Obituaries
DR. BARRY CAPLAN
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Barry Caplan on June 2, 2017, at the age of 84, after a short, but courageous, battle with cancer.
Barry is survived by his loving wife, Sandra; children, Susan Billinkoff (Errol), Bruce Caplan (Sheri Winters) and David Caplan (Cindy Switzer); and grandchildren, Jordan and Asher Billinkoff, Maia and Annie Caplan, and Max and Layla Switzer-Caplan. He is also survived by his sisters, Sandra Ciarrocchi (Ray) and Gail Bender (Earl); sisters-in-law, Marcia Glazerman and Philipa Caplan, cousin and dear friend, Aubrey Caplan; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Max and Annette (Stall) Caplan; in-laws, Bertha and Allan Glazerman; and brother-in-law, Fred Glazerman.
Barry was a “gentleman”, a “gentle man”, and a “mensch”. He grew up on McAdam Avenue and attended school at Machray, Luxton and St. John’s High. Barry’s natural artistic talent emerged at an early age and one of his favourite pastimes was creating his own comic strip characters, all precisely rendered with pen and ink. He also wrote accompanying stories, producing incredible works of animated fiction. Barry credited his parents with instilling and nurturing in him a lifelong love of literature, history, art, poetry, and music.
Notwithstanding his passion for the arts and humanities, Barry’s formal education took him down another path, medicine. He graduated from the University of Manitoba’s Medical School in 1957, interned and completed a one year fellowship in pathology at the Winnipeg General Hospital (now Health Sciences Centre), and then moved to California where he completed a residency in urology at U.C.L.A. in 1963. After moving back to Winnipeg, Barry began his medical practice in the Boyd Building and later opened a new office in the Medical Arts together with fellow urologist, Dr. Alan Decter. He and Alan shared a long and happy professional association and friendship. Barry was known as a kind, caring, and compassionate doctor. He was devoted to his patients and always went the extra mile, ensuring that those in his charge received the best care possible. In addition to his practice, Barry served as a urological consultant to the St. Boniface Clinic and taught at the University of Manitoba’s Medical Faculty for over 30 years.
On June 21, 1959 Barry married his soul mate, Sandra Glazerman. Sandra knew that Barry was the love of her life and he was equally smitten, declaring at their wedding that their profound love would endure “beyond the limits of time with the brightness and freshness with which it blossomed on that day”.
Family was important to Barry and he shared special relationships with each of his children. Some of his happiest memories were of time spent on family vacations. He enthusiastically welcomed new members into the Caplan family, including his children’s spouses and their families, and, eventually, six grandchildren, each of whom he adored.
During their married life Sandra and Barry enjoyed Winnipeg’s rich cultural offerings, including the opera, symphony, ballet, and theatre. They also travelled extensively, savouring each experience, and always coming home ready to plan their next adventure.
After retiring at 68, Barry went back to university, enrolling in as many sessions as his schedule – and Sandra – would permit. He studied a wide variety of subjects and worked long hours on papers and art projects. He loved hearing his professors’ views on politics and currents events, and they all respected his sage opinions and views of the world. He continued to pursue his fine arts studies at their winter home in St. Petersburg, Florida, where they enjoyed the company of a new circle of friends, the warm weather, and the vibrant arts and cultural scene.
Barry was deeply touched by the many family and friends who came to his 80th birthday celebration. In his speech he thanked Sandra for her unconditional love and super human efforts on his behalf during the vicissitudes of their, then, 53 years together. In the end, it was Sandra’s devotion to Barry that allowed him to live comfortably at home until the last week of his life. Her dedication to his well-being at all times and, in particular, when his health declined rapidly and gravely, was a testament to her great love for him.
Heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Alan Green for providing support and comfort to Barry in his final days, to Dr. George Balko for his expertise and compassion, and to Dr. Bob Steinberg for his kindness and friendship.
Funeral services, officiated by Rabbi Green and Cantor Mass, were held at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on June 5, 2017. Pallbearers were Errol, Jordan, and Asher Billinkoff; Daniel and Alyn Glazerman; and Randy Bender. Honorary pallbearers were Dick Bell, Earl Bender, Lou Billinkoff, Aubrey Caplan, Bob Weinerman and Edward Winters.
Barry’s passing leaves a void in the essence of the Earth. We will miss him dearly and will strive to live by his example. He will be forever in our hearts.
Now cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet prince;
And flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest!
(Shakespeare, Hamlet)
If desired, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Obituaries
SALLY ANN NARR
Sally Ann Narr, born September 5, 1935, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025, at the age of 89.
Sally was born and raised in Winnipeg’s North End, and attended William Whyte school and later St. John’s Tech. At 18 years old, Sally bravely made the decision to leave her family and friends in Winnipeg, and head to Los Angeles, California where she hoped to pursue a career in Hollywood. After arriving in LA, Sally got a job working at Farmer’s Insurance, until she landed her dream job at Capitol Records at Hollywood and Vine.
Sally absolutely loved her job at Capitol Records and often found herself partying with some of the most famous celebrities.
At a New Year’s Eve party in 1958, Sally met the love of her life, Frank, and they were married the following year on December 12, 1959. Sally and Frank were married for 65 years and were overjoyed when they welcomed their daughter, Heather on October 1, 1965. It was in 1969, some years after the Watts Riot in LA that Sally and Frank made the decision to leave LA and return to Winnipeg to raise their daughter. Once back in Winnipeg, Sally and Frank resided in the West Kildonan area for 43 years until they bought a condo and moved to the south end of the city to be close to their daughter and grandchildren.
