Obituaries
KOBY AIDEN SHUSTER September 29, 1989 – May 27, 2020
Koby was not your average human.
He was precocious, charismatic, genuine, articulate, caustic, determined. He could be sweet and caring. He could be provocative. He could be sly. As a child, he read early. He watched Fantasia religiously. He was a notorious mouth-open eater and an idiosyncratic toe-walker.
He began to play classical guitar when he was five years old, swiftly surpassing his father’s abilities. His phenomenal vocabulary emerged effortlessly and often baffled his peers. Later, when he studied Criminology at SFU, he would dissect slower students’ feeble arguments with ease. He would produce excellent work if he felt like it or subtly infuse an unappealing assignment with derisive humour. On the soccer field, he was a wrecking ball.
He loved his family and friends, and he especially treasured his grandparents, Lawrence and Eddy Werier, who encouraged him to colour outside the lines. When he wanted to accomplish something, however difficult, he found his focus. He claimed his Jewish heritage despite being born into a secular household. He decided that he would have a bar mitzvah and learned how to read the Hebrew alphabet in a week. During later travel in Israel, he felt that he had come home.
Koby kindled a deep relationship with music. He bewitched the bass guitar. He found kinship in artists who circumvent norms, from Tech N9ne to RATM (who he was so excited to see in concert again before Covid-19 hit) to Shuggie Otis to Run the Jewels. He held a deep abiding love for southern hip-hop. His band, Dust, enjoyed significant high school fame. Koby made many deep bonds with musicians of all backgrounds and had an uncanny ability to connect with and support others through music.
Koby was a sage of sorts. He would never mince words or participate in cheap generosity. His caring was raw and true. If he saw that you needed support, he would help, but if you were being overly dramatic, he had no sympathy for that. His challenging words were often an invitation to play or discover truth. In another time period he might have been a lauded orator or philosopher.
People were drawn to him. His presence had an orbit. Koby’s charisma was irresistible, and he loved to have a good time. He could get his way so naturally because his magnetism was bound with a respect for others’ boundaries. Despite his omnipresent independence, he could make others feel at ease with a caring look or an honest, incisive observation. He said what was needed in the moment, and he expected others to speak honestly to him. He was a secret-keeper for many people and held this position as a sacred trust.
Koby understood darkness, and it understood him. He experienced trauma from losing several beloved friends to addiction, which hardened him against himself and fueled his own substance abuse. He never recovered from the guilt of believing he was responsible, even though he wasn’t. He knew himself so well, and yet he was never able to forgive himself.
Koby suffered deeply but was too proud to accept help. His identity was bound up in making it without outside support. His web of mental health struggles grew over the years.
Sometimes when you tie a knot very tightly, you can’t untie it again.
Koby’s death was an accidental overdose. He was in his small apartment, in the bath. He loved to soak in the tub. He was sick of anxiety and tired of being afraid, but he didn’t want to die. He was a suffering guy who did some bad dope. It’s ironic that what got Koby in the end was the insidiousness of fentanyl.
It’s important to understand that Koby never gave up his honour. He put those close to him through heartache, but he was also very loyal and loving. In his last text to his Mom a few days before he died he told her he loved her. He did that all the time.
He made a point of not implicating others in his actions. He lived fast and with so much heart. He rejected dull moments. Some of his exploits had a legendary quality that only he was capable of generating. Those fortunate enough to be beneficiaries of his gifts in this life know how blessed they are.
He is survived by his mother Jodie Werier, father Michael Shuster, grandparents Lawrence and Eddy Werier, nanny and second mom Augustina (Olive) Johnpierre, Ziggy, the dog that made his eyes itchy, and his extended family of neighbours and friends on the block that he grew up on and beyond.
We don’t want flowers. They make us sneeze. Please contribute to a charity that supports mental health and addiction. They go hand in hand. And please take the time to know and love yourself enough that you can live how you want but also have the resolve to care well for yourself.
