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
DAVID BLOOMFIELD
Sadly, David Bloomfield passed peacefully on December 19, 2024, age 79.
David was predeceased by his parents, Marion and Phillip Bloomfield, and older brothers, Joel and Auby. David will be deeply missed and mourned by his wife, Sheila, of 56 years, the love of his life, his children, Brenlee (Michael) and Evan (Ellen), as well as cherished grandchildren, Matthew, Aaron, Lainee, and Lauren. David shared close relationships with his younger sisters, Naomi and Judi, and with their husbands, Shmuel and Larry, and with his sister-in-law, Linda. David also enjoyed meaningful relationships with each of his nieces and nephews.
David was born on January 20, 1945, and grew up in Winnipeg’s North End. He enjoyed many summers at his grandmother’s cottage in Winnipeg Beach, the place he first met Sheila. His love of the outdoors and beach life continued throughout his life.
David was proud of the varied jobs he held and businesses he created across his life. He opted for early retirement from Air Canada choosing to become an independent business owner, purchasing, developing, and operating three Subway restaurants. In later years he bought and sold RV trailers and was always the consummate deal maker.
Throughout his life, David was very involved in his community. He was a very active member of multiple synagogue boards and committees across several decades, later became an active member of his condo board, and ultimately continued to share his opinions and ideas as a resident of both the Courtyards and the Simkin Centre.
David enjoyed his down time and valued his relationships with family and friends. He loved simple things, like Sunday drives with Sheila. He relished weekly lunch and regular casino dates with Auby and enjoyed travelling with Sheila and his siblings and their spouses. David and Sheila enjoyed many holiday meals at Brenlee and Michael’s home over the years and made wonderful memories at Evan and Ellen’s Loni Beach cottage. Early retirement allowed David significant opportunity for travel, especially on cruises with Sheila, in North America, the Caribbean, and Europe. David owned various travel trailers over 30 plus years and enjoyed winters RVing in Texas and local “Good Sam Club” campground meet ups. He introduced his children to RVing in the 1980s, and later shared his love for RVing with his grandchildren.
Huge thanks to David’s sister Judi Fielding, and brother-in-law, Larry Fielding, who provided David significant support, and significantly improved his quality of life in the final few years. Thank you to staff of Simkin Centre who provided excellent care of David during his final year. For those who choose, donations can be made to the Simkin Centre or Jewish Child and Family Services. Further details: e_bloomfield@yahoo.ca
Obituaries
ANNETTE FREDA MINUK (NEE MASSIE) June 25, 1924 – December 21, 2024
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother who left us peacefully on December 21, 2024 at the age of 100. She was laid to rest beside her late husband Harry at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbears attending were Kevin Minuk, Blake Minuk, Hayley Trenholm, Doug West, Simmie Globerman and Keith Levit.
Annette is survived by her children, Arlene West (Doug), Sheldon (Shoshana), Jeffrey (Harriet); grandchildren Kimberley (Chris) Kevin (Simmie), Blake (Chelsea), Hayley (Chris) and Harel; her great grandchildren Kyler, Krewyn, Charlotte, Annie, Lachlan and sister in law Yetta Levit. She was predeceased by her husband Harry, her parents Rebecca and Dalton, her brother Jack Massie, brothers and sisters in law, Max and Clara Zamick, Norman and Molly Lachter, Norman and Goldie Minuk, Evie and Jack Rosenbaum and Jack Levit.
Annette was truly one of a kind. She was a warm and loving person whose kindness touched the lives of everyone who knew her.
Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to her family always putting their needs ahead of hers. She was always there for all the kids and grandkids activities over the years. She was present at countless milestones and activities, celebrating every achievement with unwavering pride and joy. Her wisdom and compassion were a guiding light, and she had the extraordinary ability to make everyone feel special, valued and deeply loved. She will be remembered for her generous heart, infectious smile and the countless memories that will forever live in our hearts.
Mom will be missed each and everyday, but now she is with our Dad where she wanted to be.
As we say goodbye, we celebrate her remarkable life and the enduring legacy of love she leaves behind. Her spirit will continue to inspire us, and she will always be cherished and missed.
Obituaries
LOUIS ELFENBAUM March 12, 1936 – December 9, 2024
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Dr. Louis Elfenbaum. Louis was a popular Professor of Kinesiology at California State University, Sacramento. He taught for 38 years and then retired and moved to San Diego, California, with his wife, Elizabeth.
Born in rural Lipton, Saskatchewan, on March 12, 1936, Louis was the youngest of six children of Abraham and Dora Elfenbaum. With his siblings, Louis braved the harsh Canadian climate to maintain the family farm.
At age 14, Louis moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he lived with his sister and attended St. John’s High School. In high school, Louis was extremely popular, an excellent student, an accomplished athlete, and was voted school president.
After high school, Louis studied at Manitoba Teachers’ College and began his teaching career. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State College in Minnesota, followed by a Master of Science in Physical Education from the University of North Dakota. He earned his Doctorate in Kinesiology from Ohio State University in 1966. His early professorships were at West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M) and prestigious McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
In 1970, Louis accepted a full professorship at California State University, Sacramento where he taught Kinesiology for close to four decades. During his tenure as a professor, Louis pursued his interest in law, earning his J.D. degree from Lincoln Law School in 1982.
Louis cared deeply about his students, offering a special lecture about life that attracted students not only from his department, but also from the entire university. He valued intellectual curiosity and fostered that spirit in his students as well as his four children, who have all pursued higher education earning advanced degrees.
Louis had a magnetic personality. He was kind, patient, generous, caring, honest and selfless. Those attributes had a lasting positive impact on everyone he met. He was adored by his family including his children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins, who greatly valued his wisdom, his guidance and his unconditional love.
Louis is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Lefcort, (pre-deceased by his ex-wife Esther—d. 2018–and mother of) his four children, Adrian Elfenbaum (JoAnne Winter), Ian Elfenbaum (Susan Adler), Marcia Elfenbaum, Pamela Elfenbaum (David Klein), 2 stepchildren, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login