Obituaries
LOUIS COGAN
On Monday, July 16, 2018, Louis Cogan passed away peacefully in his home at the age of 83 surrounded by his family.
Predeceased by his parents David and Bertha Cogan, he is survived by his wife of 57 years Marcia (nee Katz), his children Susan (Yair Shachar-Hill), Karen (Neil Grahn), Joel (Jessica Cogan) and his grandchildren, David, Essie, Sydney, Becca, Rachel, Lauren, and Benjamin; brother Harvey Cogan (Nessie), sister Leya Tapper (Bernie), sister-in-law Adrienne Katz and many nieces and nephews.
Lou was born March 18, 1935 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, in what was then Fort William. He worked in a grocery store at the age of 15 and at 17 worked night shift at the Abitibi Paper Mill in Port Arthur. On Saturdays he worked up to 14 hours a day at Safeway as a bagger. As a young man, he worked as a door-to-door salesman with his brother Harvey selling Fuller Brushes to save money for university.
He moved to Toronto to attend Dental School at the University of Toronto where he was an honour student and lived at the Alpha Omega Jewish Fraternity House. After graduating from Dentistry, he moved to Winnipeg in the fall of 1958, practicing for a short time in Emerson Manitoba. He then spent nearly 40 years running highly successful dental practices in Windsor Park and on Marion Street in Winnipeg. Over the years he was actively involved as a member of the Manitoba Dental Society, the Winnipeg Dental Society and the Alpha Omega Fraternity serving as president and as regent. He retired from dental practice in 1996 and focused on real estate and business endeavours.
Lou lived life to the fullest and enjoyed playing tennis and golf with friends at Glendale Country Club and schmoozing at The Asper Campus. He loved travel, fishing trips, spending time in Scottsdale, hockey games, listening to music of all kinds, and spending good times with family and dear friends.
The seeds of Jewish community involvement were planted in Young Judea and later he served as the President of the local chapter of Technion. An active participating member of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, he was a Zionist and a strong supporter of the State of Israel visiting many times with his wife Marcia and taking his beloved father on two special occasions. He was dedicated to canvassing for Jewish causes and Israel and gave generously to both the Jewish community and the community at large. On September 28, 2004 he ensured his legacy would continue in perpetuity becoming a signer in the Endowment Book of Life for the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Family was everything to Lou and his love was returned in full measure. He was grateful to celebrate all his grandchildren’s B’nai Mitzvot and it was a lifetime highlight for him to celebrate his own second Bar Mitzvah at the age of 83.
The family gratefully appreciates the loving support of Heather Tapper, Hart Poskar, Lara London, and Rhiannon Boyko, and wishes to thank the many professionals who supported Lou through all his medical challenges including Chuck and Glenn from Meyers Drugs, the Heart Failure Clinic, Drs. Marvin Slutchuk, Pamela Katz, Grant Goldberg, Mark Clarke, Paul Komenda, Mel Bottner, and the Palliative Care Team. We are grateful for his kind and dedicated caregivers Rose Ruperto, Lynn Carmichael, Cherry May Pellegrino and Chris Ruedas. Most especially, Lou relied on his nighttime caregiver Elvin Pellegrino, who went above and beyond to support Lou in every way possible.
Funeral services were held at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 2 pm. Pallbearers were Joel Cogan, Neil Grahn, Danny Hamburg, Hart Poskar, Yair Shachar-Hill and Norman Shore. Honourary Pallbearers were Zivie Chudnow, Jeff Koplovitch, David Shachar-Hill, Frank Short and Bernie Tapper.
Lou’s life was a life well lived. He will forever be missed and will always be remembered with love.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honour of Lou can be made to the The Louis and Marcia Cogan Family Trust Fund through the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba (204)477-7520.
Obituaries
ALAN LEVY
On January 6, Alan Levy, age 71, died at Grace Hospital with his wife and daughters by his side.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Alan spent his childhood in the North End and later moved to River Heights, where his family settled on Brock Street.
After studying in Winnipeg and Tel Aviv, Alan moved to Toronto, where he lived for over 30 years. It was in Toronto where he raised a family with his first wife, Sylvia Bashevkin, worked in public sector human resources and fell in love with Chinese food.
In 2017, after brief stints as an academic in Regina and Brandon, Alan moved back home to the Peg, where he spent many fulfilling years with his devoted wife of 20 years, Cheryl Karlinsky, and their loving dogs. In his later career, he was appointed to the Labour Relations Board of Canada where he served as a skilled adjudicator and proud Canadian.
Alan was endlessly proud of his family, daughters Dalia Levy and Aviva Levy (Adam Walman) of Toronto, and two grandsons, Jonah and Ethan.
