Obituaries
HARVEY I. POLLOCK, K.C.
Harvey was engrained prairie Manitoban, distinctly north end/ south end Winnipeg urban, and Whiteshell Canadian Shield strong. Each day he awaited sunrise to swing out of bed, activate his personality and engage in the enterprise he knew best: living his life. He loved his life; a gift. And he lived each day as if it were his last. Vibrant and enthusiastic, nothing about Harvey’s youthful 89-year presence was limited nor unadventurous. He never retired; he never unretired. He planned to be in his law office for Monday morning faceoff. But on Sunday, February 5, 2023, that old Yiddish adage “Mann Tracht, Un Gott Lacht”, Man plans and God laughs, knocked. He was a good man deserving a painless peaceful passage in the comfort of his bed. Receiving a gentle kiss from God, he was gone.
This fourth child of Russian Jewish escapee immigrants was born April 10, 1933, at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Salter Street in Winnipeg. He was raised in Bethany, a child of the prairie, picking rocks off fields, bouncing uncontrollably on the metal tractor seat, absorbing blond wheatfields in the blue and fire open sky horizon. He attended country school. He loved his horse, Barney. He observed commerce, his father peddling eggs, furs and seneca root and marketing cattle and hogs. A country store was purchased as well as land to farm.
On February 5, 1944, while his father stayed behind to continue the cattle business and farming, the rest of the Pollock family relocated to north end Winnipeg. Better educational opportunities awaited. Harvey became a student at Machray School and St. John’s Tech. He was fun, active, with no mean spirit. Respect for teachers and authority figures was a life-long transmitted value. His currency was respect. He was invited into the “Trojans” club at the YMHA and made meaningful enduring friendships.
During university, Harvey worked the trains as a sleeping car conductor for CPR, Winnipeg to Calgary. He banked his cheques, spent his tips. Upon finishing his return route, he would hop the train and whistle the rails to Regina where he courted his soulmate, Sylvia Friedman, marrying on December 28, 1954.Their life together was a love story.
Having graduated from the University of Manitoba Law School in 1957, receiving his call to the Bar in 1958, Harvey served as counsel to the Children’s Aid Society of Winnipeg, worked for Hart Green Sr. and Jr., and opened his own firm in 1960. Harvey and Sylvia opened their home to unwed pregnant teenagers. Harvey found loving homes for beautiful babies. For years, Harvey drove Highway 1 west to Portage la Prairie, Thursdays at the Greenberg law firm. In the early 1960s, representing a client charged with Murder 1, thirty-something Harvey during cross examination extracted a compulsion in the chief witness to admit to the murder. A moment better than Perry Mason as this real-life client would have been executed.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood identified Harvey to champion the legal rights of First Nation Peoples. He was a legal pioneer acting resolutely in countless matters, empathetically with a view to creating meaningful change for coming generations. Talmudic justice coursed through Harvey’s belief system. Wrongs were to be righted and constitutional challenges governing hunting and fishing were now in the courts. Harvey was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1970, designated now as King’s Counsel. In 1971 Harvey had the great privilege of being made an Honourary Chief of all First Nations Bands in Manitoba. He was given and proudly received the name, “Si-Naki-Tonem”, he who interprets difficult meanings.
Access to justice was Harvey’s calling card. When J.J. Harper was shot and killed on March 9, 1988, his brother-in-law Harry Wood said, “Get me Harvey”. The Wasagamac Community had its warrior and to war went Harvey. Five words of which he knew the answer, “Did you fingerprint the gun?” set off his firestorm of representation as he cut through complexities in the wild jungle of cover-up and thereafter suffered personal victimization by police personalities seeking revenge for his excellence. He became a media darling. Inquest, Aboriginal Inquiry, civil lawsuit, LERA prosecution, Hugh’s Commission. Perseverance, fortitude, stomach. A book was spawned, “The Shooting Death of JJ Harper” and a television movie where he was prominent lawyer protagonist. The authorities who had attacked him suffered well-deserved criticism. He was “Tuffy”, true to his grade 9 nickname.
For six decades the courtroom was Harvey’s workshop. He was guided by a moral and professional compass. He came home for six o’clock dinner at 427 Boreham Blvd., conveyed material facts and circumstances of cases, and sought ‘learned opinions’ from his school-age children. He was setting the table for the future of his firm. Following dinner, he ritually rested, kissed and hugged his bride, and then returned to his command center to type his own documents and prepare for the next day’s court appearance.
Harvey was a litigator who genuinely cared about his clients. He made time for everyone regardless station in life. He was a centrist thinker. From a silver tongue his word was golden. A handshake was his professional passport. He maintained a profound respect for the courts, judges, law society, colleagues, and the police. He believed in law, order, and civility.
