Obituaries
GERALD PAUL LEVIN SEPTEMBER 10, 1958 – NOVEMBER 4, 2024
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Gerald Levin, beloved husband of Carol, on November 4, 2024. Gerald was a cherished and devoted partner, and his absence will leave a profound void in the hearts of his wife Carol, his mother Monica, his brothers Martin (Sarena), Roy (Rachel), and Jeff (Tobi), Carol’s family, and his many adoring nieces and nephews, who were always close to his heart. He was predeceased by his father Lou, whose memory he carried with him throughout his life.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Gerald grew up in a busy household with three brothers, and he was a lifelong and proud Winnipegger. The Levins were a tightknit family, and summers at their cottage at Winnipeg Beach created many lasting and cherished memories.
Gerald graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce with honours from the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Commerce in 1980. In 1985 he achieved his Chartered Accountant designation and was admitted into the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba. Gerald’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to found his own company, FPS Consultants, where he proudly dedicated his time and expertise to his numerous clients in Winnipeg as well as rural communities throughout Manitoba. Gerald’s warmth, generosity, and unshakable commitment to his clients made him a beloved figure, known for both his professional acumen and his personal kindness.
Gerald was an avid and skilled horseback rider from an early age. His love of horses would prove serendipitous in him meeting his future wife Carol, another accomplished and enthusiastic equestrian. The two forged an inseparable and loving bond through years of frequent stable visits and trail rides through the Assiniboine Forest and Birds Hill Park. Their mutual adoration for horses was surpassed only by their love for each other, and in 1995 they married. When Carol and Gerald were able to spare time away from their horses, they enjoyed trips to New York and winter get aways to Palm Springs and Florida.
Gerald introduced Carol to the sport of polo, and both became skilled players. Their shared enjoyment and dedication to the game took them to cities across Canada and the United States, and they made many lifelong friends along the way. Gerald’s involvement and support for the game extended off the polo pitch as well, as he served as the Treasurer for the Canadian Polo Association for years. His polo career spanned decades with numerous accomplishments and accolades. He was an internationally ranked player by the United States Polo Association, and he regularly played in international tournaments at both the amateur and professional levels. He was a founding member of the Royal Winnipeg Polo Club, and he helped organize and played in tournaments supporting many charitable causes.
Two highlights of Gerald’s polo career were his recognition by Sports Manitoba as a top amateur athlete from 2005 to 2009, as well as being a finalist in the Canadian Jewish Amateur Athlete of the Year Awards in 2009. Gerald’s passion for the game was unmatched, and he was always keen to share his polo knowledge, experience, and wisdom as a mentor to the younger polo players he met along the way.
Gerald’s athleticism also extended to hockey. Every season he was a regular participant in a league where he always enjoyed going to the rink and playing a game of ‘old time hockey’ alongside his competitive but also fun-loving teammates. When he had time, he loved just skating with stick and puck, at a local outdoor hockey rink with friends, and he derived hours of pleasure from this classic Winnipeg winter pastime. Gerald was not just an avid participant in sports, he was also a lifelong sports fan, and he was a regular attendee at Blue Bomber and Jets games.
Gerald’s Jewish faith was especially important to him, and he was an active member in his congregation at Adas Yeshurun Herzlia Synagogue. He observed all Jewish holidays and Carol and Gerald often hosted celebratory get-togethers at their home. Passover and Rosh Hashanah dinners were always memorable, and invitations to celebrate these holidays were especially coveted, as all family and friends were made to feel welcome and entertained at the Levin table. Gerald loved sharing his knowledge of all the traditional rituals and customs with his guests.
Gerald’s love for life, his infectious joy and humour, and his unwavering support and love for his family and friends will never be forgotten.
Funeral services have taken place, and a private unveiling of a headstone dedicated to his loving memory was held in the summer.
Donations in Gerald’s honour and memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
HARRY KREEL April 9, 1927 – October 20, 2025
It is with profound sadness that the family of Harry Kreel announces his passing on October 20, 2025 at the age of 98 years. He was predeceased by his parents, Ben and Rebecca Kreel; his brothers, Isadore and Boris Kreel; and his beloved wife Myrna, to whom he was married for 68 years.
