Obituaries
IRVIN (OZZY) PLOSKER
Irvin (Ozzy) Plosker (b Jan 10, 1931) passed away at Riverview Hospital May 10, 2017 at age 86.
Ozzy was “A special student of Life and Learning”, always wanting to “taste the fruit of every tree.” He was a bright student, but a university education was not in the cards due to the dire financial needs of his family, so Ozzy made printing his trade.
One Friday night at a hangout called The Good Earth in the North End, he met a giggling girl named Sandra and knew she was it! They married, and moved to Kenora, Ontario in 1958 to run a motel which they eventually bought and expanded. They stayed in Kenora for 41 years where they raised two children and enjoyed small town life. During that time Ozzy became a long distance runner, biker, photographer, and cook. As a senior, he biked from Winnipeg to Gimli and back for 11 consecutive years in support of the Multiple Sclerosis society. The great love of his life was yoga, which he practiced all over the world. We was an outstanding yoga teacher, mostly to senior ladies who loved his classes.
In 1999, Ozzy and Sandra sold their motel and moved back to Winnipeg for an active retirement which included adult education classes at the University of Winnipeg, and travel to the four corners of the globe. Antarctica, the Galapagos, Israel, Australia, an African Safari, the Far East, Russia, Europe, and the polar bears in Churchill all captured in beautiful photographs and memory. From hot air balloons to white water rafting, a frightened but willing Sandra was at his side!
Ozzy was a gentle, kind, peaceful man. He loved animals, always had cats and dogs, and did not believe in hunting. He hand fed one of his sick dogs for a year. He was very observant, embraced and found strength in his Faith, and attended Etz Chayim Synagogue actively and regularly.
If success in life is measured by spreading love, devotion, kindness, motivation, and direction, then Irvin (Ozzy) achieved great success in life. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Sandra, Son and Daughter-in-law Shayne and Michele Plosker, Daughter and Son-in-Law Rhea Plosker and Michael Carter, and Grand-Daughter Sayde.
Many thanks for Dr. Ray Singer, Dr. Marnie Wiseman, Dr. Jim Johnson, and all of their support teams for caring for Irvin over the years. And special thank you to Ozzy’s nieces and nephews Norman and Deborah Mayer and Barton and Michelle Faiman who were vigilant at his bedside during his final weeks, and to Sandra’s sister Carol Faiman for her support. Donations can be made to the Charity of One’s Choice.
As long as I live, you will live.
As long as I live, you will be remembered.
As long as I live, you will be loved.
Good night! As we have so oft said beneath this roof at midnight,
in the days that are no more, and shall no more return. Thou has
but taken up thy lamp and gone to bed; I stay a little longer, as one
stays to cover up embers that still burn. – Longfellow
Obituaries
JEROME AVERY
April 2, 1945 – September 11, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jerome Avery, who passed away with his family by his side on September 11, 2025, at the age of 80.
Jerome was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Allan and Diane Avery. He was married to the love of his life, Karen, for 46 years, until her passing. Jerome was blessed to find love and companionship again with Sergia, who he cared deeply for.
Jerome treasured being “Zaida” to his grandchildren, Danica, Alexis, and Nathan. Jerome is survived by his loving children, Robyn (Don) and Tammy (Chris); his grandchildren Danica (Benny), Alexis (Brett), and Nathan; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Karen, his parents Allan and Diane Avery, and his in-laws Nathan and Rose Sarbit.
His smile lit up a room bringing joy and comfort to all who knew him.
Obituaries
RITA SHAPERA (née SILVERMAN)
March 22, 1929 – September 2, 2025
It is with deep sadness that the family of Rita Shapera announces her passing on September 2, 2025, at the age of 96.
Born in Winnipeg to Isadore and Dolly Silverman, Rita grew up in the North End during the Depression yet always remembered her childhood as joyful and full of warmth. A striking beauty, her brother Gerry joked that he was bribed with chocolate by hopeful suitors! It was Dr. Monty Shapera, however, who won her heart, and they married in 1949.
