Obituaries
HOWIE BLATT
It is with heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Howie Blatt, with his loving family at his side, on October 10, 2024, at St. Boniface Hospital, after a very brief lymphoma cancer.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Cathy Dearden, his sons, David (Seri) Blatt and Josh (Karlee Rosenberg) Blatt, and granddaughters, Hannah and Maya Blatt.
He is remembered with love by his brother, Arnie (Sura-Fraida) Blatt in Minnetonka. He is also remembered by brother-in-law Craig Dearden (Cathy Boase) in Fairmont Hot Springs. Several nieces and nephews have fond memories of dear “Uncle Howie”. He was predeceased by his parents, Philip and Anne Blatt; his sister, Sandy Goldstein; his first wife, Faye Blatt; in-laws, Ted and Estelle Saunders, and Ed and Lois Dearden.
Howie was born February 25, 1944 and grew up in the north end of Winnipeg. He spent summers at Winnipeg Beach, and enjoyed tennis, fishing and boating. As a teenager, he started going fishing at Lake of the Woods, where his father was born and raised. Shortly after getting his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Winnipeg, he married his first wife, Faye Saunders. In 1969, they welcomed their son, David, and one month later, Faye passed away.
Howie was an exceptional father, raising David on his own. They went to Jets games, the lake, and whether they stayed in a tent, a trailer, a cabin, or eventually on their sailboat, OVERDRAFT, they had a wonderful, fun-filled time.
In 1981 he married Cathy Dearden, and in 1984, their son, Josh, was born. The family of four continued their busy life with the boys playing hockey and golf, going to Jets games, summers at Fantasy Island, travel, ski trips, and so on.
Howie had a successful career at Great-West Life as a life insurance and investment advisor. He and his family attended numerous sales conventions. He made it a priority to balance his professional life with quality family time.
He dabbled in a few restaurants and was always a “foodie”. He loved helping his friends find the best places to eat their favourite foods. He was always available to lend a helping hand or offer advice on various topics. His friends and their kids loved him.
He played squash and was a member of the Winnipeg Squash Racquet Club for many years, serving as president in 1995-1996.
Family was EVERYTHING to Howie. He always had time for family dinners, sharing recipes, TRADITIONS, and celebrating all special holidays. Extended family gatherings with “Mishpacha” were very important to him.
Howie was so proud of his sons. He was thrilled when David married Seri, and he soon became a grandfather to Hannah and Maya. He loved spending time with “his girls”, especially at the lake.
He had a wonderful time introducing Karlee to lake life traditions when she came into Josh’s life. And he knew which wedding dress she picked!
Two places dear to his heart were Fantasy Island at Lake of the Woods and Windstar in Naples, Florida. Barbecues, boating and fishing in the summer; cycling, pickleball, boating and eating oysters and key lime pie in the winter.
Howie has left a huge hole in our hearts, but he has left us with so many good memories and “Howie-isms”, such as “The faintest ink is better than the best memory”, “Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda”, “Health, Happiness, and Cashflow” and many more. He taught us to laugh, to do what is right, and always stay positive. He had a heart of gold.
The family acknowledges the professional team at St. Boniface Hospital, 4th floor and the ICU, and especially the hematology team.
Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Grant Goldberg, Dr. Richard Blouw, and the entire team at Access Fort Garry for their compassionate and professional care over many years.
Howie’s funeral was held October 15 and can be viewed on the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue website, www.szwinnipeg.ca
Donations may be made in Howie’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, www.cancer.ca, designating your donation to non-Hodgkin lymphoma research, or should you prefer, the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation, www.lwdhf.com
Obituaries
KEVIN PAUL STEINBERG June 1, 1967 – October 29, 2025
It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Kevin Steinberg (O’Neil) on October 29, 2025 at the age of 58 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He will be forever remembered by his mom Donna, sister Debbie (Marc), brother Jeff (Jocelyn), nieces and nephews, Josh (Dena), Zach, Samantha (Sean), Jaidyn, Jordyn, Jilliyn, Jayson and great-nephew Benny, his aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends across Winnipeg, Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Palm Springs and beyond. Kevin was predeceased by his dad Eddie and stepdad Ernest.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Kevin moved to Toronto at 19 years of age. He attended Ryerson Theatre School and quickly earned his Equity and ACTRA cards. After winning the U.S. Green Card Lottery he moved to Los Angeles. Within a couple of years he appeared on Seinfeld, Frasier, Married with Children and more. He later worked behind the scenes in TV and film. Kevin also had a great job in catering and told fun stories of the famous people he worked for in L.A.
In 2006 Kevin returned home to Winnipeg, where he continued acting and design. He later moved back to Toronto to join a design firm. It was there he was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, a rare head and neck cancer. Despite his diagnosis, Kevin lived fully – auditioning, writing and travelling. During COVID he launched a podcast – Everyday Heroes. He also shared cooking videos, learned to sketch and kept creating. Kevin thrived, inspiring everyone around him with his resilience, humour and zest for life. Kevin always lived “in the moment”, he embraced life as it came. He will be remembered for his creativity, humour, courage and the joy he brought to everyone around him.
The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Hochman, CancerCare Manitoba, Lisa and the whole team at Palliative Care, Rabbi Matthew Leibl, Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and MAID.
Kevin requested that donations be made to the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation www.accrf.org
Obituaries
Howard Lorne Tennenhouse March 7, 1956 – October 16, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Howard (Howie) Lorne Tennenhouse. He passed away on October 16, 2025, after a courageous ten-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Howie fought with every ounce of strength and determination he had.
Born on March 7, 1956, Howie earned his BA from the University of Winnipeg in 1976 and his law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1979. While attending the University of Manitoba, he met his devoted partner, Susan. After dating for five years they were married on November 14, 1982. Susan and Howie supported one another throughout their life together, and she stood by his side with unwavering devotion until the very end.
Howie was the proud father of three daughters and sons-in-law, Lauren (Jesse), Ellie (Evan), and Shira (Gideon) and the adoring Zaida How, to Jack, Joey, Charlotte (Charlie), and Brandon (Bran). He is also survived by his two sisters, Judy Mahon (and her family) and Penny Tennenhouse (Bill). Howie’s family was his greatest joy and the center of his world, and to his family he was a fierce protector and the most enthusiastic supporter.
Outside of his love for family, Howie’s heart belonged in Israel. He took immense pride in seeing the love of Israel and Jewish traditions passed down from his parents to his children and grandchildren.
Howie’s funeral was held on Sunday , October 19, 2025 at the Etz Chayim Synagogue with burial at the Rosh Pina Cemetery. Thank you to Rabbi Kliel Rose and to the pallbearers Morley Hoffman, Alden Hoffman, Joey Pollock, Harvey Oman, Evan Reinblatt, and Jesse Marantz. A big thank you to the doctors at Cancer Care Manitoba who worked tirelessly to care for Howie, and the incredible team at the Riverview Palliative Ward. A special heartfelt thank you to Dr. Qamar for her devotion to Howie. Your care and kindness meant the world to the entire family.
Donations in Howie’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba or to Riverview Palliative Care Ward 3E.
Howie was a passionate, loving, and larger-than-life presence. He will always be missed and never forgotten.
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.