Obituaries
LEYA TAPPER (née COGAN) March 30, 1946 – August 15, 2019
It is with great sadness, we announce the passing of our mother, baba, sister, and aunt at the age of 73.
Mom will be missed greatly by her loving family: husband Bernie, daughter Heather (Jeff) Koplovich daughter-in-law Lauren Tapper , brother Harvey Cogan, sisters – in- law Nessie and Marcia Cogan and Roslind Olin, brother -in -law Peter Olin grandchildren, Anna Aaron, Addison, Gabriel, and Alyssa, nieces and nephews as well as extended family and friends.
Mom was predeceased by her parents David and Bertha Cogan and by her son Richard.
Mom was born in Port Arthur, (now Thunder Bay), and moved to Winnipeg to be with her brothers when she was 16. She graduated from Garden City Collegiate. She then worked at Bnai Abraham Synagogue. She met my dad shortly after and they decided to work for her father who at the time owned a clothing store on Marion Street called David’s Men’s Wear. A few years later the name was changed to David’s His & Hers. After some tough times, they decided to close the store. Mom then stayed home for awhile to raise her family. When Richard and I were in school she decided to go back to work. She worked at the Royal Bank for many years. She enjoyed her work there and met many friends along the way. During that time, her and her brother Louie went into business together and started a property management company called C & T Holdings Ltd. They purchased properties and kept them as rentals. She loved to buy and sell properties; it was her passion. She enjoyed every aspect of the business. She also liked to travel, and she and my dad spent time in Palm Springs in the winter. It was her favorite place to go.
Mom was the most kind, considerate, loving, and compassionate person. Her family was her one and only priority and she made sure we were taken care of. Mom’s huge smile and positive attitude even through the most difficult times will be forever missed by all her friends and family.
The family would like to thank all the nurses and doctors that took wonderful care of her while she was in hospital. Especially a great big thank you to Dr Allan Schaffer who was there for my mom as a doctor and a friend.
Services were held on Monday August 19, 2019 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl and the staff at the synagogue.
Pallbearers were Allan Cogan, Joel Cogan, Gerald Olin, Elliot Olin, Hart Poskar and Jordan Farber.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to The Leya Tapper Memorial Fund at the Jewish Foundation 204-477-7525.
She will be missed by all, but her memory will live on in us forever.
Obituaries
ESTHER MINUK Dec. 27, 1932 – April 3, 2026
Esther Bat Hershel Ve Devorah
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Esther Minuk, beloved matriarch of our family. She was predeceased by her bashert, her beloved husband, Julius; her parents, Doris and Harry Golub; and her sister, Evelyn (Herbie).
Esther was a loving and proud mother, Baba, and Great-Baba to her children Yale, Rhonda (Tom), Perry (Abby), Jody, and Marla (Franklin); her grandchildren Jordan (Amy), Daniel (Allie), Allie (Jordan), Hannah, and Lily; and her great-grandchildren Julian, Aidan, and Eddie.
Known to many as `Queen Esther’, she led with kindness and integrity, always seeing the good in others. Her home was open and welcoming, filled with warmth, laughter, and love. She was sharp, compassionate, and deeply devoted to her family. We are heartbroken and forever grateful for the love and legacy she leaves behind. She will be eternally missed by her family.
Memorial donations may be made to B’nai Brith of Canada Foundation, 416-633-6224, https://bit.ly/4bRsabI or Sunnybrook Foundation, 416-480-4483, www.sunnybrook.ca/foundation
Obituaries
MILTON FREEDMAN
It is with profound sadness and much love that I announce the passing of Milton Freedman on October 30th, 2025, three months after we celebrated his 100th birthday. Milton was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Peter, his older brother Sam, and his younger brother Sid, with whom he shared a very special relationship. He is survived by his wife Joanie, his sister Ruby Donner, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a great-great nephew.
Family and friends meant everything to Milton, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. He was gentle and kind, quiet and dignified, thoughtful and wise. He gave the best advice, but only if asked.
Milton and I liked to travel, and for many years spent the winter in Palm Springs. We also travelled to Europe and England, and felt most at home in London. We reminisced endlessly about the river cruises we went on, and the amazing places we had the opportunity to visit, whether it was having dinner at a restaurant overlooking the North Sea, or attending a private concert at a palace in Vienna, or tasting Black Forest cake especially prepared for us, while we were in Germany’s Black Forest region. It all was stunning, magical, delicious. But it was the people we met along the way, who made everything even more special, and we never forgot them.
Milton was an avid reader, inhaling newspapers, magazines, and books as if they were oxygen. Remarkably, he remembered much of what he read, and it wasn’t unusual for him to quote a passage from a book that he had read years earlier, if it was relevant to a conversation. It was not to show off…that wasn’t who he was.
Milton was a runner, and for years ran ten miles, three times a week. On the days he didn’t run, he walked outdoors for two and a half hours. Eventually, he gave up running, preferring to walk seven days a week no matter the season, no matter the weather. This continued until he was well into his 80’s. And even in his 90’s Milton remained determined to walk, at first using one cane, then two, then a walker. When he was asked, how he did it, Milton simply said, “Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.” On occasion he might add, “And eventually you’ll get to where you’re going.”
Sage advice.
Milton is deeply missed, and will forever be remembered.
Obituaries
MARLI REBECCA SILVERMAN
Marli Rebecca Silverman passed away on March 11th at the age of 43 from end-stage renal disease. She lived her life with meaning, courage, and resilience, and touched everyone who knew her with her strength, warmth, and spirit.
She leaves behind her beloved daughter, Rylee, who was the light of her life; her father, Bruce; her brother, Matthew; Rylee’s father, Drake; and many family members and dear friends who will carry her memory forward with love.
Marli will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the impact she made on those around her.
May her memory be a blessing.
Donations in Marli’s memory may be made to Breakthrough T1D (breakthrought1d.ca).