Obituaries
ISAAC GOTFRIED
Isaac Gotfried passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025 in his 100th year.
Isaac was predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years, Hilda(nee Goldberg) and his brother Bernard. The rest of his birth family perished in the Holocaust.
He is survived by his daughters, Irene Shapira (Gary), Susan Libby Hutton (Christopher), Marla Gaudet (Alan), and Paula Kerr (David); grandchildren, Jared, Laura, Casey (Stephen), Morgan (Marie Michele), Evan, Callum (Sophie) and Rowan; and great-grandchildren, Makenna, Jachin and Bodhi.
Isaac was very proud of the life he made for himself and his family in Winnipeg. He was a devoted family man, a good friend and a hard worker.
Isaac was a survivor. He was in several concentration camps, from ages 15-18, escaping into the woods shortly before liberation. He testified against the Nazis at the Buchenwald trials in Dachau, Germany, in 1947.
After retiring from a very successful career with London Life, he devoted his energy to educating people of all ages and backgrounds about the horrors of the Holocaust by speaking to over 25,000 people at schools, museums and conferences locally and internationally. He was interviewed by newspapers, television, documentarians, and PhD candidates. His legacy has been captured on film, in print and by the Shoah Foundation. He wanted to ensure that the Holocaust was never forgotten. He ended every lecture and interview with the words ‘Never again’.
At the age of 92, Isaac published his memoir ‘Lucky to Survive’ which sold over 1000 copies. At Isaac’s request, all proceeds were donated to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. He was very proud of the book, selling it to everybody he met, even his ambulance attendants.
Isaac loved and was loved and respected by many. He was very sociable, generous, a great story teller, and loved telling a good joke. He was an excellent bridge player, playing at least twice a week right up to his admission to hospital. He was a very intelligent, self-educated man. He loved to travel with Hilda and spend the winters in Florida or Palm Springs.
Thank you to the Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence staff and friends who became such a huge part of his life.
In lieu of flowers, Isaac requested that donations be made to the Jewish Heritage Centre’s Holocaust Education Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
The funeral will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 9:30 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, 561 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg. It will also be live streamed. Shiva will be in the library at The Shaftesbury, 905 Shaftesbury blvd on Friday from 2-4 pm and Saturday from 7-9 pm.
Obituaries
JOEL SHEFRIN
After a courageous battle with cancer, Joel passed away peacefully at Riverview Health Centre on April 4, 2025 at the age of 75. He is survived by his wife Penny; sons, Mark (Laurie), Allan (Stephanie); step-sons, James (Jess), Jason (Christina); grandchildren, Abby, Seth, Livia, Frankie, Taylor, Maddox, Mya and Memphis, and great-grandchildren, Alessia and Leo, as well as siblings, Shelley (Bill), Shaun (Vicky), Bruce (Rene) and Morley. He was predeceased by his parents, Connie and Mickey, and sister Claretta. Joel wanted to be remembered as a fighter. He struggled with Crohn’s disease most of his life, but fought to remain active. He loved his family and took pride in all their accomplishments. Joel worked in the family steel business after University, and later in the promotional product industry. He was a dedicated volunteer, becoming the 1st national President of the Canadian Foundation for Ileitis and Colitis (now Crohn’s and Colitis Canada), President of Garden City Community Centre, President of Hockey Winnipeg, and Board member of Hockey Manitoba. Funeral services were held at the Rosh Pina Cemetery on April 6, 2025. The family would like to thank the staff on 3E at Riverview Health Centre, as well as all the homecare staff who allowed Joel to stay at home as long as possible. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada in Joel’s memory.
Obituaries
IAN DUDECK November 20, 1950 – March 17, 2025
A golden heart has stopped beating. We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Ian – beloved husband of Marilyn, father of Michael (Patrizio), siblings, Lynne Spigelman, Fraydel Yamron, Joel Dudeck (Sharron), sister-in-law Barbara Kravetsky, uncle to many special nieces and nephews and friend to all he met. He was predeceased by his parents, Morris and Sarah Dudeck, his brother-in-law Ian Yamron and his father and mother in-law Bob and Connie Lenoff. Ian faced many health obstacles this past year and faced them all with great strength and courage, never once complaining and never once giving up. As an accountant, Ian had a tremendous work ethic and was well liked and admired by all he encountered. Special thanks to Dr. Krista Ryz, the staff of St. Boniface Hospital Renal Health Clinic, the doctors and staff of St. Boniface Hospital Dialysis Unit, St. Boniface Emergency physician Dr. Al Bucel and Ji Yung, Spiritual Care, the Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Services, Rabbi Kliel Rose and our neighbour Marilyn B for her assistance and kindness. Thank you to all our family and friends for your continuing support. Donations may be made to The Manitoba Kidney Foundation, CancerCare Manitoba, or a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
BILL WORB
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Zaida, brother, and uncle, Bill Worb.
Bill passed surrounded by family on September 14, 2024. He was predeceased by his parents, Abraham and Sonia, his in-laws Abe and Sarah Helman, his wife, Paula, his siblings Esther, Joe, and Benni, and by his son-in-law, Bryan.
He leaves behind his children Marla and Ron (Gail); his grandchildren, Sari, Alexi, Andrew, and Samantha; his brother-in-law Ruben (Rita), as well as his nieces and nephews.
Bill was one of the most hardworking men anyone could have known, with a brilliant business mind that seemed to have no limits.
As a teenager, he began working as a fur auctioneer and grader for Dominion/Soudack Fur Auction, before founding and operating Winnipeg Fur Exchange from 1970 to 1994. He then established Bill Worb Furs, which he ran into his eighties, retiring only due to health issues.
Beyond Bill’s success, it was his warmth, generosity, and character that truly defined him.
He had a way of connecting with people—he was personable, distinguished, and treated everyone with kindness and respect. Whether supporting his family or giving back to the community, his generosity knew no bounds. Family dinners were some of the best memories shared, filled with laughter, stories, and the joy of simply being together. He made those gatherings special, and they will always hold a treasured place in our hearts.
Bill was known for sharing captivating stories, from his childhood in rural Manitoba with his giant German Shepherd, Jiggs, to his travels around the world in the fur trade. He was an accomplished and remarkable man, and on top of that, he did a spot-on Johnny Cash impression.
Bill cherished his grandchildren and created unforgettable memories with them. Whether sharing a meal or passing on life lessons, he always made those moments special and meaningful, leaving a lasting impact on their lives.
As a husband, Bill was deeply devoted to his wife, Paula, always caring for her and demonstrating what true love looked like to everyone around them.
Bill was, in every sense, a “prince of a man”—someone everyone looked up to, learned from, and loved dearly. His warmth, generosity, and wisdom will be remembered by all who knew him. Though he will be deeply missed, his impact and the love he shared will always remain with us.
Bill’s family wishes to thank his dedicated team of caregivers, as well as the doctors and nurses who provided compassionate and wonderful care to him at Grace Hospital.
Funeral services and interment were at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on September 16, 2024, with Rabbi Mass officiating. Pallbearers were Sari Daien, Alexi Daien, Dr. Andrew Worb, Dr. Eric Vicker, Ivan Master, and Lyle Silverstein.