Obituaries
LESLIE S. LITMAN 1936 – 2023
eacefully, at the Simkin Centre, Leslie Litman passed away on Monday, May 22, 2023, with his family nearby. Burial was at the B’nay Abraham Cemetery where he was laid to rest next to his mother and father, Gertie and Peter Litman. Pallbearers at his funeral were Lorry Litman, James Litman, Ethan Morantz, Sean Morantz, Jeremy Morantz, and Michael Litman. Honorary pallbearers were Richard Morantz, Marty Morantz, and Harvey Turbovsky.
Leslie had a long and successful career as a Chartered Accountant. He was highly respected by his clients and his colleagues at KPMG, where he was a partner for many years.
A kind, gentle, and charming man, Leslie was a good neighbor and friend. He was always dependable and ready to help others. He believed in the importance of volunteering and doing good in the community. He was a member of the board of the B’nay Abraham Synagogue, and served as its president. He was a longtime member of the Masons, serving as the Treasurer for several years. He was also a founding member of the FortWhyte Centre. Leslie was like a country doctor. He made house calls to his elderly clients to do their taxes and was available to them as needed. They showed their appreciation by sending him home with home-baked pastries.
Leslie and his wife, Carol, enjoyed travelling in their RV around Canada and the United States. They later spent their summers in their RV at the campground in Gimli, Manitoba, where many longtime friends also had trailers and where Leslie’s two favorite pastimes were fishing and socializing. Ardent fans of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he and Carol had season tickets for a number of years. Leslie loved Tai Chi and was dedicated to its practice for many years. In his 70s Leslie learned how to play the flute. He loved playing the flute; he enjoyed his weekly flute lessons with his teacher, Monica, and looked forward to participating in the annual recital she held for her students. Most of all, Leslie adored his forever furry friends, first Charlie and then Tao. Three times a day, every day, he took his dog out for a walk. He would encounter neighbors and stop and chat. He and Charlie and Tao were well loved in the neighborhood.
Leslie was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Gertie Litman; his in-laws, Lorry and Shirley Turbovsky; his daughter, Kathy Robin Litman; his son, Michael Richard Seth Litman; and his sister, Pearl Morantz; as well as his dogs, Charlie and Tao. Left to mourn him are Carol Litman, his wife of 52 years; his children Lorry Litman, James Litman, Nancy Litman, and Maureen Litman; his grandson Michael Litman; his sister Judy Diamond, and his many friends and relatives.
The family would like to thank Dr. Phil Garber, Leslie’s cardiologist, for his many years of caring for Leslie. They would also like to thank all the staff of the Palliative Care ward at the St. Boniface Hospital for their exceptional care during the two and a half months Leslie was there as well as the St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care Team and the staff of Weinberg 2 at the Simkin Centre for their care in Leslie’s final days.
May his name be a blessing and the memory of his life remain a cherished legacy to all who knew him.
Contributions in Leslie’s memory can be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society, the MS Society of Canada, or to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
LOUIS COLISH FEBRUARY 15, 1945 – APRIL 23, 2025
With great sadness, we announce the unexpected passing of Louis Colish at the Health Sciences Centre, surrounded by friends. He was predeceased by his parents, William (Bill) and Bessie, whom he deeply cherished. Loui considered his father to be his best friend and he was a devoted caregiver to his mother in her later years.
Born in Winnipeg on February 15, 1945, Louis grew up in Garden City. He had a long and fulfilling career as a Reference Librarian at the West Kildonan Library, where he assisted countless patrons with their questions. Even in retirement, people he would meet often recognized him as “the librarian”.
Louis cherished his relationships with his family and friends. Those who had the privilege of knowing him described him as incredibly friendly, one of their favourite people, and simply the nicest guy.
A lifelong learner, Louis treasured his extensive book collection, with a particular love for astronomy and the works of Carl Sagan. He delighted in sharing stories of his travels to Europe, Hawaii, Arizona, Disney World, and his most cherished destination, Israel. He also enjoyed attending his bowling league, the Rady JCC’s senior program, and the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre. He loved music from the 1940s and 50s and delighted in performing his favourite tunes in talent shows at the Rady JCC and Gwen Secter programs.
