Obituaries
IRWINE (IKE) PERMUT
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Irwine (Ike) Permut on November 07, 2017 at the Concordia Hospital surrounded by his family and his special friend Anne Dudeck.
Ike’s funeral took place at the Etz Chayim Synagogue with interment at the Bnay Abraham Cemetery. Pall bearers were Ari Kapitany, Jeff Gilbert, Merrill Shulman, Mark Cohen, Mark Shuster, and Avery Spigelman.
Ike was born in 1925, the middle of three children to Hershel (Harry) and Sarah Permut. He was predeceased in 2009 by the love his of life for over 68 years – Ruth. He was also predeceased by his older brother Hymie and younger sister Bessie.
Left to cherish and honour Ike’s memory are his children Marsha, Harriet, and Arnold, and Arnold’s wife Susan. He is also survived by grandchildren Ari Kapitany, Jessy Kapitany and her husband Paul Gribbon, and Janie Gilbert and her husband Jeff. He is also survived by great grandchildren Hope and Andrew Gribbon, and Zoe and Sam Gilbert.
Ike grew up in Winnipeg’s North End where he not only received a formal education in the school system, but also received an education in “the school of hard knocks”.
At an early age he developed an interest in and significant skills related to things mechanical in nature particularly cars and trucks. This formed the basis for his subsequent career paths. During World War II he served in the Canadian Army as a staff sergeant both fixing trucks and teaching young soldiers how to properly drive trucks. In spite of his vision problems he also taught marksmanship. Clearly he needed to be and was a man of infinite patience.
Following the war years Ike worked as master mechanic at Stern Trucks, Winnipeg Electric which became Winnipeg Transit in later years, and Winnipeg Motors. He ultimately worked for many years in management positions at Princess Auto and at Mandak Metal Processors in Selkirk where his expertise and hard work helped build both into very successful companies.
Perhaps his greatest and respected contributions during his life were in the form of “paying it back” to the community of Winnipeg through many volunteer positions. He chaired the building committees for both the Bnay Abraham Synagogue and the associated housing co-op. He was also President of the Bnay Abraham Synagogue for two terms.
For many years Ike was a passionate volunteer member of the board of directors and President of the Jewish community funeral home the Chesed Shel Emes. He devoted many hours of his time in the support and betterment of this institution so important to the Jewish community in Winnipeg. He also served on the board of directors of the Gwen Secter Active Living Centre.
Following Ruth’s passing at the Misericordia Place Nursing Home, he served as a volunteer on the Ethics Committee for that nursing home. He also volunteered as a member of the public on the Discipline Committee of the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba.
At his core, Ike was a devoted family man. In recent years it was a joy to see the love he gave and received in return from his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He went to great lengths to spend time with them including taking the bus on the coldest days of winter to visit.
For those wishing to make donations in Ike’s memory, donations may be sent to:
The Bessie Permut Ruder Hospice and Palliative Care Fund (at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba) or
The Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Caners and the staff at the Concordia Hospital for their care and compassion during his final days.
Finally, if Ike were to have the last word which he frequently did, he might have left two important messages being: “the important things in life aren’t things” and “you can’t beat fun”!!
Obituaries
MILTON FREEDMAN
It is with profound sadness and much love that I announce the passing of Milton Freedman on October 30th, 2025, three months after we celebrated his 100th birthday. Milton was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Peter, his older brother Sam, and his younger brother Sid, with whom he shared a very special relationship. He is survived by his wife Joanie, his sister Ruby Donner, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a great-great nephew.
Family and friends meant everything to Milton, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. He was gentle and kind, quiet and dignified, thoughtful and wise. He gave the best advice, but only if asked.
