Obituaries
Dr. ASHER BARRY NORMAN THOMPSON
The family of Dr. Asher Thompson is heartbroken to announce his peaceful passing at the age of 84 on December 9, 2020 at Northridge Hospital in Los Angeles, CA. Asher was cherished by many and will be deeply missed.
He was the husband of 26 years to Cathy Roland Thompson, with whom he enjoyed a life rich with family, friends, and community. Asher was a loving and devoted father to Michael (Margaret Wong), Shelly (Blake Larkin), Karen (Nir Shema) and Marcie, and a loving, devoted step-father to Rabbi David Kornberg (Debbie) and Lisa Kahn. Together with Cathy, Asher treasured and enjoyed 14 grandchildren who will miss him dearly: Ella and Jonah Thompson, Zachary, Tanner and Zoe Larkin, Kinneret, Carmel and Arava Shema, Melanie, Lorelle and Dory Grynholc, Michael and Rachel Kornberg and Ethan Kahn. Asher was predeceased by his beloved parents, Tannie and Joe Thompson and his sister Doreen. Asher remained close throughout his life to his sister Myra Robles (Carolyn Robinson), and is mourned by his cousins, nieces and nephews. Asher will also be missed by the extended Niznick family.
Asher was born on October 13, 1936 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and grew up amongst dear friends in Winnipeg, with whom he remained close throughout his life. After graduating from the University of Manitoba Medical School in 1960, he was married to Sharon Niznick (Glass), and moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he took three years of training in internal medicine at Henry Ford Hospital. After Henry Ford hospital, he went to Salt Lake City with a National Institute of Health grant in their gastroenterology department, before returning to Winnipeg to begin his medical practice. In 1970, Asher moved to Los Angeles, where he built his medical practice, with a specialty in gastroenter-ology. Asher profoundly loved practicing medicine – it was not a job for him, it was a passion, a Sherlock Holms-ian mystery to be solved, and an identity. He was a caring and brilliant physician, and he was devoted to his patients, who recognized him not only for his medical services but for the way he took care of them with sensitivity and warmth; he considered himself an old-fashioned doctor.
After moving to California, Asher raised his family, and cultivated a circle of dear friends that he loved very much, some from his youth in Winnipeg, and others through his synagogue, golf club or medical practice. Asher was known, loved and admired for his warmth, intelligence, compassion and ability to spin a good story. He always encouraged his children and grandchildren to pursue their passions, whether academic, professional, creative, athletic or musical, and always tried to attend and show his support at their games, plays, performances, graduations and other live events. He shared with them his passion for studying history, travel, books, golf, theatre, photography, food, a well-told story and spending time together. He also shared his love for Jewish religion, traditions, art and food. He enjoyed dining with and entertaining his family and friends, and was known for his generosity. He was a lifelong golfer, and enjoyed watching his favorite team, the Los Angeles Kings, play ice hockey. An avid history buff and traveler, he ventured around the world, including Israel, Australia, England, Europe, Scandinavia, and Asia.
Asher will be remembered for the unlimited and unconditional love and support he had for Cathy, his children and grandchildren, extended family and his many dear friends. He will be deeply missed, but in our grief, we find gratitude for our immense good fortune having had Dr. Asher Barry Norman Thompson in our lives.
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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