Obituaries
Recent funerals – as posted on the Chesed Shel Emes website
| Cecil Phillip Breslauer | Zelig Feivel ben Chaim Yosef v’Bluma | 07/06/1929 | 30/10/2026 | 19 Cheshvan 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Murray Kravetsky | Michael Moonie ben Zeesel v’Bluma | 24/01/1946 | 26/10/2026 | 15 Cheshvan 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Ruben Helman | Ruben ben Aba v’Sarah | 06/06/1932 | 22/10/2026 | 12 Cheshvan 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Bert Minuk | Dov Ber ben Mendel haKohen v’Chaya Leah | 03/02/1928 | 19/10/2026 | 8 Cheshvan 5787 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Patricia Charad | Rut bat Avraham v’Sarah | 19/03/1927 | 15/10/2026 | 5 Cheshvan 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Debra Lynn Hirsch | Devorah Leah bat Tuvyah v’ Chaya Mindel | 10/09/1953 | 08/10/2026 | 27 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Harry Kaplan | Tzvi ben Gershon Yosef v’Dina | 16/03/1931 | 29/09/2026 | 19 Tishrei 5787 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Maurice Azuelos | Moshe ben Yehuda | 15/08/1943 | 29/09/2026 | 18 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Lillian Burke | Leah Dvorah bat Shmuel v’Basia | 31/05/1928 | 28/09/2026 | 17 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Zinaida Pinski | Zinaida bat Michael v’Rachel | 22/12/1946 | 27/09/2026 | 16 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Aarona Perlov | Aharona bat Eliyahu v’Liba Freida | 11/05/1950 | 25/09/2026 | 14 Tishrei 5787 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Beth Shore | Bat Sheva bat Susman v’ Craindel | 30/12/1939 | 23/09/2026 | 12 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sydney Herbert Weidman | Shimshon ben Moshe Leib v’Shoshana | 24/01/1962 | 18/09/2026 | 7 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Danny Rich | Dan ben Sender v’Mindel | 30/04/1938 | 17/09/2026 | 6 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| June Marie Black | Zahava bat Avraham v’Sarah | 30/06/1931 | 16/09/2026 | 5 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Ruth Billinkoff | Rachel bat Moshe v’Shaindel | 25/04/1928 | 15/09/2026 | 4 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Adele Heidinger | Odela bat Avraham V’Freida | 14/05/1924 | 11/09/2026 | 29 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Fred Arnold Rosenblatt | Ephraim ( Freidel Chuna) ben Zvi haKohen v’Gusta | 10/12/1947 | 10/09/2026 | 28 Elul 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Jack Shrom | Yaacov ben Aryeh Leib v’Rachel | 02/03/1931 | 08/09/2026 | 26 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Raymond Richard Green | Reuben Rafael ben Leib Natan v’Yetta | 04/02/1951 | 31/08/2026 | 18 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Rhoda Kravetsky | Tziril Tovah bat Mendel v’Doba | 21/05/1948 | 29/08/2026 | 16 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Brent Drew Cohen | Binyamin ben Zvi ha’Kohen v’Esther | 02/10/1958 | 28/08/2026 | 15 Elul 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Liza Lyuber | Laya bat Lazer v’Malka | 05/12/1926 | 28/08/2026 | 15 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Michael Tennenhouse | Melech Shimon ben Hersh Tzvi v’Gileh | 22/04/1949 | 28/08/2026 | 15 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Inf |
| Lillian Neaman | Leah Rivka bat Eliyahu v’Chana | 16/02/1934 | 21/08/2026 | 8 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Malik Juravsky | Melech ben Levi Yitzchak v’Luba | 24/03/1931 | 19/08/2026 | 6 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Harvey Appelle | Chaim Tzvi ben Yehoshua v’Bayla | 08/05/1940 | 15/08/2026 | 2 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Mordy “Buddy” Brownstone | Mordechai Leib ben Yishia v’Machla | 28/07/1926 | 11/08/2026 | 28 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Karen Leslie Gomori | Gayla bat Shlomo haLevi V’Chaya Sarah | 15/02/1950 | 10/08/2026 | 27 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Rhona Shnier | Rachel bat Shaul v’Chana | 04/07/1927 | 09/08/2026 | 26 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Belle Burke | Bluma bat Zalman v’ Sara Elka | 12/05/1926 | 06/08/2026 | 23 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Reesa Gail Langhans | Reesa bat Yishayahu haKohen v’Faigel Tzipora | 17/09/1948 | 06/08/2026 | 23 Av 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Gerald Kalef | Gershon ben Yitzchak v’Chana | 24/06/1928 | 01/08/2026 | 19 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Arthur Joseph Nitikman | Aharon Yosef ben Yisrael v’Devorah | 17/05/1940 | 29/07/2026 | 15 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sheldon Berney | – | 06/10/1936 | 28/07/2026 | 14 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Arthur Arkin | Avraham ben Yitzchak haLevi v’Sarah | 22/05/1927 | 24/07/2026 | 10 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Dick Bell | Daniel ben David v’Chana | 28/12/1927 | 19/07/2026 | 5 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Reesa Nerman | Rivka bat Shlomo v’ Shaindel Leah | 30/05/1954 | 18/07/2026 | 4 Av 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Garry Israel Frankel | Gershon Israel ben Shlomo Moshe v’Miriam | 14/08/1953 | 13/07/2026 | 28 Tamuz 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Caroline Shelley Raber | Tzipi bat Yisrael v’Ita | 30/01/1955 | 11/07/2026 | 26 Tamuz 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Estelle Meyers | Esther Tzivia | 26/10/1941 | 10/07/2026 | 25 Tamuz 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Alice Grace Lazar | Sarah bat Avraham v’Sarah | 27/12/1926 | 08/07/2026 | 23 Tamuz 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Paula Wolfman | Piya bat Mordechai v’Esther | 15/09/1953 | 08/07/2026 | 23 Tamuz 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Sharon Ricki Feuer | Sharona Rivka bat Avraham v’Sarah | 14/05/1940 | 08/07/2026 | 23 Tamuz 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Neil Margolis | Nissan ben Chaim Nechemia v’Deveorah | 29/07/1936 | 01/07/2026 | 16 Tamuz 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sheldon Paul Nemy | Solomon ben Moshe haKohen v’Rachel | 01/04/1947 | 23/06/2026 | 8 Tamuz 5786 | Hebrew Sick Cemetery | More Info |
| Murray Kadys | Moshe ben Shmuel v’Bayla | 12/01/1945 | 19/06/2026 | 4 Tamuz 5786 | Beit Chayim Mikdash Shalom, Chapel Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Portage Ave | More Info |
| Richard Gordon | Yitzchak ben Yaakov v’Dina | 06/11/1943 | 14/06/2026 | 29 Sivan 5786 | Grays’ Ridge Cemetery, Alonsa MB | More Info |
| David Harold Diamond | David ben Avraham Yehoshua haLevi | 08/04/1929 | 09/06/2026 | 24 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sidney Green | Simcha ben Aharon v’Rosa | 01/08/1929 | 07/06/2026 | 22 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Cecile Kowall | Tzivia bat Shlomo David v’ Sluva Mata | 24/05/1935 | 03/06/2026 | 18 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Joan Hargrave | Chana Henya bat Binyamin Mayer haLevi v’ Miriam Dina | 14/07/1953 | 01/06/2026 | 16 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Irwin Barry Stronger | Yitzchak Dov ben Matityahu v’Baila | 16/09/1941 | 31/05/2026 | 15 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| David Ivan Cohen | David Yitzchak ben Yaakov Moshe v’Sara Liba | 06/06/1956 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Maxine Hochman | Tziporah bat Shmuel v’Esther | 31/12/1940 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Alvin Murray Zivot | Avraham Moshe ben Yaakov v’Leah Miriam | 03/08/1931 | 27/05/2026 | 11 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Tova Vickar | Tova bat Nachum v’Yenta | 24/08/1949 | 22/05/2026 | 6 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Karen Leipsic | Chaya Tova bat Kalman v’Raizel | 03/04/1944 | 21/05/2026 | 5 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Lee