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
ALAN LEVY
On January 6, Alan Levy, age 71, died at Grace Hospital with his wife and daughters by his side.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Alan spent his childhood in the North End and later moved to River Heights, where his family settled on Brock Street.
After studying in Winnipeg and Tel Aviv, Alan moved to Toronto, where he lived for over 30 years. It was in Toronto where he raised a family with his first wife, Sylvia Bashevkin, worked in public sector human resources and fell in love with Chinese food.
In 2017, after brief stints as an academic in Regina and Brandon, Alan moved back home to the Peg, where he spent many fulfilling years with his devoted wife of 20 years, Cheryl Karlinsky, and their loving dogs. In his later career, he was appointed to the Labour Relations Board of Canada where he served as a skilled adjudicator and proud Canadian.
Alan was endlessly proud of his family, daughters Dalia Levy and Aviva Levy (Adam Walman) of Toronto, and two grandsons, Jonah and Ethan.
Predeceased by his parents Sheldon and Audrey Levy (nee Myers) of Winnipeg, Alan was a dedicated news junkie with a sharp sense of humour. He thrived most when discussing current events, cracking jokes and debating geopolitical crises. Much to his family’s frustration, he would stay up all night glued to the news, and they’d wake up to endless articles he’d shared the night before.
Alan had an exceptionally strong spirit of generosity and focus on ‘tikkun olam’ – repairing the world, which lives on in his children and grandchildren. His family is grateful to the staff at Simkin for providing him with a phenomenal level of care over the last few years, especially Dr. Chung and Sara Reid, Assistant Director of Care. Special thanks to Paul, Victor and Almaze, his kind and patient caregivers.
The funeral took place at Chesed Shel Emes on January 8.
Donations in his memory can be made to The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre https://www.simkincentre.ca.
Obituaries
DENNIS GERALD DITLOVE NOVEMBER 25, 1936 – DECEMBER 1, 2025
Dennis Gerald Ditlove was a man of integrity, kindness, generosity and most of all, humor. He was born on November 25, 1936 in the small town of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the son of Louis and Faye Ditlove, and if you knew him at all, you heard plenty of stories about his childhood there. Dennis was a man of unparalleled resolve and an entrepreneur who built Inland Steel through grit and determination.
He retired from Inland Steel in Saskatoon, SK in 1987, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and innovation. His unwavering commitment to his work was only outshone by his love for his family and his community in Rancho Mirage, California. Dennis was a man of many talents and passions but he was best known for the relationships he cultivated with everyone he met, and his unparalleled sense of humor.
Dennis is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy; and his loving children, Mark (Wendy) Ditlove, Shari Snow and Cindy (Stuart) Tapper; beloved grandchildren, Matthew (Mary) Ditlove, Jacob (Sydney) Ditlove, Danielle (Eli) Dresner, Emily (Max) Snow, Max Bermont, Jillian Snow, Jonah Tapper, Leo Tapper and Henry Tapper; and adored great-grandchildren, Sam and Wynn Ditlove, Goldie and Bernie Dresner. His legacy lives on in them, in the lessons he taught them and the love he gave. He was a pillar of strength and a beacon of wisdom in their lives, providing them with a firm foundation on which to build their own successes.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Faye Ditlove; his sister Zora (Walter) Stern; his first wife, Marlene Ditlove; and son-in-law Howard Snow. While there is sorrow in his passing, there is also joy in celebrating a life well-lived, a life that left indelible marks on the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
A service to honor and commemorate Dennis’s life was held on Friday December 5th at the Adath Yeshurin Cemetery Chapel in Minneapolis.
We invite his family and friends to visit www. hodroff.com/DennisDitlove to rewatch the service. Contributions in name can be be made to the Jewish Federation of the Desert, 69710 CA-111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. May his memory be a blessing.
Obituaries
DEBORAH DOLLY CHISICK (nee SEGAL) NOVEMBER 30, 1942 – DECEMBER 19, 2025
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Dolly Chisick on Friday, December 19th, at the age of 83. Dolly passed peacefully with her family by her side. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her children, Shannon Chisick-Harman and Sean Chisick; her grandson, Charlie Harman; her siblings, Elaine (Paul) Olin and Barney Segal; her husband, Ernie Chisick; and her nephews, nieces, and many friends. Dolly was predeceased by her beloved parents, Sam Segal in 1998, and Louise Segal in 2006. Dolly was born on November 30, 1942, in Toronto, Ontario. After a few years, her family settled in Winnipeg, where she spent her formative years growing up on Lansdowne Avenue. Dolly graduated from teachers’ college in 1962 and married Ernie in 1964.
Together, they travelled the world, stopping at every museum along the way.
An extraordinary art teacher, Dolly’s career spanned more than fifty years. A gifted educator and passionate artist, she inspired generations of students and instilled in them a lifelong love and appreciation for art. Her creativity, patience, and encouragement left a lasting impact on all who learned from her. Dolly was a deeply caring person who truly loved people, always opening her home and making everyone feel welcome. Her energy was endless. An extraordinary cook, she was especially known for her famous challah buns, lovingly baked and shared, which became a symbol of her care, hospitality, and the comfort she brought to those she loved.
Family and connection were the most important things in Dolly’s life, and she nurtured those bonds with warmth and generosity. Above all else, she adored her children and, later, her grandson, Charlie, taking immense pride and joy in being a devoted Bubi. The bonds and connections Dolly shared with those she loved will remain deeply felt, a lasting source of comfort and strength, and an enduring part of her legacy.
The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Riverview for their exemplary care and compassion over the past several years. Funeral services were held on Monday, December 22nd, at the Chesed Shel Emes, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were Owen Davidson, Myles Davis, Marc Goldberg, Michael Goldberg, Jordan Hochman, and Jordan Farber.
In memory of Dolly, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada or the charity of your choice.