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
DAVID BLOOMFIELD
Sadly, David Bloomfield passed peacefully on December 19, 2024, age 79.
David was predeceased by his parents, Marion and Phillip Bloomfield, and older brothers, Joel and Auby. David will be deeply missed and mourned by his wife, Sheila, of 56 years, the love of his life, his children, Brenlee (Michael) and Evan (Ellen), as well as cherished grandchildren, Matthew, Aaron, Lainee, and Lauren. David shared close relationships with his younger sisters, Naomi and Judi, and with their husbands, Shmuel and Larry, and with his sister-in-law, Linda. David also enjoyed meaningful relationships with each of his nieces and nephews.
David was born on January 20, 1945, and grew up in Winnipeg’s North End. He enjoyed many summers at his grandmother’s cottage in Winnipeg Beach, the place he first met Sheila. His love of the outdoors and beach life continued throughout his life.
David was proud of the varied jobs he held and businesses he created across his life. He opted for early retirement from Air Canada choosing to become an independent business owner, purchasing, developing, and operating three Subway restaurants. In later years he bought and sold RV trailers and was always the consummate deal maker.
Throughout his life, David was very involved in his community. He was a very active member of multiple synagogue boards and committees across several decades, later became an active member of his condo board, and ultimately continued to share his opinions and ideas as a resident of both the Courtyards and the Simkin Centre.
David enjoyed his down time and valued his relationships with family and friends. He loved simple things, like Sunday drives with Sheila. He relished weekly lunch and regular casino dates with Auby and enjoyed travelling with Sheila and his siblings and their spouses. David and Sheila enjoyed many holiday meals at Brenlee and Michael’s home over the years and made wonderful memories at Evan and Ellen’s Loni Beach cottage. Early retirement allowed David significant opportunity for travel, especially on cruises with Sheila, in North America, the Caribbean, and Europe. David owned various travel trailers over 30 plus years and enjoyed winters RVing in Texas and local “Good Sam Club” campground meet ups. He introduced his children to RVing in the 1980s, and later shared his love for RVing with his grandchildren.
Huge thanks to David’s sister Judi Fielding, and brother-in-law, Larry Fielding, who provided David significant support, and significantly improved his quality of life in the final few years. Thank you to staff of Simkin Centre who provided excellent care of David during his final year. For those who choose, donations can be made to the Simkin Centre or Jewish Child and Family Services. Further details: e_bloomfield@yahoo.ca
Obituaries
ANNETTE FREDA MINUK (NEE MASSIE) June 25, 1924 – December 21, 2024
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother who left us peacefully on December 21, 2024 at the age of 100. She was laid to rest beside her late husband Harry at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbears attending were Kevin Minuk, Blake Minuk, Hayley Trenholm, Doug West, Simmie Globerman and Keith Levit.
Annette is survived by her children, Arlene West (Doug), Sheldon (Shoshana), Jeffrey (Harriet); grandchildren Kimberley (Chris) Kevin (Simmie), Blake (Chelsea), Hayley (Chris) and Harel; her great grandchildren Kyler, Krewyn, Charlotte, Annie, Lachlan and sister in law Yetta Levit. She was predeceased by her husband Harry, her parents Rebecca and Dalton, her brother Jack Massie, brothers and sisters in law, Max and Clara Zamick, Norman and Molly Lachter, Norman and Goldie Minuk, Evie and Jack Rosenbaum and Jack Levit.
Annette was truly one of a kind. She was a warm and loving person whose kindness touched the lives of everyone who knew her.
Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to her family always putting their needs ahead of hers. She was always there for all the kids and grandkids activities over the years. She was present at countless milestones and activities, celebrating every achievement with unwavering pride and joy. Her wisdom and compassion were a guiding light, and she had the extraordinary ability to make everyone feel special, valued and deeply loved. She will be remembered for her generous heart, infectious smile and the countless memories that will forever live in our hearts.
Mom will be missed each and everyday, but now she is with our Dad where she wanted to be.
As we say goodbye, we celebrate her remarkable life and the enduring legacy of love she leaves behind. Her spirit will continue to inspire us, and she will always be cherished and missed.
Obituaries
LOUIS ELFENBAUM March 12, 1936 – December 9, 2024
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Dr. Louis Elfenbaum. Louis was a popular Professor of Kinesiology at California State University, Sacramento. He taught for 38 years and then retired and moved to San Diego, California, with his wife, Elizabeth.
Born in rural Lipton, Saskatchewan, on March 12, 1936, Louis was the youngest of six children of Abraham and Dora Elfenbaum. With his siblings, Louis braved the harsh Canadian climate to maintain the family farm.
At age 14, Louis moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he lived with his sister and attended St. John’s High School. In high school, Louis was extremely popular, an excellent student, an accomplished athlete, and was voted school president.
After high school, Louis studied at Manitoba Teachers’ College and began his teaching career. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State College in Minnesota, followed by a Master of Science in Physical Education from the University of North Dakota. He earned his Doctorate in Kinesiology from Ohio State University in 1966. His early professorships were at West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M) and prestigious McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
In 1970, Louis accepted a full professorship at California State University, Sacramento where he taught Kinesiology for close to four decades. During his tenure as a professor, Louis pursued his interest in law, earning his J.D. degree from Lincoln Law School in 1982.
Louis cared deeply about his students, offering a special lecture about life that attracted students not only from his department, but also from the entire university. He valued intellectual curiosity and fostered that spirit in his students as well as his four children, who have all pursued higher education earning advanced degrees.
Louis had a magnetic personality. He was kind, patient, generous, caring, honest and selfless. Those attributes had a lasting positive impact on everyone he met. He was adored by his family including his children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins, who greatly valued his wisdom, his guidance and his unconditional love.
Louis is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Lefcort, (pre-deceased by his ex-wife Esther—d. 2018–and mother of) his four children, Adrian Elfenbaum (JoAnne Winter), Ian Elfenbaum (Susan Adler), Marcia Elfenbaum, Pamela Elfenbaum (David Klein), 2 stepchildren, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
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