Dana | Fayge-Leah bat Moshe BenZion v’Chaya | 05/10/1936 | 17/05/2026 | 1 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Betty Brina Simon | Bayla bat Yitzchak v’Miriam | 27/07/1935 | 15/05/2026 | 28 Iyar 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Basia Bayla Fliegel | Bayla bat Leib | 31/05/1930 | 13/05/2026 | 26 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Harold Diamond | Tzvi ben Yaacov v’Chana | 04/12/1935 | 12/05/2026 | 25 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gary Rayburn | Gershon Aaron ben Hersh Ber v’Masha | 21/09/1965 | 09/05/2026 | 22 Iyar 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Ray Schnoor | Raizel bat Ephraim v’Rachel | 13/06/1927 | 05/05/2026 | 19 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gila Ruth Fainstein | Rachel bat Kiva v’Leah | 25/06/1935 | 04/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Toby Schwartz | Chaya Tovah bat Moshe v’Chana | 16/07/1932 | 01/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Rachel Wolman | Rachel Bayla bat Moshe v’Malka | 03/02/1962 | 24/04/2026 | 7 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Leah Gitlin | Laya bat Yosef v’Frayda | 04/09/1926 | 08/04/2026 | 21 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Lin Joseph Rosenbaum | Yosef Levi ben Hershel Zvi v’Dvorah | 17/10/1952 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Norman Stein | Nachum ben Avraham v’Chaya | 10/06/1932 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Marvin Saul Silver | Menachem Shaul ben Avraham v’Chana Gitel | 20/11/1941 | 05/04/2026 | 18 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Kimberley Dawn Kirshenbaum | Isabella bat Avraham v’Sarah | 09/12/1969 | 03/04/2026 | 17 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Walter Ganetsky | Zev ben Yosef haLevi v’Tziporah | 23/09/1940 | 02/04/2026 | 15 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Lorelei Camille Lavitt | Rachel bat Yaakov v’Raisa | 11/04/1936 | 26/03/2026 | 8 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Melvin Myers | Moshe ben Chaim v’Rachel | 24/04/1936 | 24/03/2026 | 7 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
To see more funerals go to https://chesedshelemes.org/records-of-the-deceased/
Obituaries
DR. BARRY RAYTER
June 12, 1941 – November 4, 2026
Peacefully at age 85.
Predeceased by Maggie in 2014, his wife of over 50 years, his parents, Bobby and Tubby Rayter, sister-in-law Dale Rayter and brother-in-law Mel Frasier.
Barry leaves to mourn his children, Jason, Kelly and Scott; sister Sharon (Benson) Labinsky; brothers, Bailey (Karen), Mark, and Ian (Lynnie) Rayter; brother-in-law David (Marilyn) Coubrough; nephews and nieces, Jordan (Shari), Brent (Tammy), and Ellen (Simon) Labinsky; Lindsay (Tyler) and Mika (Keith) Rayter; Jared and Aaron (Wendy) Rayter; Bill (Susan) and Joy Coubrough; and many more great and great-great-nieces and nephews and cousins.
Barry also leaves behind dear friends Winnie and Jim McPhee and their children, Terry Lynn (Dave), Michelle (Rob), Jim, Colleen, and Lisa (Dwaine) and their children. He was predeceased by his close colleagues Tom Dobbs and Ross McIntyre and dear friends Keith and Joan Thompson, who are survived by their surviving children Rob, Margot and Chris.
The help, support and friendship from many people have meant a great deal to both Barry and his family, including Beddie Nagle, Imelda Horbas, Julie Clark, Pam Swystun, Ryan Cormack, Neil Wilson, Laurie Lebel, Pat Karpasho, Kelly Wiebe and Mike Loyd.
The family would especially like to thank Dr. Joel Gingerich and the staff at both CancerCare Manitoba and Park Manor Care Home.
Barry grew up surrounded by a large and close family, first on Aberdeen, then on Mountain and Inkster, attending Peretz School, St. John’s, and then on to University of Manitoba where he studied Dentistry before opening a practice of over 45 years in East Kildonan, first on Watt Steet and then on Henderson Highway.
