Obituaries
LEO PANITCH 1945 – 2020
Leo Panitch died on December 19, 2020 from pneumonia brought on by Covid – 19, contracted while in hospital being treated for cancer.
The ensuing outpouring of expressions of loss and tribute from socialist intellectuals and activists from around the world, from former students, as well as from many mainstream institutions, was testimony to his international reputation as a leading socialist scholar and public intellectual, as well as to the compelling nature of his character. He was a person of uncommon warmth and generosity.
Leo’s working – class origins were an important part of his intellectual formation. As he often said, his family’s experiences gave him a real sense of class inequities inherent in capitalism as well as a socialist sensibility. This empathy for working class people, and identification with their struggles to build a better life for themselves shaped his scholarship and indeed his life.
While he enjoyed a distinguished academic career, he was far from being ‘ivory tower’ academic. He sought a broad audience for his ideas and rarely turned down the opportunity to be seen or heard in the mass media, in the process becoming Canada’s foremost public socialist intellectual.
Beyond all of this, Leo was a charismatic individual with an unbridled passion for life. His interests ranged well beyond the scholarly and political spheres from the arts (especially jazz), to sports (notably football and the Bombers), to Jewish history and culture.
His family has been overwhelmed and moved by the outpouring of tributes to Leo and expressions of love. In response to the many inquiries as to where donations in his honour may be made we are excited to announce the Leo Panitch Scholarship at Merchants Corner. On Selkirk Avenue in Winnipeg’s North End where Leo grew up, there is a vibrant centre of community life called Merchants Corner. It is the site of the University of Winnipeg’s Department of Urban and Inner-city Studies. The relocation of this University program to the heart of North End Winnipeg to address many challenges facing the predominantly Indigenous people now living in the North End, is an innovative example of university- community engagement. It is here that the Leo Panitch Scholarship will be situated.
Leo himself had benefitted enormously from the educational opportunities made available in the North End, including the afterschool I.L. Peretz Folk School where instruction was in both Yiddish and English. Today, what is unique about Merchants Corner is the distinct Indigenous curriculum and its success in attracting students who traditionally would not have pursued higher education. This Scholarship at Merchants Corner will support students in the Department of Urban and Inner-City Studies at Merchants Corner who have academic ability, financial need and who have experiential knowledge of the North End. The Scholarship will also enable senior students to gain work experience as community outreach workers. They will be paid to go to North End high schools and junior high schools to make students aware of the opportunity to attend university right in their neighbourhood.
This scholarship resonates with Leo’s Winnipeg roots, his academic orientation, and his commitment to education and social justice. We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to invite your support for this remarkable project in the memory of this great and creative socialist thinker and activist, who never forgot his origins in Winnipeg’s North End.
Please forward charitable donations by cheque to The Winnipeg Foundation
For the Leo Panitch Scholarship at Merchants Corner 1350 – One Lombard Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0X3, Canada
Or by credit card at: https://www.wpgfdn.org/LeoPanitch
Obituaries
MAY TADMAN TALLMAN (nee MINDESS)
On June 10, 2024, the world lost a loving mother, grandmother and friend when May Tadman Tallman peacefully passed away at her home in her sleep, three days shy of her 100th birthday. In her final days May was surrounded by family members, Michael, Candis, Julia and Joshimar Tadman, Rebecca (Rebbie) and Alan Schacter and Bob and Cathy Tallman.
May was born on June 13, 1924, and grew up in the North End of Winnipeg. Her life changed when she attended a dance at Winnipeg Beach and a young man, Alexander B. Tadman (Alex), came up to her and asked if she would be his steady. On April 7, 1944, she and Alex (who later became a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants) were married. They raised two children, Michael and Roberta, and spent 51 very happy years together. During that time May did volunteer work with the Girl Guides of Canada, volunteered at various Winnipeg hospitals, was active in the bridge community and became president of the Chartered Accountants’ Wives Club of Manitoba. Alex died in 1995 while he and May were wintering in Palm Springs. May subsequently married a kind and loving gentleman, Daniel (Danny) Tallman in 1999. May was lovingly welcomed into the Tallman family and she and Danny spent 13 wonderful years together until his passing in 2012.
May enjoyed socializing at the Glendale Golf Club; she loved travelling and spent many of those long, cold Winnipeg winters in Palm Springs with Alex and then Florida with Danny. She travelled to Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Caymen Islands and enjoyed various cruises with her family. May was an avid bridge player and throughout the years belonged to many bridge groups and stopped playing only when prevented by her failing eyes and arthritic hands. She enjoyed shopping, entertaining and spending time with family and friends. May planned her meals like a chess master, always several meals ahead.
