Obituaries
EDWARD HARRY LAZAR March 27, 1924 – December 11, 2021
We lost a very special member of our family on December 11, 2021 when Edward Harry Lazar passed away at the age of 97.
He is fondly remembered by his daughters Sharon Batshaw (and her children Leor, Doron, Paul, and Yardena) and Rosalie Lazar, (husband Irwin Corobow and son Jonathan), and his great grandchildren, Davi, Asher, Emerson, and Ellyson and his many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Mary (Olin), his parents Louis and Gertie Lazar, his son in law, Bernie Batshaw, and his siblings Sam Lazar, Hilda Stern, Ronnie Lazar and Lloyd Lazar.
Ed grew up on the family farm in Bird’s Hill, Manitoba. the 1st generation of his family to be born in Canada. He grew up at a time that was so much harder- no running water, central heat or electricity. His parents Gertie and Louis Lazar and his grandparents Rachel and Nathan Lazar and Moshe and Sarah Daiter all immigrated to Manitoba from Eastern Europe and became pioneer farmers.
He grew up loved by these people absorbing so much of who they were-a brave generation of immigrants working hard to make a good life for their family in new country.
His work ethic was so strong- it started in his childhood- milking cows daily on the family farm before walking 2 and ½ miles to his elementary school classes in Springfield.
It continued throughout his school years – taking on more farm work- watering and herding cattle, planting, harvesting and thrashing.
As a young teenager he would ride his bike from Birds Hill to Winnipeg with his brother Sam to work unloading boxcars of coal for a few dollars and by age 15 he had a steady job at the Transcona cordite factory working long hours at a dangerous job mixing explosives for the war effort. His work continued at age 16 when he travelled to Prince Rupert B.C. to work as a riveter at the CN ship yards, sending every dollar he earned home for the rebuilding of his family’s burned-out farm house. When he graduated high school, he immediately volunteered with the Canadian Armed Forces and sailed twice back and forth across the dangerous North Atlantic where there was always a risk of u boat attacks. He returned to Canada to guard prisoners of war in North Western Ontario and then volunteered and trained for the war in the Pacific. After the war he travelled to work for the Yukon Gold Corporation, running a power plant to fuel gold dredging on the Klondike River. He returned to Manitoba 3 years later and farmed in Spingfield on land adjacent to his parents farm. He then worked as an independent trucker and followed that as the long-time owner of Variety Fruit Grocery Store on Main Street.
He valued his Jewish roots, celebrating the holidays with us, attending services, and was a frequent visitor, financial supporter and volunteer at the Simkin Center. In his later years he attended the Simkin Centre Adult Day Program and valued the friendships he forged with the staff (Heather) and volunteers (Brenda). He carried with him the lessons he learned from his parents and grandparents- he spoke and understood Yiddish, and enjoyed using the best humorous Yiddish expressions always with a twinkle in his eye.
He valued family-he was there for his parents especially so as they aged. He enjoyed his siblings and their spouses and interacting with his many nieces and nephews and their children. As the health of his siblings failed, he was determined to be a regular visitor trying to brighten their days. He was the last survivor of his siblings and our mother’s siblings and missed them all so much- determined to keep their memories alive with stories.
He was simply a very happy person. Almost every time we would get together with my dad, right up until he passed away, he would amaze us with the clarity of his thoughts and memories from every chapter of his life. His childhood and farm years, his youth, his war years, his work life in the north and here in Winnipeg, and his retirement years. He was a master chronicler and story teller.
In his later years, indeed right up to this summer, you could find Ed sitting on his scooter down at the lake near his house in Lindenwoods, watching the birds on the lake, and he knew what each one was. He loved nature and being outside to see it made him
very happy.
We would like to thank his companions Trina and Linda who enriched his life when he became housebound as well as the WRHA Home Care Program for their support of Ed as his health failed. A thank you as well to Dr. Goldberg of the Fort Garry Access Centre who cared for him as his primary care physician.
The pallbearers for Ed were his grandchildren, Leor, Paul, Yardena, Jonathan and his nephews Matthew and Gary Lazar. We would like to thank Rabbi Kliel Rose of the Etz Chaim Synagogue for officiating at the funeral and his kind words of comfort to the family.
If you would like to make a donation in his memory, please consider the Simkin Centre Personal Care Home or the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
EDWARD (BARNEY) SEGAL
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Edward “Barney” Segal on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the age of 70.
Barney will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his sister, Elaine (Paul) Olin; his nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephew: Jason Olin, Carrie Shenkarow, Jessica and Shirley Ransby; Brenlee, David, Hayley, and Leah Selchen; and Daniel, Jordi, Poppy, and Skylar Olin; Shannon Chisick-Harman, Charlie Harman; and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his beloved parents, Sam Segal (1998) and Louise Segal (2006), and by his sister, Dolly Chisick (December 2025).
Barney was born on April 27, 1955, in Winnipeg, where he lived his entire life. He spent his formative years on Lansdowne Avenue, a place that remained close to his heart and was filled with many fond memories throughout his life. Barney was the youngest of four children, and from an early age, he was a spirited and energetic presence, full of personality and spark.
Barney carried that same determination and energy into his adult life. With an unwavering work ethic, he pursued a career in education while working full-time, earning his degree from the University of Manitoba. He went on to dedicate many years to teaching and supporting schools throughout Winnipeg. Barney took great pride in helping students grow, always striving to make a lasting impression on the young people whose lives he touched.