Together, Rita and Monty moved to Flin Flon to establish his dental practice. What was meant to be a short stay blossomed into a decade filled with community, friendship, and the arrival of their three children. Returning to Winnipeg, Rita poured her boundless creativity and impeccable eye for design into building their River Heights home. A gifted cook, baker, and hostess, she made her home a gathering place brimming with love, laughter, and warmth.
Rita adored the famously purple family cottage at Winnipeg Beach, where her love of gardening and swimming took root. She relished travel – especially to Maui – along with bridge games with her circle of friends, evenings at the symphony, and years of community service with Hadassah, Kiwanis, and the Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood.
When Monty passed away in 1990, Rita embraced her role as a devoted grandmother and found joy in winters spent in Palm Springs. In 1996, she was blessed to find love again with Ted Jacob. Their marriage was filled with laughter, affection, and a partnership reminiscent of Burns and Allen. She cherished her bond with Teddy’s children, and though his passing in 2003 was another heartbreak, Rita described their time together as “perfect.”
Rita’s warmth, empathy, and radiant spirit made her a friend to all – whether across a bridge table, in her volunteer work, or even in a casual conversation while waiting in line. She embodied generosity and unconditional love, and as she often said, “I’ve had an amazing life.”
Rita is survived by her children, Nolan (Lori), Caryn Martin (Dr. Paul Martin), and Blair (Lois Vincent); her grandchildren, Tali, Ilyssa, Cale (Hannah), Ilana (Igal), Jordan, Mika (Nate), Shaan, and Eli; and her great-grandchildren, Lev, Theo, Shai, Llewyn, and Jaxx. She is also lovingly remembered by her brother Dr. Gerald (Pauline) Silverman. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Sheila (Al Linder), and her husbands, Dr. Monty Shapera and Ted Jacob.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the dedicated care providers at Shaftesbury Park, the Simkin Centre, St. Boniface Hospital, and especially to Paulina Trinidad for her compassionate care.
Rita’s legacy is one of love, resilience, and joy. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her family and all who were fortunate enough to know her.
Donations in Rita’s memory can be made to Winnipeg Children’s Hospital or Diabetes Canada.
Obituaries
DR. DAVID NORMAN MANUSOW
David passed away, surrounded by his children and partner, on Sunday, September 14, 2025, after a battle with CNS lymphoma, at age 74.
Left to mourn are his children, Josh (Kristen) and Amy (Jamie), his grandchildren, Miles, Archie, and Stella, sister Merle (Phil), his partner Rosa and her children, Karen (Joe) and Danielle (Mike). He was predeceased by his wife Nancy who died in 2003.
David grew up in the North End of Winnipeg and was proud of his roots. He spent his childhood hanging out at Winnipeg Beach, enjoying a busy social life at the YMHA downtown, and studying. He went to medical school at the University of Manitoba and completed a residency in ophthalmology there followed by further training in glaucoma surgery in New York City at Mount Sinai Hospital and in Cambridge, England. He was the first and only ophthalmologist specializing in glaucoma to practice in Manitoba and in the 1980s looked after a patient population alone that is today shared by eight doctors. He was a partner at the Manitoba Clinic, a faculty member at the University of Manitoba and over his long career saved the vision and looked after thousands of patients. He was known as a master diagnostician and meticulous clinician and surgeon.
David was married to Nancy Manusow for 28 years until her death from cancer. They had a wonderful partnership, travelled the world together before settling down in Winnipeg with brief stops to live in New York, England (twice), and Pittsburgh, and raised two children together. In his later years he enjoyed travelling and spending time with Rosa, his partner of 20 years, and her family. He was particularly proud of spearheading a scholarship at his alma mater, St. John’s High School, along with some of his classmates to honour a very close friend who drowned while they were in medical school (the Aron Katz Memorial Scholarship).
The family would like to thank all of his physicians, nurses, and the staff at CancerCare, Victoria Hospital, and Grace Hospice and in particular Dr. J. Webb and Dr. L. Minuk.
His funeral took place at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on Tuesday, September 26, 2025. Pallbearers were Manual Glimcher, Danielle Miller, Mike Miller, Karen Appel, Phil Sheegl, Sean Udow, Hannon Bell, Zach Stein, Stuart Niznick, and Benji Goldenberg.
David will be deeply missed. Donations in his name can be made to Breakthrough T1D (JDRF).