May was devoted to her family; nothing was more important to her. Their well-being and happiness came first and foremost to her.
May very much looked forward to and enjoyed family gatherings with her niece Rebbie (Alan) Schacter and their children and great-grandchildren. May always appreciated the welcoming and love the Schacter family extended to her. May also looked forward to and always enjoyed her lunch dates with her nephew Marty Tadman.
May retained her sense of humour, quick wit, warmth, charm and memory right to the end. Despite her physical pain and limitations, she didn’t complain and considered herself fortunate to be able to live in her own home and have the care that she received from Marian, Clem and Cora.
May was predeceased by her parents, Morris and Rebecca Mindess; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bill and Mary Mindess and Harry and Diana Mindess; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jack and Sooky Tadman and Bill and Anne Tadman; brothers-in-law, Harvey Tallman and Erwin Tallman; husbands, Alexander Tadman and Danny Tallman; daughter Roberta Chochinov and son Martin Tallman.
May is survived by her son Michael (Candis) Tadman, Gloria Tallman (whom May considered a daughter), son-in-law Ronald Chochinov, grandchildren, Julia (Joshimar) Tadman, Jennifer Chochinov, Carrie (Andy) Sundberg, Krissy Goodhand and Alexander Tallman. May leaves behind three great-grandchildren, Alexander and Bailey Sundberg and Morgan Tallman.
May was loved by her family and friends and will be greatly missed.
Obituaries
MATTHEW GLASS
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Matthew Glass, a beloved husband, father, grandfather (Zaida), and community pillar on Friday June 28, 2024. Matthew passed away at the age of 92, having lived a long and wonderful life alongside his devoted wife, Dianne. This August, they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, a testament to their enduring love and commitment.
Matthew was born in 1932 in Winnipeg to immigrant parents, and he was the third of four sons and grew up in an entrepreneurial household where his parents owned a corner grocery store in the North End of Winnipeg. Matthew was the only one of his siblings to pursue higher education, earning a professional degree in pharmacy. At the age of 18, he began an apprenticeship as a pharmacist and shortly after entered the faculty, graduating in 1954. This marked the beginning of a long and esteemed career as a community pharmacist.
Once he purchased his first pharmacy, Talbot Pharmacy in 1962, located at the corner of Talbot and Grey, and got married, Matthew began his long career serving generations of families in the community. He and Dianne spent the first ten years of their marriage without children, working hard at the pharmacy while traveling the world and sharing his love for the game of golf. In 1980 Matthew had the opportunity to open a second pharmacy in the same community, Munroe Pharmacy, located at the corner of Munroe and London. Later he would amalgamate both pharmacies at the one location. Matthew worked long hours and loved his profession, dedicating almost 60 years to pharmacy, with 50 of those years as a pharmacy owner in the Elmwood/East Kildonan community. He was deeply respected for his expertise, empathy, and respect.
As a pharmacist and pharmacy owner, Matthew had the privilege of not only managing people’s health and medication but also acting as their advocate, in many aspects of their life. He truly cared for his clients and their families, with generations seeking his services and guidance. Even though he retired over 10 years ago, he remained a cherished figure in the community, with many still asking about him and sharing kind words. At work he led by example with his strong work ethic, compassion and heart. He created a legacy at the pharmacy, one that his daughter Michelle, who followed in his footsteps, continues to uphold with pride.
Matthew was a role model and mentor for his family. He excelled in many activities, from winning bowling championships to curling and playing golf. He was very active throughout his life, achieving a hole-in-one in his 70s—a modest yet proud accomplishment. He supported the Arts with his wife with season tickets to the RWB, MTC, and Virtuosi to name a few.
Despite his busy career, Matthew made time for his family, especially as a Zaida to his three grandchildren, Miri, Gabi and Saully. Matthew was predeceased by his parents Fanny and Joseph Glass, siblings Ervin, David and Alfred Glass, son Frederick Glass.
Matthew is remembered as a kind, gentle, and generous man by all who knew him. He lived a full life, achieving everything he wanted to while being surrounded by his loving wife Dianne, daughter Michelle (Roni Estein) and his entire family. He leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and community service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a charity of your choice, in memory of Matthew Glass.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday July 2, 2024 at Chesed Shelemes and may be viewed at chesedshelemes.org
May his memory be a blessing.
Obituaries
Unveiling for Jerry Silbert
The family of the late Jerry Allan Silbert wishes to inform their relatives and friends of the unveiling of a headstone dedicated to his loving memory on: Sunday, July 14, 2024, 11:00am at the Rosh Pina Memorial Park 2795 Main St. Winnipeg, MB
Meal of Condolence to follow at the Congregation Etz Chaim, 1155 Wilkes Avenue Winnipeg, MB
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