KENNETH KATZ

With great sadness, we announce the passing, peacefully and surrounded by family, of Kenneth Katz, 91, of Winnipeg. Beloved husband of 64 years of Sheila Beryl Katz (Bay), father and father-in-law of Brian (Lisa Kaplan), Marty (Laura Trachuk) and Barry (Nikki née McCloy), devoted grandfather of Maya, Sophie, Noa (Em McRobert), Sacha, Mackenzie and Ethan, and great grandfather of Frances.
Kenny was born in Winnipeg’s North End on July 2nd (or 3rd – the family continues to debate his precise date of birth) to parents Philip and Ida Katz (née Barak) originally of Cholojow, Galicia (now Ukraine). Educated at St. John’s Tech and the University of Winnipeg Collegiate, Ken spent two cringe-inducing years in pre-med studies at University of Manitoba before joining the family business, West End Upholsterers, on Portage Avenue. He worked with his father and mother to build the company to be a significant force in commercial drapery, carpeting and upholstery in Canada and the US.
While none of their sons would eventually enter the family business, he was immensely proud that he and Sheila were parents to two chartered accountants and a lawyer. He enjoyed visiting their sons and their families in Toronto, Vancouver and elsewhere.
Memorial donations may be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
The family thanks the nurses and staff at Winnipeg’s St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care Unit.