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
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.