Predeceased by his parents Sheldon and Audrey Levy (nee Myers) of Winnipeg, Alan was a dedicated news junkie with a sharp sense of humour. He thrived most when discussing current events, cracking jokes and debating geopolitical crises. Much to his family’s frustration, he would stay up all night glued to the news, and they’d wake up to endless articles he’d shared the night before.
Alan had an exceptionally strong spirit of generosity and focus on ‘tikkun olam’ – repairing the world, which lives on in his children and grandchildren. His family is grateful to the staff at Simkin for providing him with a phenomenal level of care over the last few years, especially Dr. Chung and Sara Reid, Assistant Director of Care. Special thanks to Paul, Victor and Almaze, his kind and patient caregivers.
The funeral took place at Chesed Shel Emes on January 8.
Donations in his memory can be made to The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre https://www.simkincentre.ca.
Obituaries
DENNIS GERALD DITLOVE NOVEMBER 25, 1936 – DECEMBER 1, 2025
Dennis Gerald Ditlove was a man of integrity, kindness, generosity and most of all, humor. He was born on November 25, 1936 in the small town of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the son of Louis and Faye Ditlove, and if you knew him at all, you heard plenty of stories about his childhood there. Dennis was a man of unparalleled resolve and an entrepreneur who built Inland Steel through grit and determination.
He retired from Inland Steel in Saskatoon, SK in 1987, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and innovation. His unwavering commitment to his work was only outshone by his love for his family and his community in Rancho Mirage, California. Dennis was a man of many talents and passions but he was best known for the relationships he cultivated with everyone he met, and his unparalleled sense of humor.
Dennis is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy; and his loving children, Mark (Wendy) Ditlove, Shari Snow and Cindy (Stuart) Tapper; beloved grandchildren, Matthew (Mary) Ditlove, Jacob (Sydney) Ditlove, Danielle (Eli) Dresner, Emily (Max) Snow, Max Bermont, Jillian Snow, Jonah Tapper, Leo Tapper and Henry Tapper; and adored great-grandchildren, Sam and Wynn Ditlove, Goldie and Bernie Dresner. His legacy lives on in them, in the lessons he taught them and the love he gave. He was a pillar of strength and a beacon of wisdom in their lives, providing them with a firm foundation on which to build their own successes.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Faye Ditlove; his sister Zora (Walter) Stern; his first wife, Marlene Ditlove; and son-in-law Howard Snow. While there is sorrow in his passing, there is also joy in celebrating a life well-lived, a life that left indelible marks on the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
A service to honor and commemorate Dennis’s life was held on Friday December 5th at the Adath Yeshurin Cemetery Chapel in Minneapolis.
We invite his family and friends to visit www. hodroff.com/DennisDitlove to rewatch the service. Contributions in name can be be made to the Jewish Federation of the Desert, 69710 CA-111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. May his memory be a blessing.
Obituaries
DEBORAH DOLLY CHISICK (nee SEGAL) NOVEMBER 30, 1942 – DECEMBER 19, 2025
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Dolly Chisick on Friday, December 19th, at the age of 83. Dolly passed peacefully with her family by her side. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her children, Shannon Chisick-Harman and Sean Chisick; her grandson, Charlie Harman; her siblings, Elaine (Paul) Olin and Barney Segal; her husband, Ernie Chisick; and her nephews, nieces, and many friends. Dolly was predeceased by her beloved parents, Sam Segal in 1998, and Louise Segal in 2006. Dolly was born on November 30, 1942, in Toronto, Ontario. After a few years, her family settled in Winnipeg, where she spent her formative years growing up on Lansdowne Avenue. Dolly graduated from teachers’ college in 1962 and married Ernie in 1964.
Together, they travelled the world, stopping at every museum along the way.
An extraordinary art teacher, Dolly’s career spanned more than fifty years. A gifted educator and passionate artist, she inspired generations of students and instilled in them a lifelong love and appreciation for art. Her creativity, patience, and encouragement left a lasting impact on all who learned from her. Dolly was a deeply caring person who truly loved people, always opening her home and making everyone feel welcome. Her energy was endless. An extraordinary cook, she was especially known for her famous challah buns, lovingly baked and shared, which became a symbol of her care, hospitality, and the comfort she brought to those she loved.
Family and connection were the most important things in Dolly’s life, and she nurtured those bonds with warmth and generosity. Above all else, she adored her children and, later, her grandson, Charlie, taking immense pride and joy in being a devoted Bubi. The bonds and connections Dolly shared with those she loved will remain deeply felt, a lasting source of comfort and strength, and an enduring part of her legacy.
The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Riverview for their exemplary care and compassion over the past several years. Funeral services were held on Monday, December 22nd, at the Chesed Shel Emes, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were Owen Davidson, Myles Davis, Marc Goldberg, Michael Goldberg, Jordan Hochman, and Jordan Farber.
In memory of Dolly, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada or the charity of your choice.