Obituaries
GERRY GURVEY
After a life well-lived Gerald “Gerry” Gurvey died peacefully on December 23, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario.
On March 4, 1923, Gerry was born to Raizel and Aaron Gurvitch on Alfred Avenue in Winnipeg’s iconic North End
Gerry married his beloved Bunny Pinsk in June 1948. He was the extraordinarily proud father of Shelley, Melanie (Wayne) and Brenlee (Allen). Living on Ash Street in Winnipeg, he loved that his household was home to the “Gurvey Girls”
His grandchildren: Kelsey (Matt) and Mac (Jess) Ilexa, Avery and Brady and great grandchildren Sienna and Rory gave Gerry the opportunity to enjoy being a Zaida and Great Zaida. Gerry sparkled in the presence of his grand children, great grandchildren and grand dogs: Abbey and Ten.
Gerry was the youngest of four boys. He was predeceased by brothers Morris, Harry and Syd
as well as sisters/brothers in law Irene, Goldie and Issie, Sadie and Ben, Dora and Len and Anne
He will be remembered with love by his sisters/brothers in laws; Evelyn, Zol and Denny, Mona and Sam, and Harry. Gerry’s many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews have fond memories of Uncle Gerry.
During WWII Gerry enlisted in the RCAF and proudly served his country.
After the war, Gerry worked in the film industry (not as a movie star) as a film distributor.
In 1955 Gerry launched his pivotal career.
“Mr. Gurvey” and Uptown Pharmacy were synonymous as one and the same. The drug store at the corner of Academy and Ash became Gerry’s focus for 25 years. Because he built a strong customer base, everywhere that Gerry went ….he encountered his loyal customers.
Gerry and Bunny travelled all over the world and enjoyed wintering in the South.
Ten years ago, Gerry and Bunny moved to Toronto to be closer to most of their kids.
Over the years Gerry enjoyed several hobbies:
Skating with Bunny at River Heights Community Centre, curling at the Granite Club,
and tending his vegetables, fruit and flowers in uniform rows in his garden.
He was a splendid dancer and he and Bunny amazed people with their stamina and grace on the dance floor.
Gerry loved gadgets, and innovation. He enjoyed tasting novel foods and venturing to new and favourite restaurants
Gerry will be remembered for his smile and his sense of humour.
Most importantly, Gerry adored his wife, Bunny and his Family.
The Family is grateful and appreciative for the exceptional care that Gerry received while he lived in Sunnybrook Veteran’s Centre. Sincere thank you to Dr. David Shergold, Paulette, Stanly, Carolyn and Wes, and the stellar Team on K3E.
Gerry’s Family will always remember Rhea and Mark, as well as Evita and Rayna, who provided devoted and loving care and companionship for Gerry.
In Gerry’s memory, the Family would be honoured if you wish donate to
The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba
Gerry and Bunny Gurvey Fund
jewishfoundation.org
Phone: 204 477 7520
For those of you who may have “borrowed” a chocolate bar or two from Gurvey’s Drug Store, and wish to remember Mr. Gurvey for his kindness, in his memory, please pay it forward.
Obituaries
RHONDA MATIAS

Rhonda Matias (nee Rykiss) passed away peacefully December 31, 2024, in Toronto, surrounded by her children.
Daughter of the late Belle and the late Max Rykiss of Winnipeg. Rhonda was born in Winnipeg on May 3, 1944, and raised in both the North End on Inkster Boulevard and later Cordova Street in Winnipeg’s South End. Her family nickname was Cookie as her father said she had a round face. She moved to Montreal when she was 18, only to be called back to Winnipeg to take care of her ailing mother.
Growing up in an entrepreneurial household, Rhonda was an independent and successful businesswoman. She worked in retail sales for her parents and from her basement, and later was a successful sales rep. Rhonda was a well-known and beloved figure at her own enterprise, A Store is Born, at the Winnipeg International Airport.
She loved fashion and art and followed in her mother and sister’s footsteps of cooking and baking. She read newspapers, kept in close contact with friends and family, stayed in shape and liked to spend time in the sun.
Rhonda relocated to Toronto in 2000 to be closer to family. She made many new friends and nurtured her love for dogs.
She is survived by her children, Debbi-Jo Matias (Kevin Filkow), Marshall Matias (Merav Barr). Bubbi Cookie adored her grandchildren, Mikaela Matias, Jack Matias, Jesse Filkow and Ari Filkow. She is also survived by her brother Bruce M. Rykiss and aunt Fay Rykiss, nieces and nephews, Jodi Sprackman (Paul), Steven Gilletz (Cheryl Lis), Douglas Gilletz (Ariane Cohen). She was predeceased by her son Jeffrey Matias in June 1973.
Funeral services were held at Chesed Shel Emes and Shaarey Zedek Cemetery in Winnipeg on January 2, 2025, Rabbi Kliel Rose presiding, and Shiva was observed in Toronto.
Pallbearers were Kevin Filkow, Jesse Filkow, Jack Matias, Ari Filkow, Bryan Borzykowski and Steven London.
The family wishes to thank her devoted caregivers, especially Michelle Ciego.
Donations may be made to Jewish Foundation of Manitoba – Rhonda Matias Memorial Fund in support of BB Camp, or charity of your choice.
Obituaries
SYBIL RUBIN MARCH 18 1931 – SEPTEMBER 4 2024