He was fiercely loyal to his family, his friends, and the communities he served. Barney found joy in life’s simple and meaningful moments: cheering on the Chicago Bears, sharing vivid stories about his parents and days gone by, riding his motorcycle, and heading out on long road trips in his beloved Jeep, “Sparky,” always in search of the next good story.
Barney will be remembered for his strong spirit, his storytelling, his sense of humor, and the genuine care he showed to those around him. His presence filled a room, and his absence leaves a space that cannot be replaced. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Funeral services were held on Friday, March 6, at Chesed Shel Emes, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were Daniel Olin, Jason Olin, Laurie Gorenstein, Jeff Brown, Gavin Rich, and Mark Lomow. Honorary pallbearers were Brenlee Selchen, David Selchen, Shannon Chisick-Harman, Charlie Harman, Jordi Olin, Carrie Shenkarow, Rick Lousier, Ben Szymkow, Ron Nelson, Leroy Fox, Robert Marvin, and Gerry Dudley.
In memory of Barney, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
BARBARA CONSTANCE SLUTCHUK (née Stratton) MAY 9, 1941 – MARCH 3, 2026
Barbara Constance Slutchuk passed away peacefully. She was born on May 9, 1941, in Carmen, Manitoba to Lena Galbraith and Arthur Stratton.
Barbara was the beloved wife of George Slutchuk, whom she married on March 28, 1971. She is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Rishona Hyman (Hartley Hyman) and Dama Slutchuk (Tom Aldridge), and by her cherished grandchildren, Gregory and Izzie Hyman. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
Barbara was predeceased by her parents; her second mother, Lyla “Winnie” Stratton; her sisters Mary Beighton (Ted) and Patricia Morton (Robert); and her brothers Keith Stratton, Grant Stratton, John Stratton, Bryan Smith (Eleanor), Lyle Smith, and David (Gail).
Barbara was a trailblazer in nursing. Over her long and dedicated career she managed an emergency department at St. Boniface Hospital, later oversaw the operating room at Seven Oaks Hospital. Eventually moved into Human Resources at Misericordia Hospital.
She had a deep passion for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and attended many games, events, and Grey Cups over the years. Barbara was an avid reader and bridge player. A proud Canadian, she loved football, hockey, curling, figure skating, the theatre, Rainbow Stage, rural Manitoba, and tending to her flower garden. She loved seeing the first robin and geese of the season.
Barbara had a special love for animals, both her own and those belonging to others. She rescued animals and people alike, always making room in both her home and her heart.
Barbara was a natural leader, a volunteer, and an organizer. Above all, her most important role was as a devoted mother and grandmother.
The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate and loving care provided by
Veronica and Lenora, as well as all of Barbara’s caregivers over the years.
A funeral service was held on March 5, 2026, at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue.
Donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice, Jewish Child and Family Service, or the Winnipeg Humane Society.
Obituaries
WILLIAM (BILL) MARANTZ SEPTEMBER 14, 1935 – NOVEMBER 15, 2025
Sadly, just after his 90th birthday, celebrated with four generations, Zaida Velvel passed away at Deer Lodge Centre following a brief illness.
He grew up in the storied North End mostly on Scotia Street, and it was there at Luxton School and St. John’s Tech that he made many of his lifelong friends.
But the shining star of his life was his beautiful Brenda, his loving wife and soulmate of over 65 years, who passed away in 2023. He was also pre-deceased by his parents Sophie and Frank, his brothers and sisters-in-law Cyril and Irene, Gary and Shirley-Anne, and his daughters-inlaw Andrea and Ruth.
He is survived by his children Josh, Ari (daughter-in-law Ilana), Allan (Jackie) and David; grandchildren Sarah (Chris), Noah (Nahla), Jesse (Lauren), Evan (Maddy), Dan (Tracy), Lauren (Kyle), Tamara (Robin), Ali (Wyatt), Neil; and great-grandchildren, Jack, Isaac, Sadie, Jack, Brandon and London; and nieces, nephews and cousins..
Bill graduated with his law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1960 and after articling, went into private practice.
Bill was a supportive and loving father who always came to watch the boys’ games and helped coach when needed. He and Brenda never tired of watching their sons play sports.
Bill’s eclectic career included time as a lawyer, part-time provincial court judge, movie critic, screenwriter, autobiographer, actor, Jewish Post columnist and novelist.
His most successful writing efforts were radio or screenplays, several of which were produced by CBC, and his self-published novel Christmas Eve Can Kill You.
After early retirement, he continued to write from home, the cottage and Palm Springs where he and Brenda drove to each winter for about 40 years.
Out of all his writing efforts, Bill was most proud of writing the memoir of a local Holocaust survivor.
He had another accomplishment for which he was also extremely proud. Just over three decades ago, Ari and Bill bought an old cottage at Winnipeg Beach and completely rebuilt it. This would become the new family summer home. He and Brenda lovedspending summers out at the beach with family.
For their 50th anniversary, it meant the world to them that all their sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren came in to celebrate at the cottage.
Winnipeg Beach was enjoyed for many, many summers until Brenda could no longer climb the front steps, shortly before becoming housebound. Bill took outstanding care of her as her health declined.
Bill was able to live independently and was driving until just a couple months before his passing. He loved spending time with family at dinners and Jewish holiday celebrations and adored his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren,especially.
He was buried next to his beloved Brenda at Beit Chayim Mikdash Shalom, the Temple Shalom cemetery, with son Allan officiating and grandchildren Noah, Jesse, Evan, Dan, Tamara and Neil serving as pallbearers.
If so desired, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to Camp Massad of Manitoba.