Obituaries
GLORIA REMIS BROWN March 2, 1922 – July 6, 2020
With great sorrow, we announce the passing of Gloria Brown on Monday, July 6, 2020 at 98 years of age.
She will be sadly missed by her children, Rhonda Bland, Susan and Bruce Rosner; her grandchildren, Laura Bland, Jeffrey and Karen Bland, Kimi Rosner and Mark Unruh, Adam and Andrea Rosner, Jamie Rosner and Frances Rosner and her great grandchildren, Rory, Sawyer, Georgia and Colette Bland, Sampson Rosner-Unruh, Jill and Max Rosner, and Jude Rosner.
She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Roy Phillip Brown, her parents, Boris and Betty Remis, her brothers, Leonard Remis and Bernard Remis, her sister-in-law, Elaine Remis, and her son-in-law, Dr. Charles Sheldon Bland.
Special appreciation to her devoted caregivers, Esther, Ivy, Daisy, Amor, Jeanette, Odessa, Liza 1, Liza 2, Nelia, and her nurse, Jan.
Gloria was born in Winnipeg and grew up at 260 Manitoba Avenue. She attended the Peretz School and graduated from St. John’s Tech High School in 1939, and from the University of Manitoba, School of Interior Design, Faculty of Architecture, in 1942. Interior Design was a new program at the University and Gloria was in the second graduating class. She was awarded two scholarships while a student there.
She met and started dating her future husband, Roy, in the spring of 1943. He was a physician, practicing in Gladstone, Manitoba at the time. They were introduced by Roy’s sister, Sadie Stein. They were able to see each other when he came into the city on weekends and in between, they wrote letters. It was wartime, and courtships were short. They were married on October 5, 1943. They honeymooned in New York City, and when they returned they created their first home together in Gladstone. Roy was the only physician for miles around and Gloria learned to become a homemaker par excellence. She was already an accomplished seamstress, but now she honed her culinary and baking skills for her husband and his bachelor farmer friends.
They welcomed their two daughters in 1944 and 1947. And in late autumn, 1947, they moved back to Winnipeg, where they purchased a home on Brock Street in River Heights and Roy commenced his practice at Sargent and Spence.
They joined Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Gloria became involved in the Sisterhood, National Council of Jewish Women and Hadassah, where she was President of her chapter.
In 1953, Gloria and Roy built a new home on Waterloo Street, and in 1959, they built their cottage on Falcon Lake. Summers at the lake were wonderful and created memories that have been elevated in the family lore.
Together they moved to Rochester, NY in 1966, where Roy became a Resident in Radiology. Wherever life took her, Gloria was supportive of her husband’s endeavours. During those years, she called Roy her student prince.
Upon completion, they moved to Toronto where they lived in Willowdale and again, Gloria adapted, reached out, became involved and made new friends.
They sailed the Glory B from the Island Yacht Club on Lake Ontario. She was a volunteer at the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art. She became an avid bridge player. Gloria and Roy were enthusiastic supporters of the symphony and ballet. Gloria loved to travel and during those years she and Roy had many wonderful trips.
Her interest in ceramics led her to study pottery for many years.
Gloria was accepted at the Ontario College of Art and in 1986, she graduated with a Diploma in Design. When she started the program, she was a ceramicist, but, by the time she completed the course, she was designing and constructing beautiful furniture. She was an older returning student in her class, but that didn’t deter her from making very good friendships with classmates younger than her own children.
Gloria and Roy returned to Winnipeg in 1994, necessitated by Roy’s illness. She was by his side until he passed in 2000. The foundation of her devotion was their long shared history of love, admiration and respect for each other.
Gloria will be remembered by her family as a woman who blended tradition with the changing world. She had a clear and insightful intellect. Her loving and loyal dedication to her family was reciprocated abundantly.
Through her life, she sewed beautiful pieces, first for herself and then later for her daughters, grandchildren. and great grandchildren. But the most wonderful thing she stitched was the tapestry of our family – weaving each and every generation and each and everyone of us into the whole.
She will be forever missed.
Funeral services were held at Shaarey Zedek Memorial Park on July 8, 2020.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Roy Phillip Brown and Gloria Brown Medical Entrance Scholarship, Award #25532, University of Manitoba, give.umanitoba.ca, 204-474-9195, or a charity of donor’s choice.
Obituaries
ROSE KNIGHT(nee Yager) MAY 18, 1929 – NOVEMBER 28, 2025
Rose Knight ( nee Yager) passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025 in Winnipeg surrounded by family.
Rose was a petite woman who was larger than life. A firecracker. A personality. A glam queen. And a beauty.
She was born in Drohobych Poland in 1929 and came to Canada in 1934 the age of five. Her story is typical of many people of that era who left Eastern Europe seeking a better life. Her aunt Lena had pioneered the move to Canada as a young woman, later, sponsoring Rose’s father. He arrived first, leaving his wife, Sara, daughters Bess and Rose and son Joe. Through years of hard work, the family saved to reunite in Winnipeg, settling in the north end with humble beginnings on Alfred Avenue until her father and uncle purchased Crust Furrier and moved into anapartment behind the shop.