Sybil passed on to her next adventure on September 4, 2024 at age 93 1/2.
She was a bright light in many people’s lives, most especially her loving family’s. Sybil lived her values with joy, energy, and purpose. She was always welcoming and inclusive, unwaveringly supportive, loving and optimistic. She volunteered extensively her time and skills with countless community organizations. She thrived on both teaching and learning, presenting celebrated book reviews, as a community presenter on the subjects of Israel and Hanukkah, and developing iconic programs like the Beth El Art Auctions.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Sybil was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba, and was elected to lead her college as Lady Stick of Arts in her senior year. Sybil met Manly Rubin – the love of her life – while in their teens in Winnipeg; they married in 1953. They immediately ventured off to Dublin, Ireland where Sybil earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Trinity College while Manly earned his medical degree. She loved their time in Dublin, which provided opportunities to explore various European countries.
They then moved to a small town in Saskatchewan where they welcomed their three children: Harry, Caron and Rochelle. With relocation to Minneapolis a few years later, Sybil threw her energy into her new community’s programs, her children’s activities, and volunteer opportunities. She remained a voracious reader (participating in three book clubs) and enthusiastic traveler into her 80’s, bringing her family on exotic foreign adventures after Manly passed away in 2010. She always delighted in attending plays, concerts and other performances. Hers was a life well lived.
Sybil is survived by her adoring children, Harry, Caron (Marc Meirovitz) and Rochelle Rubin (Scott Rutzick); sister, Rochelle Pincovich; grandchildren, Colin and Ethan Meirovitz, Shelby Rutzick and Boaz, Amalya and Gilad Rubin, as well as loving nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by husband, Manly Rubin; parents, Sam and Minnie Heft; sister, Connie Robinson; brothers and sister-in-law, Myles Robinson, Leon & Lainy and Jack Rubin and Aurel Pincovic
Obituaries
ISAAC GOTFRIED

Isaac Gotfried passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025 in his 100th year.
Isaac was predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years, Hilda(nee Goldberg) and his brother Bernard. The rest of his birth family perished in the Holocaust.
He is survived by his daughters, Irene Shapira (Gary), Susan Libby Hutton (Christopher), Marla Gaudet (Alan), and Paula Kerr (David); grandchildren, Jared, Laura, Casey (Stephen), Morgan (Marie Michele), Evan, Callum (Sophie) and Rowan; and great-grandchildren, Makenna, Jachin and Bodhi.
Isaac was very proud of the life he made for himself and his family in Winnipeg. He was a devoted family man, a good friend and a hard worker.
Isaac was a survivor. He was in several concentration camps, from ages 15-18, escaping into the woods shortly before liberation. He testified against the Nazis at the Buchenwald trials in Dachau, Germany, in 1947.
After retiring from a very successful career with London Life, he devoted his energy to educating people of all ages and backgrounds about the horrors of the Holocaust by speaking to over 25,000 people at schools, museums and conferences locally and internationally. He was interviewed by newspapers, television, documentarians, and PhD candidates. His legacy has been captured on film, in print and by the Shoah Foundation. He wanted to ensure that the Holocaust was never forgotten. He ended every lecture and interview with the words ‘Never again’.
At the age of 92, Isaac published his memoir ‘Lucky to Survive’ which sold over 1000 copies. At Isaac’s request, all proceeds were donated to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. He was very proud of the book, selling it to everybody he met, even his ambulance attendants.
Isaac loved and was loved and respected by many. He was very sociable, generous, a great story teller, and loved telling a good joke. He was an excellent bridge player, playing at least twice a week right up to his admission to hospital. He was a very intelligent, self-educated man. He loved to travel with Hilda and spend the winters in Florida or Palm Springs.
Thank you to the Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence staff and friends who became such a huge part of his life.
In lieu of flowers, Isaac requested that donations be made to the Jewish Heritage Centre’s Holocaust Education Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
The funeral will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 9:30 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, 561 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg. It will also be live streamed. Shiva will be in the library at The Shaftesbury, 905 Shaftesbury blvd on Friday from 2-4 pm and Saturday from 7-9 pm.
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