He was dapper in 3-piece suits, Dack shoes, at times topped by fedora. As part of his dapper, he used fountain pens and a blotter to sign letters and documents. Old school. He wore through dictaphones and tapes. He enjoyed having teeming thoughts recorded shorthand but as time travelled digital, he modified; the personal computer, voice activated dictation, iPad and iPhone becoming his techno-frenemies.
Harvey possessed a unique musical talent, his whistling. His instrument was a high pallet and controlled swirl of wind beckoned from unblemished lungs, tunneled through pursed lips. Perfect pitch in the pasture to an audience of cows, on the farm roads, in the school yard, on the streets of north end Winnipeg. Before hitting it big, with Romeo Champagne, he formed the Lipsomaniacs and performed while in university. Harvey practiced until his lips were chapped. Classical music was his acoustic comfort. In 1977 he won the first World’s Whistling Competition in Carson City, Nevada. That accomplishment led to the National Film Board production, “It’s A Hobby For Harvey” and thirty years later, “The Whistling Lawyer” (https://vimeo.com/63325043), and an album. Whistling also led Tuffy to some film work, television appearances, performances with the Winnipeg, Toronto and Bismarck Symphony Orchestras, and countless Manitoba small town fairs and variety shows. But the pinnacle moment in Harvey’s musical career came in 2003 when he had the privilege to guest conduct the WSO in full performance at an evening in his honour.
Harvey was a proud member of his Judaic Tribe. He was complex, skeptical of the address to whom he prayed. When asking his own father at a young age if he believed in a higher being the retort of wisdom came: “It couldn’t hurt.” But Harvey did hurt; on November 13, 1982 losing his 22-year-old son to a drunk driver, on November 30, 2009, losing his 54-year-old daughter and on August 31, 2011, his beloved wife. Work was his medicine. Family, friendships, the collegiality of the legal profession buoyed him from potential crumpling. Harvey was resilient, granite strong.
Sylvia and Harvey were fun; a healthy social circle of friends, they lived, danced, and attended myriad life cycle events. Together they attended the symphony, opera, and theatre. With children, Karyn, Martin and Nathan, memorable summers were Manitoba lived, Falcon Lake and West Hawk Lake. Yard work at his summer cottage, horseback riding, tennis, golf, reading, playing cards, perfecting barbequing skills, operating his twin engine power catamaran, and socializing punctuated time away from legal service.
Harvey was a functional diner, fuel to power his plant. Whatever the dish, be it Chinese or Italian cuisine, grilled rack of lamb, hamburgers,
or a Saturday schmaltz herring out of the barrel, his afterburn was the omnipotent proclamation, “this is the best… ever”.
For Harvey, being a loving, good, and responsible husband and father, devoted son, brother, in-law, cousin, uncle, and friend were deep in his DNA. He was proud to be a Pollock and a Friedman by proxy. His lifelong friendships were rich, cultured, and true.
In mourning are: son, Martin Pollock (Lori Hunter), son-in-law Daniel Globerman (Diane Ducas), brother Gordon Pollock, sister Cecile Kowall’ (Monte), grandsons Ethan, Jesse and Jayden Pollock, grandsons Adam (Dobrochna) and Noah (Samantha) Globerman, granddaughter Simmie Globerman (Kevin Minuk). Harvey was blessed to have great-grandchildren and will be missed by Saul, Mila, Kara, Max, and Sonny. Harvey also leaves to mourn sisters-in-law Pearl Kredentser and Lynne Pollock (Mischa). Harvey was predeceased by sister Myra Kravetsky and brother Mischa, brothers-in-law Lloyd Friedman (Lola), and Sam Friedman (Jean), sisters-in-law Faye Wasel (Harry), and Mimi Pollock.
Funeral services were held at the Chesed Shel Emes on Thursday, February 9, 2023, Rabbi Anibal Mass officiating, the Last Brief delivered by Martin followed by Jayden’s tribute on behalf of the grandchildren. The mitzvah of casket escort was performed by Zaida Harvey’s grandchildren. Interment occurred at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
To those who congregated at the funeral service, to those who attended online and to those who have reached out by email, text messaging, voicemail and by other means, Harvey’s family thank you for your support. The family also extends gratitude to Estelle Raber of Shaarey Zedek, and to Rena Boroditsky and Sheldon Kaminsky of Chesed Shel Emes, and the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery workers who, with dignity and caution, assisted the family tucking in the blanket of earth for eternal rest.
Donations may be made to a charity of 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.