Milton and I liked to travel, and for many years spent the winter in Palm Springs. We also travelled to Europe and England, and felt most at home in London. We reminisced endlessly about the river cruises we went on, and the amazing places we had the opportunity to visit, whether it was having dinner at a restaurant overlooking the North Sea, or attending a private concert at a palace in Vienna, or tasting Black Forest cake especially prepared for us, while we were in Germany’s Black Forest region. It all was stunning, magical, delicious. But it was the people we met along the way, who made everything even more special, and we never forgot them.
Milton was an avid reader, inhaling newspapers, magazines, and books as if they were oxygen. Remarkably, he remembered much of what he read, and it wasn’t unusual for him to quote a passage from a book that he had read years earlier, if it was relevant to a conversation. It was not to show off…that wasn’t who he was.
Milton was a runner, and for years ran ten miles, three times a week. On the days he didn’t run, he walked outdoors for two and a half hours. Eventually, he gave up running, preferring to walk seven days a week no matter the season, no matter the weather. This continued until he was well into his 80’s. And even in his 90’s Milton remained determined to walk, at first using one cane, then two, then a walker. When he was asked, how he did it, Milton simply said, “Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.” On occasion he might add, “And eventually you’ll get to where you’re going.”
Sage advice.
Milton is deeply missed, and will forever be remembered.
Obituaries
MARLI REBECCA SILVERMAN
Marli Rebecca Silverman passed away on March 11th at the age of 43 from end-stage renal disease. She lived her life with meaning, courage, and resilience, and touched everyone who knew her with her strength, warmth, and spirit.
She leaves behind her beloved daughter, Rylee, who was the light of her life; her father, Bruce; her brother, Matthew; Rylee’s father, Drake; and many family members and dear friends who will carry her memory forward with love.
Marli will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the impact she made on those around her.
May her memory be a blessing.
Donations in Marli’s memory may be made to Breakthrough T1D (breakthrought1d.ca).
Obituaries
EDWARD (BARNEY) SEGAL
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Edward “Barney” Segal on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the age of 70.
Barney will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his sister, Elaine (Paul) Olin; his nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephew: Jason Olin, Carrie Shenkarow, Jessica and Shirley Ransby; Brenlee, David, Hayley, and Leah Selchen; and Daniel, Jordi, Poppy, and Skylar Olin; Shannon Chisick-Harman, Charlie Harman; and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his beloved parents, Sam Segal (1998) and Louise Segal (2006), and by his sister, Dolly Chisick (December 2025).
Barney was born on April 27, 1955, in Winnipeg, where he lived his entire life. He spent his formative years on Lansdowne Avenue, a place that remained close to his heart and was filled with many fond memories throughout his life. Barney was the youngest of four children, and from an early age, he was a spirited and energetic presence, full of personality and spark.
Barney carried that same determination and energy into his adult life. With an unwavering work ethic, he pursued a career in education while working full-time, earning his degree from the University of Manitoba. He went on to dedicate many years to teaching and supporting schools throughout Winnipeg. Barney took great pride in helping students grow, always striving to make a lasting impression on the young people whose lives he touched.
He was fiercely loyal to his family, his friends, and the communities he served. Barney found joy in life’s simple and meaningful moments: cheering on the Chicago Bears, sharing vivid stories about his parents and days gone by, riding his motorcycle, and heading out on long road trips in his beloved Jeep, “Sparky,” always in search of the next good story.
Barney will be remembered for his strong spirit, his storytelling, his sense of humor, and the genuine care he showed to those around him. His presence filled a room, and his absence leaves a space that cannot be replaced. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Funeral services were held on Friday, March 6, at Chesed Shel Emes, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were Daniel Olin, Jason Olin, Laurie Gorenstein, Jeff Brown, Gavin Rich, and Mark Lomow. Honorary pallbearers were Brenlee Selchen, David Selchen, Shannon Chisick-Harman, Charlie Harman, Jordi Olin, Carrie Shenkarow, Rick Lousier, Ben Szymkow, Ron Nelson, Leroy Fox, Robert Marvin, and Gerry Dudley.
In memory of Barney, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.