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
LOUIS COLISH FEBRUARY 15, 1945 – APRIL 23, 2025
With great sadness, we announce the unexpected passing of Louis Colish at the Health Sciences Centre, surrounded by friends. He was predeceased by his parents, William (Bill) and Bessie, whom he deeply cherished. Loui considered his father to be his best friend and he was a devoted caregiver to his mother in her later years.
Born in Winnipeg on February 15, 1945, Louis grew up in Garden City. He had a long and fulfilling career as a Reference Librarian at the West Kildonan Library, where he assisted countless patrons with their questions. Even in retirement, people he would meet often recognized him as “the librarian”.
Louis cherished his relationships with his family and friends. Those who had the privilege of knowing him described him as incredibly friendly, one of their favourite people, and simply the nicest guy.
A lifelong learner, Louis treasured his extensive book collection, with a particular love for astronomy and the works of Carl Sagan. He delighted in sharing stories of his travels to Europe, Hawaii, Arizona, Disney World, and his most cherished destination, Israel. He also enjoyed attending his bowling league, the Rady JCC’s senior program, and the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre. He loved music from the 1940s and 50s and delighted in performing his favourite tunes in talent shows at the Rady JCC and Gwen Secter programs.
Louis was a devoted member of the Rosh Pina and Etz Chayim synagogues. Fellow congregants fondly remember his passionate and dramatic chanting of the Prayer for Peace from the bimah—a heartfelt expression of his deep hope for a peaceful world.
A graveside service was held on April 25, 2025, at Rosh Pina Memorial Park.
Louis was a kind and generous soul who will be missed but never forgotten.
Obituaries
HERB SINGER
Peacefully, with his family by his side, Herb Singer passed away on April 3, 2025.
He is survived by his daughters, Leslie (Sheppy Coodin), Marnie and Sheryl (Kevin Segall). He is also survived by grandchildren, Josh Glow (Leah), Sari Glow, Justin Segall and Hayden Segall, his brother Earl (Mimi), and sisters-in-law, Maureen Steinfeld (Leo) and Bonnie Dressler (Kenny). He was predeceased by his wife Myrna, his parents, Anne and Dave Singer and in-laws, Irma and Harry Nepon.
Herb was born on February 26, 1944, in Winnipeg and spent his early years on the family farm in Ratcliffe, Saskatchewan before the family moved into the city, eventually settling on Smithfield in the North End.
Herb attended West Kildonan Collegiate, excelling in both academics and sports. Herb and Myrna grew up between Salter and Aikins but did not attend the same high school because the back lane between Smithfield (where Herb lived) and McAdam (where Myrna lived) was the dividing marker for St. John’s and West Kildonan. They met in 1960, having been introduced by a neighbour of Myrna’s who was friends with Herb. It was love at first sight; they married in 1966 after graduating from the University of Manitoba.
Herb received his CA designation in 1972. He began his career in public practice but then switched to working as the controller of GIII Limited, which he said allowed him to spend more time with his family.
Herb and Myrna loved spending summers with their girls travelling to Detroit Lakes with other Winnipeggers. Later years found the family travelling campgrounds in Canada and the US in the trailer and finally settling in for summers at Gimli, where the family has happy memories of days at the beach and nights by the campfire.
Herb was an athlete all his life; he played basketball and football as a teenager and then played squash, tennis, racquetball and golf as an adult. Herb spent much of his retirement on the golf courses with friends and grandchildren and also loved his bowling league.
Herb and Myrna loved travelling and together explored China, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, England and Israel just to mention a few places.
Herb was an extremely social person and connected with many people over the years through golf, bowling, bridge and through winters in Palm Springs.
Herb was a supporter of community organizations over his years. He helped organize fundraising dinners for Talmud Torah when his children were students, he was umpire at his girls’ baseball games and in later years, he helped with fundraising at Congregation Etz Chayim, particularly with the yearly Golf tournament as well as the Lottery Brunch. He also donated blood well over 100 times.
His most rewarding role was that of Zaida. He loved spending time with his grandchildren whether it was attending concerts, games or marking a special occasion. He would always make sure his freezer was full of meatballs and ice cream and his cupboard was full of treats for their visits.
Herb loved watching sports on TV and rarely missed a Bomber or Jets game. He particularly enjoyed watching with his family and friends and thought himself an excellent armchair coach!
A funeral service was held at Chesed Shel Emes with burial at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on April 4, 2025.
Those who are wishing to honour Herb are encouraged to make a donation in his memory to Congregation Etz Chayim or to the charity of their choice.
Obituaries
YHETTA MIRIAM GOLDCM, OM, BA
September 3, 1929 – April 25, 2025
Yhetta passed away at home on her own terms.
As per her wishes, there will be no service.
The family would like to thank Realcare Inc, particularly Kristina, Ana, Agrima and Chantal for their compassion and expertise.
For those that would like to make a donation in her memory, please consider a gift to the Yhetta Gold Campership Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 123 Doncaster Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3N 2B4, jewishfoundation.org, or to a charity of your choice.
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