Barry was committed to the care and well-being of his patients, their families and to the profession, assuming the presidency of the Manitoba Dental Association in 1996 and serving as chair of the economics committee for over 30 years, he was recognized for his service including the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Density’s Alumni of Distinction Award in 2013 and he was the first inductee into the Manitoba Dental Association’s Hall of Fame in 2001.
After his years as a general practitioner, Barry joined the academic staff at the Faculty of Dentistry, assisting and teaching in several areas including the Emergency Clinic, making a lasting impression on the many students he taught and mentored – work he found richly rewarding and forming ongoing friendships with students who went on to work in the field, always available for guidance, offering advice, a caring ear, a free lunch, and a good joke.
Barry had both a keen aesthetic sense and skill as a visual artist, and the family home was filled with his many drawings, paintings and sketches. He also had a strong musical ear and could sit down at the piano and play a tune he had only just heard. He loved all kinds of music, including opera (which he attended with Winnie and Jim McPhee), classical, but also pop and rock and took his kids to concerts such as Supertramp, The Police, Rod Stewart, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, David Bowie, Styx and many more. He read widely, including fiction, history, travel literature, nature, and art.
Anyone who knew Barry can attest to his ability to tell and appreciate a good joke – all of which reflected his affable nature and his optimistic outlook on life.
Barry carried on the values his parents instilled in their children, including their generosity and kindness to those in need. He was caring and attentive to his patients and devoted to the learning experience of his students, who in turn would become excellent care providers. His presence in his family, community and profession were profound and we will all miss him dearly.
Service at Chesed Shel Emes (1023 Main St.), 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 8, 2026 followed by burial at Rosh Pina Memorial Park (2795 Main St.). Shiva at 59 Vanier Drive following burial, and Sunday, November 8, 2026, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Monday, November 9, 2026 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Pallbearers: Bailey, Mark, Ian, Jared, and Aaron Rayter and Simon Flesischer.
Donations can be made to https://www.hscfoundation.mb.ca/donate/ (Dale Rayter GD6 Nursing Education Fund) at the Health Sciences Centre, CancerCare Manitoba, or charity of your choice.
Obituaries
PATRICIA (PAT) CHARAD
Patricia (Pat) Charad passed away peacefully on October 15, 2026, at the age of 99, leaving behind a legacy of generosity, friendship, and community service.
Born in Detroit, Pat arrived in Winnipeg as a baby and grew up in the city’s West End. After graduating from Daniel McIntyre High School, Pat began her working life as a clerk at Great-West Life before moving on to various administrative positions. In the early 1950s, she and a friend ventured overseas, found work in London, and hitchhiked through the south of France. Pat was very much ahead of her time!
Pat met Issie Charad at a mutual friend’s party and they married in 1963, following Pat’s conversion to Judaism. Issie’s calm and steady presence was the perfect balance to Pat’s fiery spirit. They globe trotted and raised their two daughters, Judi and Reegan.
Their home was always warm and welcoming. Gatherings and celebrations were constant, as were teen drop-ins. Oak Street was a hive of activity, driven by Pat.
Pat devoted decades to volunteering with the Manitoba Children’s Hospital Foundation, contributing to fundraising efforts and serving as a board member. Her extraordinary commitment was recognized this past year when she was honoured for more than 60 years of volunteer service. She was equally dedicated to the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, where she served as Vice-President, Co-President of the Sisterhood and served on the board of the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre.
Although Pat began life as an only child, she certainly did not end it that way. Along the journey, she gathered an enormous circle of family and friends, comprised of adopted family, chosen family, honorary cousins, and nieces and nephews by the droves. To so many, she was simply and affectionately, Aunt Pat.
Pat will be remembered for her cracking bridge hand, her open door and her extraordinary ability to make people feel welcome.
Pat is survived by her daughters, Reegan Charad and Judi Charad, and her cherished grandson, Isaac, along with the many family members and friends whose lives she enriched. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
If you wish, donations in Pat’s memory may be made to The Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba.