When she was 18 or 19, she started a job as a secretary where she met her future husband; the boss, “Solomon” (Sol) . She settled into the life of being a married lady and homemaker with three children under the age of five by the time she was 26. She raised three children Paul (Debbie), Marcia (Ira), Alan (Brenda).
Family was everything to Rose. And as in every family, the children, grandchildren Josh (Abby), Michael (Ashley) Sarah (Emmy), Sean (Lana) Sara (David), Sal and great-grandchildren Mikaela, Kendrik, Mila, Saul, Louis, Solomon, and Sonnie were the topping on the cake. Her home included her mother Sara, for years following the early death of Rose’s father.
Family extended to include her three nieces Marla, Maureen and Debbie who lost their mother when they were very young ; with weekly Friday night dinners, sleepovers, and weekends. When her brother Joe remarried, the family grew to include his additional family of Edith, Jerry, Libby and Mardy. Rose’s sister Bess Hendler (Dave) and family, Marvin and Mark, moved to Los Angeles. The distance did not diminish the closeness between the families which included travel for visits regularly and for all family celebrations. Rose was also very close with Sol’s sisters Adele Borg (Willie) until their early passing and sister Ruth Silverberg (Stan) and Joe; and including multiple generations of Sol’s uncles, aunts and cousins who resided in Toronto.
Rose was a brilliant cook as were her mother and sister. The three of them were to food what the three tenors were to music. They created a culture of food in her home long before there was such a thing as ‘foodies’ . Rose was the inspiration and food teacher to her daughter, nieces, and grandson. Her home was always open and included family and friends; friends of the children, friends of the grandchildren and friends of the friends of the children and the grandchildren. Or simply put there was always room for one more at the table.
Rose was deeply involved community. Rose and Sol were founding partners of their synagogue,the Herzlia-Adas Yeshuran, and its day school.
Rose served as president of the sisterhood, organized, fundraisers, and participated in synagogue theatre productions. She was involved in both Hadassah and ORT organizations and the community outreach programs.
Rose was beloved in the family neighbourhood of Niagara Street where children played outside from dawn until dusk in community shared yards. She was a fixture calling for the children to come in for bedtime and supper and fostered the close-knit community of neighbourhood and outdoor play.
Rose was passionate about beauty and culture. She loved fashion, makeup, design, tableware, music, movies, all things Broadway and art. She had opened an art gallery on Selkirk Avenue and when the gallery closed she worked at the Eaton’s art gallery on the seventh floor. She loved people, their stories and laughter.
Rose was flirtatious and uplifting. She brightened vibes with compliments like. ‘you are gorgeous’ to those around her. She embodied values of family, community, generosity, and joy, echoing the values and teachings from Pirkei Avot ‘If I am not for myself, who am I? If I am only for myself what am? If not now, when?’ Rose was an inspiration in these ways and more.
Sadly dementia robbed her of her life. There are two deaths with dementia. The death of a personand later the death of the body.
Rose was pre-deceased by her beloved husband Sol, her parents, Sara and Morris Yager, both her’s and Sol’s siblings.
We are thankful to Rose’s dedicated caregivers over the years, including most recently Liza, Odette, Antonio, the staff at the Shaftsbury and Simkin Centre and the doormen at 180 Tuxedo for their early support.
Donations in Rose’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice, or suggested to the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre’s Sol and Rose Knight Fund, which honours Rose’s passions for art, culture, music, beauty and Jewish life.
Obituaries
Charlton Gavriel Garland
August 10, 1984 – January 14, 2026
Beloved and devoted husband of Katrina Bittner, proud and loving father of Logan, Mia, and Luke
Son of Marshall and Gail Garland
Son-in-law to Norbert and Carolyn Bittner
Brother to Gideon (Bracha), Matthew (Leah), and Josepha (Adam)
Uncle, nephew, cousin, Charlton Gavriel, z”l, loved his family and loved being with family and friends. Many people commented on his big welcoming smile, good humour and non-judgmental attitude, his tendency from early childhood to help out, how he stood up against bullying, and how much fun it was to be with him. Day camp, picnics, Purim carnivals, Shabbatons benefited. Bartender, then shift supervisor at the Green Brier were on-the-job steps towards his dream of owning his own bar.
Charlton Gavriel’s family was everything to him. Nothing was as dear to him as spending time with his wife and children. His biggest distress was inability to take care of them. He endured so much to keep going as long as he could. They were his greatest love.
These last five years have been very difficult, at times very hopeful and at times almost unbearable with the pain of each chemo, each side effect, and ever increasing weakness.
Sincere thanks for all the love, prayers, anecdotes, photos, things that made us all laugh during these long years.
