Obituaries
DR. W. C. (FRED) WEINSTEIN, DMD 1939 – 2017
It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Fred Weinstein on October 15, 2017 at the age of 78.
He will be deeply missed but forever remembered by his wife Heather (nee MacKay), children Roxanne, Matthew (Cynthia) and Jason, and his beloved grandson, Sam. He is survived by his sister Audrey Agasi from Winnipeg, and was predeceased by his loving parents Esther and Oscar Weinstein.
Born in 1939 in Winnipeg, MB Fred excelled in high school at St. John’s College in both academics and athletics (basketball). He was a very popular classmate and still had many friends from his Winnipeg days, a true testament to the affect he had on people. Fred followed his heart and passion to pursue a career in dentistry – and what a career it was! He graduated from General Dentistry from the University of Manitoba at the age of 22. He then pursued a prestigious Fellowship in Endodontics at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia under the tutelage of Dr. Louis Grossman, known as the “Father of Endodontics”. This accomplishment meant a lot to our beloved dad. “Freddy” then moved the family out west to Vancouver, BC to pioneer his craft as one of the first licensed Endodontists in British Columbia. He successfully practiced at the Fairmont Medical Building for 40 plus years. He loved his patients and he equally enjoyed teaching and lecturing throughout the world to advance the learnings within dentistry. Fred’s many accomplishments within the profession include: Past President of the Canadian Academy of Endodontics (CAE), BC Society of Endodontics, the Interspecialty Dental Society of BC and the International Federation of Endodontic Associations (IFEA). In addition to being a Member of the Royal College of Dentists, he was also a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. Fred was exceptionally proud to serve as the General Chairman for the 2007 IFEA World Congress in Vancouver. He also served as a volunteer Endodontist at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and had the distinction of performing an acute root canal on world boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard back in the 1980s. Above all of Fred’s accomplishments and titles, his family remained his number one priority in his life, always. He had a gentle heart of gold, compassion and sincerity and a smile that would illuminate a room. He will be dearly missed but in our hearts always.
Funeral services were held October 17 at the Temple Sholom Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Lance Howitt, Ben Garfinkel, Saul Rosenbaum, Mark Kierszenblat, Malcolm Yan and Dean Knoblauch.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, the Vancouver General Hospital Cardiac Rehab Program (www.vghfoundation.ca/healthyheart), the Vancouver Prostate Centre or 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).