Obituaries
HENNY PARITZKY (nee WOLF)
Unexpectedly, our mother, Henny Paritzky, passed away on August 25, 2021, at the age of 94. She was predeceased by her devoted husband Abraham and her sister Branka and is survived by her three children, Ron (Esther), Gilead, and Rachel (Blair), and her seven grandchildren.
Born in Poland in 1927, Henny and her family moved to Holland several years later for a better life. Little did she know that her happy childhood with her younger sister Branka would end with the war, the invasion of Holland, the imposition of restrictions, and eventually the deportation of the Jewish population to concentration camps.
Henny, Branka, and their loving parents survived the war through the kindness of strangers, incredible luck and quick-wittedness, and her father’s planning. They never made it to Switzerland as planned, but were able to remain in France by masquerading as Protestants. Almost all of her relatives were not so lucky and perished.
The lessons of the war were not lost on our mother, who chose to focus on the acts of those who helped her family survive. This is what informed her post-war life. She learned how to smile again and almost every picture of her includes her beautiful smile.
Several years after the war, Henny went to study at Hebrew University in the newly established state of Israel. There she met the love of her life, Abraham, a university student (and dashing reservist). They married in 1951 and after several years in Israel, where their son Ron was born, Henny and Abraham moved to Winnipeg where both were beloved Hebrew and Judaic studies educators and active members of the Jewish community. In Winnipeg, their family grew with the arrival of their son Gilead and daughter Rachel.
Henny had a long and very meaningful career in Jewish education as a teacher and then as a principal. Teaching was her passion and it showed. Her secret? A genuine interest in each and every student, many of whom remained in touch with her decades later.
Our mother had many other passions and interests in her life. She spoke six, or was it seven, languages fluently, and when she and her sister spoke, they flitted from language to language without stopping to take a breath, other than to puff on their cigarettes. After retirement, she even occasionally worked as an interpreter.
Henny was a voracious reader and typically had a half dozen on the go at a time. She was a facilitator for reading groups and told us she recently received a small honorarium from one such group and that being capable of receiving it in her 90s meant more than her salary as a principal.
She often spoke publicly about her experiences in the war including on panels and at various schools. She believed it was her obligation as a survivor to teach young people about the lessons to be learned from her experiences.
She had a marvellous, self-deprecating sense of humour. Last year as she was struggling with her walker, she started laughing out loud and said “Oh my, I’m walking like…walking like…an old woman”. She especially enjoyed laughing at the results of her cooking and, brilliant woman that she was, never even tried to bake after her first few mishaps. A loving mother, mother-in-law, Oma, and friend, she is forever in our hearts and will be deeply missed.
The family has been overwhelmed by the expressions of sympathy from friends and the community at large, many of which came from former students who treasured their memories of Henny as a very special teacher.
Donations in memory of Henny may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Obituaries
Dr. VELIMIR KON B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Sc., Ph.D. September 18, 1950-June 27, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Velimir Kon, or Shlomo, beloved husband of Branka and father of Deborah and Lea. Velimir was an accomplished teacher and academic, and he was renowned for his intellectualism, humility and humanity.
A gentle soul who was always sociable and who genuinely loved people, Velimir was equally at home in the university classroom as a professor and as a secondary school Biology, Chemistry and Math teacher in Northern Ontario (Big Trout Lake) and Manitoba (God’s River, Berens River). Velimir made a difference to many First Nations students throughout a career that spanned decades. He was dedicated to his students, colleagues and family. An adept and talented pianist, Velimir enjoyed the arts and of course Jewish humour. He was an avid shul goer and supporter of Israel and enjoyed his duties in shul as a Kohayn. Velimir was a man of faith who was able to fuse his love of science and Judaism.
Born in Croatia, Europe (the former Yugoslavia) to Shoah survivors Rose (Rochel, ne Lederer) and Arnold Kon (Ariel), Velimir immigrated to Canada with his wife and girls in 1988, making many personal sacrifices along the way to ensure a peaceful and safe life for his family. Adaptability and optimism characterized Velimir. Known for his heart of gold, Velimir touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. A love of Jewish values, family values and life-long learning and education characterized Velimir. With his charming, outgoing and friendly personality, Velimir welcomed everyone into his life and into our home.
His kindness, humour, generosity and goodness will be deeply missed by his family and friends in Winnipeg, Victoria, B.C., Guelph, ON, Osijek, Croatia, Belgrade, Serbia, Los Angeles and Boston, U.S.A., and Israel, Jerusalem, Haifa and Karmiel. Baruch Dayan Haemet.
A traditional funeral was held on June 30, 2025 at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can still be made to Chabad Lubavitch of Winnipeg, B’nai Brith or the JNF.
Velimir will be forever missed and cherished by Branka, Deborah and Lea.
Obituaries
ELAINE BEVERLEY KAPLAN
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our sister and aunt, Elaine Kaplan. She died on June 24, just a month shy of her 69th birthday.
She was diagnosed with lung cancer 15 months ago, and was given about six months to live, which she was able to exceed with great courage and determination.
Elaine was predeceased by our father Phil Kaplan and mother Bess Kaplan. She is survived by her brothers Gerry (Nancy Hughes), Allan (Rennie) and Sheldon (Mona), along with her nieces and nephews.
Elaine was able to remain at home up until a few days prior to her passing at the St. Boniface Hospital, which was her wish. She was employed by the Canada Revenue Agency for the majority of her career. She loved nature and was devoted to feeding the neighbourhood squirrels and birds. She also adopted and cared for many rescue rabbits over the years. Her family was important to her, and she loved attending family weddings and barbecues.
Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to a pet rescue of your choice.
Obituaries
ALAN KLUNER
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Alan Kluner passed away on July 11, 2025 at the young age of 66. Alan had a very good life despite some ongoing health challenges he met head on for the majority of his life. He loved family and was a very kind and loving son, brother and uncle.
Born in Winnipeg, Alan developed a small but close circle of friends he maintained for many years. His passions were following his sports teams (Jets, Vikings, Bombers) and attending numerous rock concerts.
Alan is survived by his oldest brother Martin (Reesa), his sister-in-law Hanna, his four nephews and nieces Mickey (Stephanie), Corey (Sean), Zev (Kristen), Elana (Danny), and his great-nephews and great-nieces Mason, Lucy, Nora, Remy and Enzo.
He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Phyllis, brother Kerry, and uncle Alvin Mantell.
Alan’s funeral service was graveside at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on Tuesday July 15, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were: Martin Kluner, Mickey Kluner, Corey Kluner, Elana Kluner, Henry Goldfeld, and Alan Levine. Honorary pallbearer was Albert Yanofsky.
For those who wish, donations in Alan’s memory may be made to Diabetes Canada or the charity of your choice.