Obituaries
FLORENCE VICKAR
The family of FLORENCE VICKAR, aged 98 years, sadly announce her passing on June 12, 2017.
She leaves behind her children, Larry and Tova Vickar, Reva and Allan Micflikier, Faye Vickar Lazer and Joel Lazer; her grandchildren Sam, Stephen and Marie, Daniel and Heather, Sara and Dorian, Jacob and Alysha, Jilda and Cameron, Sara and Christopher, Lawrence and Szandra; her great grandchildren Mason and Vaughn, Max and Zev, Emi and Greyson, Rin, Noa and Eli, Elliot, Lila and Simone; her sisters-in-law Eve Vickar, Ann Vickar and Gnessie Vickar as well as a large extended family.
After 68 years of marriage, her beloved husband Norman died in 2015 at the age of 98 years. Mom was predeceased by her parents Aaron and Reva Zeitlin, sisters Rose Freedman (Saul) and Minnie Pressman (Morris), and stepmom Rose Zeitlin.
Mom was born in 1919 in Russia and arrived in Canada with her parents and two younger sisters, first to Lipton Colony in Saskatchewan before settling in Winnipeg. In 1947 Mom was introduced to Dad on a blind date and though the first impression was neutral, the second date sealed the deal. They were engaged within three weeks and married a few months later.
Mom and Dad lived in Gronlid, Saskatchewan and by the fall of 1950 they had three children under the age of two. In 1955 we moved to the bigger town of Melfort with the need for school and a Jewish community.
Mom was supportive of Dad’s heavy commitment to business and the community. She was a member of several organizations, most notably studying to become the Worthy Matron of the local Eastern Star. They moved to Regina when Dad was elected MLA for Melfort and stayed for two terms of office. Mom was by his side, fulfilling the role that allowed Dad to succeed.
In 1984 they moved to Winnipeg to be near family. They continued their community involvement, primarily Jewish organizations. They were active attendees at many community events well into their 90’s.
Mom was a good cook and baker. Her Marble Chiffon Cake was featured at many of the Winnipeg neighbourhood children’s birthday parties, in addition to those of her grandchildren. Her cakes came with high expectations; if not perfect they were started again from scratch.
Her other major talent was her green thumb! She knew so much about plants both indoors and out. It was tough for her to relinquish responsibility for her gardens in the last years.
When Dad died in the fall of 2015 Mom missed him dreadfully. She missed her initiator and social planner. They were both people persons, she more quietly than he! Its ironic that heart failure was her final health issue!
Our family is so thankful for the team of caregivers who have been with us every day since the fall of 2012, when Mom was discharged from hospital and Dad insisted on his discharge the same day! Our honorary pallbearers were Josie Ramos, Alicia Ibalio. Clemen Alambra, Emma Manalad, Fatima Dalisay and Lovely Morante. Dad was immediately grateful for their help and Mom grew to appreciate them… Mom taught a couple of them some of her best recipes; blintzes, borscht and Mom’s Marble Cake are now in their repertoire.
In recent months we were fortunate to have a team of visiting nurses from the WRHA Palliative Care program. They were invaluable in their support and guidance to the family and our caregivers, and ensured respectful end of life care for Mom in her own home.
Mom surely hastened to join Dad after her passing! We have a vision of Mom sharing her displeasure with him for his early departure, leaving her behind… then they’ll settle in to that comfortable spot you must get to after 68 years together!
Donations are gratefully accepted to the ‘Norman and Florence Vickar Memorial Fund’ at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 123 Doncaster St., Suite C400, Wpg., Mb. R3N2B2 or a charity of your choice.
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.