Obituaries
JUDGE BENJAMIN GOLDSTEIN
(May 20, 1930 to June 19, 2018)
It was with great sadness that the family announced the passing of Judge Benjamin Goldstein Z”L on Tuesday, June 19, 2018.
Judge Goldstein was 88 years old. His beloved wife, Myra, will treasure all the wonderful memories they had together for the past 63 years.
Left to cherish his blessed memory is Myra (nee Charach), and his three children, Elliott (Michele), Maureen Richardson (Robin) and Harvey (Esther), as well as his sisters Bela Adler, Clara Halpern Jeremiah, and his brother Samuel.
Judge Goldstein was predeceased by his parents Rabbi Joseph Goldstein and his wife Dora, and Benjamin’s brothers Dr. Philip Goldstein, Dr. Arnold Goldstein, and Dr. Abe Goldstein.
Benjamin is also survived by his grandchildren Kaylee Watson (Maighan), Jacob, and Cassandra; Rory, Jamie, and Ashley; Zachary, Daniel, and Amanda.
Benjamin was born in Estevan, Saskatchewan on May 20, 1930. Benjamin completed his public and high school education in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He attended the University of Saskatchewan where he obtained his degrees in economics and law. He was called to the Saskatchewan Bar in 1959 and the Alberta Bar in 1983. He practiced law in Saskatoon for over 30 years together with his brother Samuel and was made Queens Counsel. He appeared in all levels of court in Saskatchewan and on several occasions in the Supreme Court of Canada.
Benjamin was a great teacher. He taught Hebrew School while attending university in Saskatoon. After becoming a lawyer, he lectured in commercial law, part-time, at the University of Saskatchewan in its Faculty of Commerce for over two decades.
In November of 1992 Benjamin was appointed a judge of the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan and presided in Saskatoon until his retirement from the bench in 2005. After retirement he served as a Senior Adjudicator with Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada for several years.
In 2005, Benjamin was awarded the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan.
Benjamin was active in the Jewish Community in Saskatoon. He was the president of Agudas Israel Synagogue in the late 1960s. In 2000 Benjamin helped found, and for a time served as president of, Congregation Shir Hadash, a Conservative synagogue.
Benjamin was an ardent supporter of Israel, and together with Myra, visited Israel several times.
Funeral Services were held on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at the Chesed Shel Emes in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with interment at Rosh Pina Memorial Park.
Special thanks to Rabbi Avrohom Altein of the Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Learning Centre in Winnipeg for conducting the funeral service, and to Rabbi Raphael Kats of Chabad Lubavitch in Saskatoon for organizing the shiva prayers and being a good friend to Benjamin.
Benjamin, Dad, and Zaida, Rest in Peace. May your memory be for a blessing. If family and friends wish, donations may be made to their charity of choice.
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.