Obituaries
JOE ERENBERG
It is with great sadness and sorrow that we announce the passing of Joe Erenberg on June 3, 2017, at the age of 97, at the Simkin Centre in Winnipeg, with his family by his side.
Our father was the beloved husband of 64 years to our mother Anne and the loving father of Marlene, Barry and Shari. He was devoted zaida (grandfather) of Carly, Brenlee, Marni, Karen, Debbie, Hailey and Alanna and great-grandfather to Alaina, Aiden and Jeremy.
He was predeceased by his father Max and his mother Sarah Leah, his wife Anne, his brother Morry, his granddaughter Marni and niece Brina. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue in Winnipeg, Canada.
Pallbearers were Howie Schwartz, Daniel Cormier, Yale Gilbert, Reuven Erenberg, David Erenberg and Noah Erenberg.
Dad was born in Mariupol, Ukraine. He immigrated with his family to Winnipeg when he was just four years old, and like the majority of Eastern European Jewish immigrants, home became Winnipeg’s north end.
Dad’s career began in 1939 as an apprentice at Tadman’s drug store on the corner of Redwood and Salter in the north end of Winnipeg. His duties at first were to keep the floors sparkling clean as well as to operate the soda bar where he acquired the reputation of making the tastiest milkshakes in the north end as well as some pretty mean sundaes and banana splits. Once or twice a month, summer and winter, Dad would get on his trusted bicycle and deliver cigarettes, stamps and soft drinks to Canada Packers five miles away.
Dad’s first official job in pharmacy was as a salesman for Horner Drug Company. He went on to become assistant pharmacist at Winnipeg General Hospital (Health Sciences Centre). In 1952 he opened his own pharmacy in the Osborne Medical Building called Professional Pharmacy. And in addition, in 1962 he became the Chief Pharmacist at the Concordia Hospital.
Dad retired in 1995.
During Dad’s career he was honoured by the Pharmaceutical Association for being a pharmacist for 50 years. He was also recognized by the Manitoba Medical Association for being the first pharmacy in Manitoba not to sell cigarettes.
Dad got to know all his customers personally and had many lasting friendships even after his retirement. Dad’s true passion was his family; to Dad, family was everything. He was a devoted son to his mother and father and often checked in on them on his way home from work. To know him was to love him.
Everyone who knew Dad knew there was something special about him; even people who had just met him were immediately taken in by his big, brown eyes, his sense of humour, his sharpness of mind, his kindness and gentle demeanor. Dad was a very humble man. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his family. He was so easy to talk to; you could share any problem or concern with Dad and he always made himself available to do anything to help.
Dad was a man with very strong morals and principles who held onto old fashioned values throughout his lifetime. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will miss his wisdom and caring and loving ways.
Dad will always be remembered and forever revered for his compassion for people, his love of life and his unconditional love for his family. We will miss the feeling we got when he entered a room. We will miss his smile and the pride we felt in just being his children.
The family would like to thank Claire Caraan, his caregiver, for her caring and devotion to Dad in his final days.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Anne and Joe Erenberg Fund in care of Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 123 Doncaster Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3N 2B2, (204) 477-7520.
Obituaries
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/
Obituaries
MARC AARON COHEN
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marc Aaron Cohen on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with cancer.
Survived by his parents Lawrence and Dolly (Reesa) Cohen, sister Michelle (Ben) Levich, nephew Seth Levich, auntie Deanna Cohen, uncle Sherv Sharagge, and many cousins.
Marc was in love with his career. He was passionate about trucking and was good at it, wearing several hats during his career. He was a dispatcher, a long haul and local trucker, and an instructor to new truckers, while working for several trucking companies including Quick Transfer, Big Freight, and Gershman Transport. Marc received numerous awards and recognitions during his career including the Elite Award for Excellence in Performance in 2014 and 2015 from Big Freight. His commitment to the trucking industry led him to be chosen for the Industry Excellence Award in 2015 from the Manitoba Trucking Association.
Marc’s second love was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being on his motorcycle brought him so much joy. He loved playing, watching and coaching football. He was active in the Nomad Football Club. Being outdoors in any kind of weather was his favorite place to be.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, Health Science Center, and St Boniface Hospital. We are grateful for the compassionate care they provided Marc.
Donations in Marc’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation. 204-787-4143.