Louis was a devoted member of the Rosh Pina and Etz Chayim synagogues. Fellow congregants fondly remember his passionate and dramatic chanting of the Prayer for Peace from the bimah—a heartfelt expression of his deep hope for a peaceful world.
A graveside service was held on April 25, 2025, at Rosh Pina Memorial Park.
Louis was a kind and generous soul who will be missed but never forgotten.
Obituaries
HERB SINGER
Peacefully, with his family by his side, Herb Singer passed away on April 3, 2025.
He is survived by his daughters, Leslie (Sheppy Coodin), Marnie and Sheryl (Kevin Segall). He is also survived by grandchildren, Josh Glow (Leah), Sari Glow, Justin Segall and Hayden Segall, his brother Earl (Mimi), and sisters-in-law, Maureen Steinfeld (Leo) and Bonnie Dressler (Kenny). He was predeceased by his wife Myrna, his parents, Anne and Dave Singer and in-laws, Irma and Harry Nepon.
Herb was born on February 26, 1944, in Winnipeg and spent his early years on the family farm in Ratcliffe, Saskatchewan before the family moved into the city, eventually settling on Smithfield in the North End.
Herb attended West Kildonan Collegiate, excelling in both academics and sports. Herb and Myrna grew up between Salter and Aikins but did not attend the same high school because the back lane between Smithfield (where Herb lived) and McAdam (where Myrna lived) was the dividing marker for St. John’s and West Kildonan. They met in 1960, having been introduced by a neighbour of Myrna’s who was friends with Herb. It was love at first sight; they married in 1966 after graduating from the University of Manitoba.
Herb received his CA designation in 1972. He began his career in public practice but then switched to working as the controller of GIII Limited, which he said allowed him to spend more time with his family.
Herb and Myrna loved spending summers with their girls travelling to Detroit Lakes with other Winnipeggers. Later years found the family travelling campgrounds in Canada and the US in the trailer and finally settling in for summers at Gimli, where the family has happy memories of days at the beach and nights by the campfire.
Herb was an athlete all his life; he played basketball and football as a teenager and then played squash, tennis, racquetball and golf as an adult. Herb spent much of his retirement on the golf courses with friends and grandchildren and also loved his bowling league.
Herb and Myrna loved travelling and together explored China, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, England and Israel just to mention a few places.
Herb was an extremely social person and connected with many people over the years through golf, bowling, bridge and through winters in Palm Springs.
Herb was a supporter of community organizations over his years. He helped organize fundraising dinners for Talmud Torah when his children were students, he was umpire at his girls’ baseball games and in later years, he helped with fundraising at Congregation Etz Chayim, particularly with the yearly Golf tournament as well as the Lottery Brunch. He also donated blood well over 100 times.
His most rewarding role was that of Zaida. He loved spending time with his grandchildren whether it was attending concerts, games or marking a special occasion. He would always make sure his freezer was full of meatballs and ice cream and his cupboard was full of treats for their visits.
Herb loved watching sports on TV and rarely missed a Bomber or Jets game. He particularly enjoyed watching with his family and friends and thought himself an excellent armchair coach!
A funeral service was held at Chesed Shel Emes with burial at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on April 4, 2025.
Those who are wishing to honour Herb are encouraged to make a donation in his memory to Congregation Etz Chayim or to the charity of their choice.
Obituaries
YHETTA MIRIAM GOLDCM, OM, BA
September 3, 1929 – April 25, 2025
Yhetta passed away at home on her own terms.
As per her wishes, there will be no service.
The family would like to thank Realcare Inc, particularly Kristina, Ana, Agrima and Chantal for their compassion and expertise.
For those that would like to make a donation in her memory, please consider a gift to the Yhetta Gold Campership Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 123 Doncaster Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3N 2B4, jewishfoundation.org, or to a charity of your choice.
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