Heartfelt thanks to far-flung family, to all who came to visit, who helped make visits possible, who ensured Charlton Gavriel, z”l, was surrounded with love and support to the end. He was awake, aware, and acknowledging during his final hours. He passed painlessly and at peace, for which we all are very grateful.
Special thanks to JCFS, Auntie Michelle, and the staff at Concordia Hospital and at Riverview.
Special thanks to Rabbi Altein, Rabbi Benarroch, Rabbi Charytan, and Rabbi Heidingsfeld.
Pallbearers:
Gideon, Marshall, Matthew, and Max Garland
Daniel Saidman
Kas Kuropatwa
Those wishing to help support Charlton Gavriel’s, z”l, family can be in touch with Katrina, Marshall, or Gail for details on how to donate.
Gavriel Garland, you made the world a wonderful place.
Obituaries
SAMUEL SEARLE October 29, 1930 – December 1, 2025
Our dear father, Sam, passed away on December 1, 2025, after a long, rich life of 95 years.
Dad shared almost 67 of those years with our dear mother, his beloved wife, Betty, who predeceased him in April of 2024. Sam was also predeceased by his parents, Dora and David Cirulnikov; three of his four older sisters, Bernice Brownstone, Marion Toffick, Luba Sitchin, and their respective spouses; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Doreen and Garry Shapera.
He is survived by his children Sharna, Lorne (Barbara) and Beverlee (Barry); grandchildren Evan, Aaron, Jamie and Matthew; sister Eve Blank; many nieces and nephews who adored him and for whom he was Uncle Sammy; several cousins; and many friends and former colleagues. All delighted in his company.
Sam was the youngest and only son in a family of five children. His parents emigrated from Russia in the late 1920s with his three oldest sisters. Eve was born shortly after they arrived in Canada and Sam in 1930. The family lived in Winnipeg’s North End and Sam attended public schools and the Talmud Torah night school. During the summers, and part-time throughout the years while continuing his education, he worked as a short order cook at both the Silver Grill Restaurant and Arcade Deli. Dad made his legendary, piled-high sandwiches into his eighties!
After graduating high school from St. John’s Tech, Sam was accepted into the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba, and ultimately went on to enjoy a very accomplished career as a partner with MMP, a major local architectural firm, and later, as a founding partner/developer with Duraps Corporation and Pine Hill Development Corp. In a career that spanned almost half a century, Sam made his mark on the landscape of Winnipeg and other North American cities, having been involved in the design and construction of private residences, schools, concert halls, fire halls, university and government buildings, and the development of condominiums, residential subdivisions, shopping centres and industrial land.
In addition to his professional life, Sam was also a dedicated community volunteer. A long-standing member of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg North, Dad was awarded Rotary International’s highest honour, the Paul Harris Fellow medallion, for his contributions and service to the organization. He also served on the board of the Rosh Pina Synagogue for several terms and was a charter member of the Bel Acres Golf & Country Club.
Dad was also a talented, and ambidextrous, artist, a curler, green thumb, dapper dresser and terrific dancer. He and Betty always lit up a dance floor!
Sam shared a wonderfully rich family life with Betty. Married in 1957, they moved four years later into the mid-century modern masterpiece that Sam designed for them in Garden City (a then new, north end Winnipeg neighbourhood) and in which they remained throughout their entire marriage. The house magically expanded and contracted as needed and saw its share of fabulous parties, Passover Seders and a multitude of family simchas and other joyous gatherings. As parents, they were loving, excellent role models who encouraged strong family connections. As grandparents, Zaida Sam and Bobbie Betty were the best – adoring, proud, involved and a lot of fun!
Locally, Sam and Betty enjoyed attending the symphony, chamber music and jazz concerts, the opera, the Folk Festival and the theatre. Their worldly travels took them to Mexico, Israel, China, Cuba, Europe, the Caribbean and North American camping trips and ski holidays. Closer to home, their cottage in Gimli (Loni Beach), MB, was a focal point for family and friends every summer.
Our father was a man of unwavering integrity, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye and a generosity of spirit. Respected and respectful, Sam Searle was a great guy, a real mensch. He will be deeply missed.
The last year and four months of Dad’s life were spent at the Simkin Centre. Sharing an ice cream and a smile, singing with him, particularly at the “Friday Night Lights” Shabbat service, were precious moments.
Sam passed away peacefully at the Grace Hospital. We are grateful for the care and kindness provided by the staff at both institutions. A heartfelt thank you, as well, to Sharon Merrells, the ultimate “Sam whisperer,” for her years of care and dedication, especially over those last challenging 16 months.
The graveside funeral service, held on December 4, 2025, at the Rosh Pina Memorial Park, was warmly officiated, on a freezing morning, by Rabbi Kliel Rose. The pallbearers were grandchildren Evan, Aaron and Jamie Searle and Matthew Pearl, son-in-law Barry Pearl and great nephew Gavin Shapera.
Donations may be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba’s “Betty & Sam Searle Memorial Fund” or to a charity of your choice.