Obituaries
DR. JACK ALLAN RUBIN 1925-2017
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Jack Rubin on October 14th at the age of 92.
Jack was survived by his wife of 69 years, Clarice (nee Riesenberg), his children, Barbara Hochman (Danny), Jackie Akman (Richard) and Ron Rubin, his grandchildren, Jared Akman (Leanne) and Jamie Berman (Skyler), his great granddaughter, Lowan Berman, and his brother, Dr. Leon Rubin. Jack was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Dr. Manly Rubin. Jack will also be sadly missed by his many nieces and nephews.
Jack was born in Winnipeg on April 12, 1925. He attended St. John’s Tech High School where he excelled at sports and received both athletic and academic scholarships for university. He graduated from University of Manitoba medical school and New York University (Bellevue Hospital Center) with specialties in both otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat) and Plastic surgery. For many years Jack was head of the Otolaryngology department at Health Sciences Centre and served as President of the Otolaryngology Society of Canada. Jack was devoted to his patients and continued to practice until his retirement at the age of 75.
Jack married his high school sweetheart Clarice in 1948 and they had a fairytale marriage for 69 years. They were blessed with a life filled with close family and good friends. They enjoyed winters in Palm Springs and summers at Falcon Lake.
Jack excelled at everything he did. He was an all star athlete at both the high school and university levels playing soccer, tennis, football and hockey. Jack picked up a tennis racquet in his teens and didn’t put it down until the age of 87, at which time he was still playing doubles with his daughter and grandchildren. He also loved to swim. At the age of 90 he was swimming half a mile several times a week.
Jack loved to eat, especially desserts, but somehow maintained his athletic build throughout his life. He had a wonderful sense of humour. He was artistic, both his office and home were filled with his paintings and sculptures. He was kind and compassionate and all who meet him loved him.
Special thanks to Jack’s caregivers, Olivia, Margarita and Norle, who were of great help and support in his last few years.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, October 17th at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Thanks to Rabbi Matthew Leibl who officiated the service. Pallbearers were Jared Akman, Jamie Berman, Skyler Berman, Dan Rubin, Bert Finkelstein and Harry Rubin. Honourary pallbearers were Murray Knazan, Brent Knazan and Bernie Rubenstein. Donations in Jack’s memory can be made to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
ESTHER MINUK Dec. 27, 1932 – April 3, 2026
Esther Bat Hershel Ve Devorah
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Esther Minuk, beloved matriarch of our family. She was predeceased by her bashert, her beloved husband, Julius; her parents, Doris and Harry Golub; and her sister, Evelyn (Herbie).
Esther was a loving and proud mother, Baba, and Great-Baba to her children Yale, Rhonda (Tom), Perry (Abby), Jody, and Marla (Franklin); her grandchildren Jordan (Amy), Daniel (Allie), Allie (Jordan), Hannah, and Lily; and her great-grandchildren Julian, Aidan, and Eddie.
Known to many as `Queen Esther’, she led with kindness and integrity, always seeing the good in others. Her home was open and welcoming, filled with warmth, laughter, and love. She was sharp, compassionate, and deeply devoted to her family. We are heartbroken and forever grateful for the love and legacy she leaves behind. She will be eternally missed by her family.
Memorial donations may be made to B’nai Brith of Canada Foundation, 416-633-6224, https://bit.ly/4bRsabI or Sunnybrook Foundation, 416-480-4483, www.sunnybrook.ca/foundation
Obituaries
MILTON FREEDMAN
It is with profound sadness and much love that I announce the passing of Milton Freedman on October 30th, 2025, three months after we celebrated his 100th birthday. Milton was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Peter, his older brother Sam, and his younger brother Sid, with whom he shared a very special relationship. He is survived by his wife Joanie, his sister Ruby Donner, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a great-great nephew.
Family and friends meant everything to Milton, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. He was gentle and kind, quiet and dignified, thoughtful and wise. He gave the best advice, but only if asked.
Milton and I liked to travel, and for many years spent the winter in Palm Springs. We also travelled to Europe and England, and felt most at home in London. We reminisced endlessly about the river cruises we went on, and the amazing places we had the opportunity to visit, whether it was having dinner at a restaurant overlooking the North Sea, or attending a private concert at a palace in Vienna, or tasting Black Forest cake especially prepared for us, while we were in Germany’s Black Forest region. It all was stunning, magical, delicious. But it was the people we met along the way, who made everything even more special, and we never forgot them.
Milton was an avid reader, inhaling newspapers, magazines, and books as if they were oxygen. Remarkably, he remembered much of what he read, and it wasn’t unusual for him to quote a passage from a book that he had read years earlier, if it was relevant to a conversation. It was not to show off…that wasn’t who he was.
Milton was a runner, and for years ran ten miles, three times a week. On the days he didn’t run, he walked outdoors for two and a half hours. Eventually, he gave up running, preferring to walk seven days a week no matter the season, no matter the weather. This continued until he was well into his 80’s. And even in his 90’s Milton remained determined to walk, at first using one cane, then two, then a walker. When he was asked, how he did it, Milton simply said, “Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.” On occasion he might add, “And eventually you’ll get to where you’re going.”
Sage advice.
Milton is deeply missed, and will forever be remembered.
Obituaries
MARLI REBECCA SILVERMAN
Marli Rebecca Silverman passed away on March 11th at the age of 43 from end-stage renal disease. She lived her life with meaning, courage, and resilience, and touched everyone who knew her with her strength, warmth, and spirit.
She leaves behind her beloved daughter, Rylee, who was the light of her life; her father, Bruce; her brother, Matthew; Rylee’s father, Drake; and many family members and dear friends who will carry her memory forward with love.
Marli will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the impact she made on those around her.
May her memory be a blessing.
Donations in Marli’s memory may be made to Breakthrough T1D (breakthrought1d.ca).