Left to mourn his passing are his daughter Eileen; his son Darrell (Nicole); and his grandson Benjamin Kreel.
Harry was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan and moved to Winnipeg in his early 20s. He spent his career in education. He was the Director of Special Education for the Winnipeg School Division, Principal of R.B. Russell Vocational School and he also taught in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba.
Our parents loved to travel, and throughout their lives they travelled extensively throughout Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Upon his retirement, he and our mother were able to spend many wonderful winters in Palm Springs, as well as many visits to New York to visit family. The highlight for them was their trip to Israel, which was something they had always wanted to do, and they did.
Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, graveside at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. We would like to express our sincerest thanks to Rabbi Carney Rose for officiating and for delivering a most beautiful and heartfelt service.
To the pallbearers, you know who you are, and we would like to thank you for being there for our father. We would also, at this time, like to thank the wonderful staff of Weinberg I at the Simkin Centre. You treated our father with the utmost kindness, respect, dignity and compassion, and for that we will be forever grateful. And last but certainly not least, to Sheryl, Tia, and Victoria Levine, to Leslie Stokoloff and Joe Lacey, we will be forever grateful for all your love and support during this most difficult time.
Should anyone so desire, donations may be made in our father’s memory to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre or CancerCare Manitoba.
Obituaries
ROSALYN GOLFMAN (née LINHART)
Rosalyn Golfman (née Linhart) passed away peacefully on November 9, 2025, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.
Born and raised in Winnipeg to Jack and Clara Linhart, Roz and her brother Sam grew up with a deep appreciation for education, music, and community. Her father, along with her mother who was an accomplished singer and performer in Jewish plays and on radio, instilled in her a deep appreciation for both hard work and family traditions. The tragedy of the Holocaust, which claimed the majority of her mother’s immediate family, profoundly shaped Rosalyn’s outlook on life, nurturing in her a strong sense of identity, resilience, and commitment to her Jewish heritage.
Growing up in a home filled with music, the aromas of traditional cooking, and the warmth of family celebrations, Roz developed a lifelong connection to her roots. Her devotion to the Jewish community continued throughout her life as she volunteered and chaired various programs at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and served as a member of the National Council of Jewish Women.
Education was one of Rosalyn’s greatest passions. She earned her B.A., M.Ed., a Ph.D. in Psychology, and a Masters in Family Therapy. As a clinical psychologist, Roz worked for 43 years dedicating her career to helping others. Rosalyn also served as President of the Manitoba Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and Chair of its Ethics Committee and taught at various times at the Universities of Manitoba and Winnipeg, and at Red River Community College.
Rosalyn’s greatest devotion was to her husband of more than 60 years, Charles (Chuck) Golfman. Together they traveled the globe and shared a lifetime of love and adventure. Their mutual curiosity led them to explore new places, lectures and forums, always seeking to expand their understanding of people and the world around them. Roz and Chuck raised three children – Jeff (Helen Huang), Lisa (Steve Kroft) and Jill (Mark Kantor). Her grandchildren – Angela, Nathan, Alex and Maya – were her greatest joy, and she cherished every moment spent with them, whether during family dinners, at her beloved Clearwater Bay, or on family trips. Rosalyn’s brother Sam (Judy) was a constant source of support, and the times Roz and Chuck spent with Sam and Judy in Phoenix and Aspen were always highlights for her. Family events with nieces, nephews, her numerous cousins and other relatives were also very special for Roz.
Rosalyn will be remembered for her compassion, intellect and unwavering devotion to family, her friends, and her Jewish faith. The values she instilled in her family will endure through them.
The family wishes to thank the many friends who supported Roz with gentleness, dignity and love. Thank you also to Dr. Marshall Pitz, Kim Paradoski and the caring and talented doctors and caregivers at CancerCare Manitoba and Grace Hospital who assisted Rosalyn and our family during this difficult journey.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rosalyn and Chuck Golfman Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, or to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.
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.