a heartfelt expression of his deep hope for a peaceful world.
A graveside service was held on April 25, 2025, at Rosh Pina Memorial Park.
Louis was a kind and generous soul who will be missed but never forgotten.
Obituaries
HERB SINGER
Peacefully, with his family by his side, Herb Singer passed away on April 3, 2025.
He is survived by his daughters, Leslie (Sheppy Coodin), Marnie and Sheryl (Kevin Segall). He is also survived by grandchildren, Josh Glow (Leah), Sari Glow, Justin Segall and Hayden Segall, his brother Earl (Mimi), and sisters-in-law, Maureen Steinfeld (Leo) and Bonnie Dressler (Kenny). He was predeceased by his wife Myrna, his parents, Anne and Dave Singer and in-laws, Irma and Harry Nepon.
Herb was born on February 26, 1944, in Winnipeg and spent his early years on the family farm in Ratcliffe, Saskatchewan before the family moved into the city, eventually settling on Smithfield in the North End.
Herb attended West Kildonan Collegiate, excelling in both academics and sports. Herb and Myrna grew up between Salter and Aikins but did not attend the same high school because the back lane between Smithfield (where Herb lived) and McAdam (where Myrna lived) was the dividing marker for St. John’s and West Kildonan. They met in 1960, having been introduced by a neighbour of Myrna’s who was friends with Herb. It was love at first sight; they married in 1966 after graduating from the University of Manitoba.
Herb received his CA designation in 1972. He began his career in public practice but then switched to working as the controller of GIII Limited, which he said allowed him to spend more time with his family.
Herb and Myrna loved spending summers with their girls travelling to Detroit Lakes with other Winnipeggers. Later years found the family travelling campgrounds in Canada and the US in the trailer and finally settling in for summers at Gimli, where the family has happy memories of days at the beach and nights by the campfire.
Herb was an athlete all his life; he played basketball and football as a teenager and then played squash, tennis, racquetball and golf as an adult. Herb spent much of his retirement on the golf courses with friends and grandchildren and also loved his bowling league.
Herb and Myrna loved travelling and together explored China, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, England and Israel just to mention a few places.
Herb was an extremely social person and connected with many people over the years through golf, bowling, bridge and through winters in Palm Springs.
Herb was a supporter of community organizations over his years. He helped organize fundraising dinners for Talmud Torah when his children were students, he was umpire at his girls’ baseball games and in later years, he helped with fundraising at Congregation Etz Chayim, particularly with the yearly Golf tournament as well as the Lottery Brunch. He also donated blood well over 100 times.
His most rewarding role was that of Zaida. He loved spending time with his grandchildren whether it was attending concerts, games or marking a special occasion. He would always make sure his freezer was full of meatballs and ice cream and his cupboard was full of treats for their visits.
Herb loved watching sports on TV and rarely missed a Bomber or Jets game. He particularly enjoyed watching with his family and friends and thought himself an excellent armchair coach!
A funeral service was held at Chesed Shel Emes with burial at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on April 4, 2025.
Those who are wishing to honour Herb are encouraged to make a donation in his memory to Congregation Etz Chayim or to the charity of their choice.
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