Obituaries
LAURIE (ALI) MAINSTER
Family and friends of Laurie Mainster are deeply saddened by his passing on Monday, April 8, 2019.
Beloved son of Arthur and Fannie, the youngest of six children, Laurie is survived by daughter Gail Mainster, son-in-law Harold Gutovich and grandson Jay Gutovich (Sara); son Samuel Mainster; son-in-law Viktor Lewin; granddaughter Brianne Lewin, partner Chris Schwab and great-grandson Abraham; grandson Eli Lewin; great grandaughters Reah Shine Cheryl and Zoey Riley Dawn Lewin, and numerous loving nieces, nephews and other extended family members and friends. Laurie was predeceased by his daughter, Cheryl Lewin, on January 19, 2010 and his wife Bernice (Bayla, née Claman) of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on April 9, 2017.
Laurie was born in Winnipeg on September 18, 1925. He attended the I.L. Peretz Folk School and graduated from St. John’s Tech High School, where he was a popular athlete and renowned for his hard work, even as a child, delivering newspapers. He served in the RCAF during the Second World War as a wireless operator, leaving with the rank of sergeant. Laurie married Bernice on November 27, 1948 and was married to her for more than 68 years. Laurie started his career selling advertising for the Winnipeg Free Press Weekly Farmer, followed by positions with J.J. Gibbons Ltd. and other agencies until he joined Foster Advertising Ltd. as Winnipeg manager in 1962. While with Foster, he helped organize The Spirit of ‘70 centennial celebrations for the Province of Manitoba and made Foster the agency of record for the province’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce. He was also an advisor to the late Dufferin “Duff” Roblin during Roblin’s tenure as Manitoba premier from 1958 to 1967. After leaving Foster in 1986 as Executive Vice President overseeing operations for all of Western Canada, Laurie continued to run his own agency, Laurie A. Mainster Advertising Ltd.
Laurie was known for his overwhelming efforts for the betterment of all levels of his community. He participated actively in promoting his city and province and donated much of his time on behalf of charitable and not-for-profit causes. His notable positions included: Director, City of Winnipeg Library Foundation; all offices up to and including President of the Central Canadian Council of B’nai Brith; President and member of the Board of Governors, I.L. Peretz Folk School; President and member of Executive/Board of Directors, Winnipeg Jewish Theatre; President, Rosh Pina Synagogue; Marketing/Public Relations Chairman, Asper Jewish Community Campus of Winnipeg Capital Building Campaign; President, Rainbow Stage Productions; Chair, I.L. Peretz Folk School 90th Anniversary Reunion, Aug.1-4, 2003; and co-producer, Mameloshen: Festival of Yiddish Entertainment and Culture. Laurie was also a member of the following organizations: Board of Directors and Executive Committee, Health Sciences Centre Foundation; Jewish National Fund Board of Directors; Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Board of Governors; Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada Board of Directors; Canadian Friends of Hebrew University; Canadian Associates of Ben Gurion University of the Negev Board of Governors; Congregation Etz Chayim; Variety Club of Winnipeg; Winnipeg Football Club Board of Directors; Seven Oaks General Hospital Foundation; Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors; General Monash Branch Royal Canadian Legion; and Canadian Associates of Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.
Laurie’s many community service awards included the Advertising Association of Winnipeg 1993 Director’s Award; Honorary Directorate from the Health Sciences Centre Foundation; plaque in honour of his efforts in the The Spirit of ’70 Campaign, Province of Manitoba; recognition of his work producing the official opening program for the Winnipeg Convention Centre in 1975; certificates of appreciation from the City of Winnipeg “For his selfless dedication and outstanding contribution to the success of Rainbow Stage” and from the Seven Oaks General Hospital Foundation; certificate in recognition of his “…years of leadership and dedication in support of the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada”; the Winnipeg Jewish Community Council Shem Tov Award in 1997 for his role as marketing/public relations chair for the Asper Jewish Community Campus; Special Community Award from State of Israel Bonds in celebration of Israel’s 50th Anniversary in 1998; special tribute in 2000 from the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba in recognition of “30 Years in the Life of the Community” and 30 years of volunteer service to the Foundation; and 2014 Shem Tov Award on behalf of the Rady Jewish Community Centre. He was a key fundraiser and organizer for the I. L. Peretz Folk School Yiddish Teaching Fellowship at the University of Manitoba and was active in organizing the Hebrew Congregation of Winnipeg Beach, a popular Saturday morning synagogue for many Jewish Winnipeggers.
Funeral services were held at Congregation Etz Chaim on Wednesday, April 10 and graveside at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery, led by Cantor Tracy Kasner Greaves. Pallbearers were Harold Gutovich, Shalom Coodin, Sheppy Coodin, Chaim Raber, David Coodin and Bernie Sucharov. Honorary pallbearers were Viktor Lewin, Chris Schwab, Dvora and Marshall Braunstein and Joel Dudeck. Thank you to everyone at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre and especially to Marilyn Roldan and other caregivers and staff from Friendly Caregiver’s Senior’s Care. Donations to honour Laurie can be made to the Bayla and Laurie Mainster Family Trust and the Laurie Mainster Community Visionary Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
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.