Obituaries
DON LOUIS GORDON
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Don Louis Gordon on December 20, 2018 from complications related to his stem cell transplant.
Don was predeceased by his parents Sam and Ruth Gordon. Don is survived by his wife Gwen, his children Jonah (Ami, Ezra) and Allison (Ruby). He leaves to mourn his brother Zvi (Rhonda, Jason, Jeff) who will sadly miss him and forever love him. He will live on in the hearts of many relatives including his Aunt Malke Shore and first cousins Dr. Tsiporah Shore, Saul Jacobson, Sybil Stokoloff, Dinah Lewis and Bernie Shore and their families. He will be missed by many dear friends from near and far including Elliot, Eva and Ofra who were always close at hand during Don’s time of need.
Don’s cancer was first discovered by Dr. Bradley Somers, whose early diagnosis enabled him to receive quick treatment that resulted in a nine-year remission. In 2018, Don received a stem cell transplant. We are forever grateful to the anonymous donor who gave Don this second chance at life. A special thank you to cousin Dr. Tsiporah Shore, a stem cell/bone marrow transplant specialist in New York who consulted weekly with Don’s oncologist in his treatment. She also spent many hours having heart to heart talks with Don as his cousin and a health-care professional. We would like to thank the staff and medical professionals at Hamilton Cancer Care who cared for Don throughout his entire cancer journey.
Don was born in Melfort, Saskatchewan on October 3, 1951. His early years were spent on the family farm in Edenbridge, a farming community near Brooksby. The family made a second home in Tisdale during the winters and the school year, but summers were always spent on the farm. Don was a man of the earth – he loved the farm and working the land, whether it was in the fields with his dad or helping his mom with gardening and canning. Anyone who knew Don knew this is where his heart was happiest and, if it were possible, he would have lived all his days on the farm.
In 1968, Don travelled to Israel and lived and worked on a kibbutz for one year. It was a life-changing experience and one that led to many speaking engagements on his return home to Tisdale. He stayed and worked alongside his parents in the family business, Gordon’s Department Store.
He met and married Gwen in 1975 and moved to Winnipeg. He worked long hours in the clothing industry for 25 years, mostly at MWG Apparel. Don specialized in factory management and manufacturing logistics. In 2002, Don and Gwen and their family moved to Hamilton where Don worked for a trailer manufacturing company and helped Gwen set up a catering business. After a few years, he joined Gwen full time and together they worked hard to make the business successful. Don worked tirelessly, never allowing someone to do what he felt he could do for himself. This was his work ethic and he worked until he did not have the strength to continue.
Don was very proud of his Jewish heritage. He was a mensch and showed this in many ways, including calling his parents every day until their passing. He loved them and missed them very much.
The Torah asks: “Who is rich?” And answers: “He who is happy with his lot; When you eat from the work of your hands, you will be happy, and it will be well with you in the world to come.”
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.