Obituaries
DR. MORRIS E. BURKE
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Morris Edwin Burke M.D. husband, father and grandfather, on February 17, 2018 at the Vancouver General Hospital.
In his 90th year, he passed peacefully after a short illness, in the arms of his loving family. He is buried at the Beth Israel Cemetery in Vancouver, BC.
A much loved and respected physician, artist, teacher, friend and colleague, Morris, or ‘Maishe’ as he was known to his family and friends, was born in Winnipeg Manitoba on November 14, 1927 to Max and Sarah Burke, the youngest of three sons.
He was predeceased by his parents, and brothers Matt and Benge. He is survived by his wife Eleanor, children David, (Sharlynne), Joel, Baillie and Jeff, grandchildren Connor, Sarah, Ava and Kiera, brothers-in-law Morley Shatsky, (Charlene) and Meyer Thompson, sisters-in-law Belle Burke (Toronto) and Lillian Burke (Winnipeg), and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Morris attended St. John’s Tech High School and was Valedictorian in his last year. He applied and was accepted to the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba despite a strict quota at the time for Jewish students. He was awarded the Lt. Frank Rich Memorial Scholarship after his first year of internship and in 1951 he graduated Medicine as one of the youngest in a large class of graduates. Morris then married his long time love Eleanor Shatsky, whom he had met at the age of 16. He took the position as Doctor in the town of Erikson MB, followed by a move to Norway House at the top of Lake Winnipeg, working for the, Department of Indian Affairs. There, he wrote a dictionary in the Cree language with the help of the Cree First Nation locals to better communicate their illnesses and document their medical histories. Morris acted as Surgeon, Obstetrician and Dentist, and was greatly respected for his compassion and tireless care as he flew to nursing stations at Cross Lake and Island Lake. After, the couple moved to Wappella, SK where they lived for the next three years and then back to Winnipeg to rejoin their extended families and welcome their sons David, Joel and daughter Baillie.
Morris opened his office in East Kildonan on Watt Street where he practiced for 40 years, meanwhile becoming Medical Director of Tuxedo Villa and Beacon Hill Nursing Homes. Among his many accomplishments, he was commended by the Mayo Clinic for his diagnostic abilities and was acknowledged by his peers for using the practice of hypnosis to help his patients overcome disabilities. He was Secretary for the Board of the Canadian Hypnosis Society for several years.
Eventually he closed his office and joined the Eaton Place Medical Centre until his retirement in 2015. To quote his patients who often brought him second and third generations, Morris was a ‘gentle, patient, articulate, empathetic and thorough doctor’. He was loved by everyone who knew him and for whom he always had a kind word.
After being in practice for 64 years, Morris and Eleanor moved to Vancouver BC to join their children and grandchildren. They would have celebrated their 67th Anniversary July 1, 2018. An epitaph Morris wrote on his parent’s headstone is equally fitting to his own; ’Golden Hearts & Hands at Rest.’ We will love and miss him forever.
A donation in Morris’ name to Mazon Canada (1.416.783.7554) or the charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.
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.