Sally lived a full and rich life. Some of her fondest memories were going on a Caribbean cruise for hers and Frank’s 50th wedding anniversary with her family, going to Hawaii for her 80th birthday, and attending her granddaughter’s wedding in 2019. Beyond all of this, Sally’s greatest joy in life was when her two grandchildren were born. She was overjoyed to become a grandmother and said it was the best job in the world.
It was shortly after the arrival of her first great-granddaughter in 2022 that Sally became a resident of the Simkin Centre, a place she would call home for almost three years until her passing. The staff treated her with the utmost care and respect and helped guide her family through her battle with Alzheimers and in the last few months of her life, cancer.
Sally’s quality of life would not have been what it was if it was not for her devoted caregiver, Oxana. From 2020 to 2025, Oxana provided wonderful care for Sally through her compassion and dedication and love for both Sally and Frank. There are not enough ways to thank Oxana for everything she did for Sally and her entire family over their five years together.
Sally was predeceased by her parents, Ann and Nicholas Dutkevich and is survived by her husband, Frank Narr, her daughter Heather Cantor (Ed), granddaughter, Lexi Cantor (Dan Robillard), her grandson Ryan Cantor, great-granddaughters, Parker and Blake and her brother Joey Dutkevich (Karen).
The family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer Association or the Simkin Centre in honour of Sally.
Obituaries
DR. ROBERT CORNE
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Robert Corne on February 5, 2025.
Dr. Corne was married to Irene (née Genser), for 66 years; father of Lesley Corne Wolman, (spouse-Jeff Wolman), Janet Corne, (spouse-Michael Katz), Maureen Slama, (spouse-Avi Slama), and Eric Corne, (spouse-Aimee Corne).
Grandfather of Ariel Slama, Yale Wolman (spouse-Ashlie Sapiro), Serena Wolman, Liav Slama, Neeve Slama, Ira Corne and Lilly Corne.
Born in 1936 in Winnipeg, Robert was the only child Hy and Yhetta Corne. He attended both River Heights Elementary School and Kelvin High School. He entered University of Manitoba Medical School at the age of 18, winning the Ibsen scholarship. He married Irene Genser in 1958.
In 1960, Robert, Irene, and daughter Lesley, moved to Rochester, Minnesota, where Robert was a Fellow in Internal Medicine (1960-63) and a Fellow in Cardiology (1963-64) at the Mayo Clinic. Robert’s research interest was in cardiac pathology and in 1964 he received a Master’s in Science from the University of Minnesota. In1964 the young family, now including daughters, Janet and Maureen, moved to San Francisco where Robert spent a year at the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco. Robert became a fellow of Royal College of Physicians of Canada, a Diplomat of American Board of Internal Medicine, and a Diplomat of the American Board of Cardiology.
The family returned to Winnipeg in 1965 and Robert joined his uncle, Dr. Norman Corne and Dr. Mossy Lehmann in private practice for three years. In 1968, he joined the Faculty of Medicine in the department of Cardiology at University of Manitoba. For several years he worked with Dr. Frank Matthewson in a natural history study of cardiac disease in Canadian Air Force pilots whom they followed for over 30 years. Robert also pursued a special interest in heart disease in women.
In 1977 Robert was appointed as The Lady Davis Professor of Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the family, now including son, Eric, moved to Israel for the year. where Robert opened the department of Nuclear Cardiology at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. He was privileged to take part in the first heart scan in Israel and participated in a cardiac evaluation of Prime Minister Menachem Begin.
The Corne family returned to Winnipeg in 1978, and Robert became the co-Director of Nuclear Cardiology and Director of Cardiac Ambulatory Care at Health Sciences Center. Teaching was an exciting and rewarding part of his academic life, and he became a full Professor of Medicine at the University of Manitoba. His research has been published in both the American Heart Journal and The American Journal of Cardiology.
Robert’s volunteer commitments included a seat on the Board of the Winnipeg Chapter of Hebrew University and was instrumental in launching the Academic Affairs Initiative. He was the Governor of the Prairie Provinces of American College of Cardiology, a councilor of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, and a Member of the Council on Clinical Cardiology of the American Heart Association.
Despite his overwhelmingly numerous academic and professional achievements, he would say that his greatest accomplishment was his family: his four children and their spouses, eight grandchildren and sixty-six-year marriage to his beloved wife, Irene. He was a loving and caring husband, an exceptionally devoted father and an interested and involved grandfather who shared a unique relationship with each of his children and grandchildren. He was a loyal friend to many and a trusted colleague to all who worked alongside him.
Obituaries
EARL (ARIE) PERLMUTTER
We are saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend and cousin Arie Perlmutter at the age of 77. Arie died peacefully after a brief but difficult struggle with cancer on April 12, 2025.
He was predeceased by his parents, Hymie and Thelma and by his beloved sister Sheila.
Arie developed and maintained many close friends throughout his life. He attended St. John’s High in the 60s and kept in touch with many of his classmates. He began his working life as a delivery driver for City Bread. This was followed by a career of over 20 years at Advance Electronics, where he was a well-respected and expert sales associate. He hung out at North End Sals, for virtually his entire life, discussing (arguing? kibitzing?) with many people too numerous to name, the issues of the day but especially about sports, and most especially about baseball.
In his retired life, he was a member of Larters Golf Club, golfing with much enthusiasm and passion, if not prowess. Arie donated to and volunteered at the Winnipeg Humane Society for many years.
His family and friends would like to thank the staff at the St. Boniface Hospital whose compassionate and caring attention to Arie in his final days was truly a great comfort to him.
In keeping with Arie’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no funeral will be held.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login